How to plant milkweed

Sonchus oleraceus Milkweed is a bitter-tasting vegetable, usually eaten boiled or braised. The milkweed has seeds that can be carried by the wind over great distances, and being a resistant and fast growing plant, it has become an invasive plant, being easily found growing in plantations and even in abandoned urban land, in regions that have a favorable climate for her, all over the world. Climate Milkweed grows best in mild weather, without extremes in temperature. Brightness It should be grown by receiving direct sunlight for at least a few hours a day. Ground Cultivate in well-drained, fertile soil and rich in organic matter. This plant is quite tolerant in terms of soil type, but the ideal soil pH is 5.5 to 6.5. Irrigation Irrigate in order to keep the soil always moist, without being soaked. Planting The seeds can be sown in the final location of the garden or in beds, sowing and other containers, at a maximum depth of 1 cm. Seedlings are transplanted when they have at least 4 true leaves. The spacing between the plants can be approximately 30 cm to obtain plants with the best development, but a smaller spacing can also be used. Milkweed can also be grown easily in pots and planters. Cultivation Remove invasive plants that are competing for resources and nutrients. Milkweed is a common invader in plantations and pastures, but in some cases it can be tolerated, not always needing to be removed and can also serve as food for both humans and animals (pigs and sheep, for example, appreciate this herb very much ). Milkweed can be grown between the lines of other crops, such as onion, tomato and corn. Harvest Harvesting the entire plant can be done at any point in the life cycle of the plants, but preferably before flowering begins. The adult plant can sprout if only the aerial part is harvested, without pulling out the roots.