03.
Cultivation & Harvesting
considerations for growing and harvesting madder
climate
Madder grows in full sun, often found in waste spaces, hedgerows or cultivated beds.
soil
Madder prefers loamy soils—soils of sand and clay—with a constant level of moisture.
growing
Seeds should be sown in a cold frame as soon as ripe, since stored seed can be very slow
to germinate. Once large enough to handle, the seedlings can be transplanted
and grown in light shade in the greenhouse for the first year.
They can be planted out into their permanent garden locations in the early summer. If kept well watered until established, divisions can
take place in spring or at any time during the growing season. Larger divisions can be
planted out directly into their permanent garden locations.
harvesting
Madder roots are harvested in the autumn from plants that are at least 3 years old. They are peeled and then dried, also ground into powder.
preserving
Store dried madder root in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.