For good – quality roots, a rich, friable (crumbly) loam is important. If straight roots are desired for skirted or salsify, then any obstacles like stones or other rubbish should be removed and the plants thinned out so that the roots do not spiral around each other. Ginseng can be grown in this climate. It lays a good, rich, moist loam under a shady tree. But it should have crisp winter frosts and snow to force the goodness back into the root each winter and it requires seven years to produce top quality medicinal roots.
Several herbs can be increase by dividing the roots of the plant into sections, each with a growing tip. This also reduces overcrowding of roots. If you inspect a two – or – three – year – old primrose or cowslip you will see it appears to be several different small plants. Separate each gently which is easiest to do when the soil is dry. Bistort, chives, costmary, elecampane, good King Henry, lawn chamomile, lemon balm, linage, lungwort, marjoram’s, meadowsweet, moonwort, skirted, sorrel, sweet Joe Pye, sweet violet, tansy, tarragon, wall germander and wormwood, as well as the cowslip and primrose, can be propagated this way. Horseradish, skirted and comfrey can be grown from root cuttings. Slice thick lengths of root into 2-3-in (5-8cm) long pieces and insert them vertically (the same way they were growing) into potting compost with a ¼ - in (6-mm) layer of sand on top. Water regularly until shoots appear, then transplant to a permanent site.
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