Salsify,

[Nature's Babe]

First time planting salsify, it's growing strongly, green and healthy not sure when they are ripe for harvest, how to know when ready?

[Mike Vogel]

I dg it up in early to mid spring. I'm sure it could easily be dug in the atumn. Don't leave it too late, though, or it will go to seed at the expense of the root. But leave a couple to flower and collect the seeds.

Now that you have done salsify well, try scorzonera. I prefer it, but it is much more difficult to dig out completely. Iy doesn't matter; the bit of root you leave in the ground will sprout and you have a new plant. As with salsify, let a couple of plants flower and you'll have next year's seeds.

[John P]

I lift mine late september mid october,but as Mike says they can be left until early spring. I would also agree with Mike that Scorzonera are worth trying