[julietmaria]

I have about 7 salsify plants in my garden (new house moved last September) which are growing in rather odd places, ie in the flower beds and some in the lawn.  They have flowered and now have lovely seed heads, or fluffy head things.  I am hoping that I can dig them up in the autumn and eat them.  Is that the right time to dig them up?   But my main question thought is can I save the seed?  When do I take the seeds and anyone know which part of the fluffy head is the seed?   And when should I plant the seeds? 

Just a side note, my new garden has been full of wonderful surprises.  It has been neglected and is rather overgrown.  But I have found Artichokes, both globe and jeruselum. wild strawberries and salisfy. Apple and plum trees.  Not to mention lots of lovely non veg plants   And a green house 

Thanks in advance for any replies.
Julietx

[Trillium]

I don't grow it myself, but here's a good growing reference which should answer most of your questions:
http://www.harvestwizard.com/2009/02/how_to_grow_salsify.html
Be sure it's from the purple flowered heads you gather and not the wild yellow flowered variety. The seed itself is the whole fluffy thing, just like dandelion seeds.

I do know that salsify seeds are viable only for a year so if you plan to save seeds, you'll need to do it every year and toss out the old as the germination rate will be next to nil by the 2nd year. It also depends on how they''re stored - preferably in paper in a closed tin kept in a dry cool place. These factors also affect viability.