[PennyS]

But if you can eat something, and you like it; doesn't the fact that it keeps coming back make it a good thing?

Yes!
I also decided to grow it again because in the lotty loam I should be able to leave it in over winter so that'll be handy.  (I've only grown it on clay at home, not so ideal for standing).

I do find it really delicious so I have no problems if it wants to take up permanent residence.  Must say the plants are lookign really really strong and healthy.  Yum.
 

[peapod]

I want to try this, but I hate it when I have to peel thin roots.  As said above, snips seem to have more 'payback' for the time and space. 

I wonder how well salsify germinates (cant be worse than snips) and John has had me intrigued by writing about them in VGMbM for ages.

I'll have a look for seeds one day.....(if its not in wilkos in front of my face I struggle to remember what I want/need)

[PennyS]

I wonder how well salsify germinates (cant be worse than snips) and John has had me intrigued by writing about them in VGMbM for ages.

I had absolutely no problem with germination - sowed straight into the soil and they came up very well - have had to do quite a bit of thinning! I'd say germination rate was very high indeed.

Good luck!