[cc]

I have some in place from last year. Trimmed to about an inch (can't remember  exactly)). Then earthed up. They de earthed themselves very quickly!
First at what point, height wise should I cut the leaves. They are about 5 inches and very tasty. I could earth them up again.
Second what effect does cutting the leaves off have on the salsify root. I want the best of both.

[New shoot]

Is it a crop you sowed last year and have overwintered in the ground?

If so, they will be on the move to shoot up and flower as soon as they can.  I would take a couple crops of leaves at the most, then dig the roots up.  I think it is only the very young leaves that are palatable.  If you use older leaves is it only the bottom end that is eaten,  but letting them grow tall is of no benefit to you as it will sap the root.

The flowers are very pretty and bees love them.

[cc]

Is it a crop you sowed last year and have overwintered in the ground?

If so, they will be on the move to shoot up and flower as soon as they can.  I would take a couple crops of leaves at the most, then dig the roots up.  I think it is only the very young leaves that are palatable.  If you use older leaves is it only the bottom end that is eaten,  but letting them grow tall is of no benefit to you as it will sap the root.

The flowers are very pretty and bees love them.

They are an overwinterined crop. Late. They are very small (the roots). Will they grow to full size. Specially if i keep them from flowering?

[New shoot]

Will they grow to full size. Specially if i keep them from flowering?

I think it is a biennial so no they won’t.  It does self seed if you let it flower, so you if you think the roots are too small to bother with, you could just use the bulk of the plants as a leaf crop and let a couple flower for a supply next year.