Bulk/Volume Production of Dandelion and Chicory

Hi Sergi,

Welcome to the forum!

What advice would you have if one had the objective of growing significant amounts of chicory and dandelion for the roots - to roast for coffee substitute? So anything related to large scale planting (1 - 5 acres) and harvesting.

Appreciate any and all thoughts.

Thanks!

What are dandelions good for?

My first search showed a link to Amazon. They have capsules, tea, raw root, roasted root, extract, seeds, etc. Now you may want to fly under the radar and not have to get your stuff certified, I am sure the right farmer markets would be great places to sell your product.

Here is a video Paul Wheaton did with Michael "Skeeter" Pilarski, famous permaculture instructor and wildcrafter, talking about the street value of dandelions and polyculture.



Preparation of Roots for Coffee Use



Tea from the Flowers


Dandelion root is well known among herbalist around the globe for its direct effect on purifying the blood and detoxifying the liver. Learn more about how the tea is used for all sorts of conditions from allergies to skin disorders. We'll share a simple dandelion tea recipe and the variety of ways you can use this cleansing herb.



Dandelion Honey?



Dandelion Salve



Dandelion Vinegar



Here is a mention of a 6 acre farm and an experts advice of growing the root.6 Acre Farm

I forgot wine and chicken feed.

Hmmmmmm. I can't say that I've considered growing large amounts of wild edibles before. I like the hunt and prefer to keep it small.
I suppose if one were to try and grow loads of chicory and dandelion, he or she would need to gather some seeds and spread them in a
field just like you would with conventional crops.

Sergei Boutenko wrote:Hmmmmmm. I can't say that I've considered growing large amounts of wild edibles before. I like the hunt and prefer to keep it small.
I suppose if one were to try and grow loads of chicory and dandelion, he or she would need to gather some seeds and spread them in a
field just like you would with conventional crops.

I do this! I don't grow chicory and dandelion commercially but I do grow quite a bit for our own use. We bought special chicory seed years ago from Wild Garden Seed, and have been saving seed ever since. For dandelions we don't try to plant them but we do leave them wherever they volunteer. The children are diligent about blowing every dandelion wish flower they find.

Our soil seems to be good for root crops, it's a bit sandy. Dandelion and chicory don't need lots of fertility. It is sort of a pain to wash them really well.