Harvesting Prickly Lettuce
I've been watching the Prickly Lettuce mature over the last month or two.They've been seeding for several weeks now. And just within the last week or so I've noticed some of them are beginning to wither and turn brown.
Around here, this is an extremely abundant plant. And it happens to be a rather good one for hand drill spindles.
About 6 weeks ago, being impatient, I went and harvested some that were withered at the base but still green near the top. No luck. They disfigured as they dried. It seems they've got to dry naturally and completely after seeding in order to keep their strait shape.
I harvested some last week and I tried one stalk as a spindle on a cedar hearth over the weekend. It made black powder and smoke, so I believe the plants are nearing the stage when they can be harvested. I'll post my success with Prickly Lettuce as soon as I get it.
Here is a video I made 4 days ago during lunch. It shows me scouting a nearby field:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h745gXb_B54