What if you could give up the fight and call a truce with dandelions? Here are seven reasons why you might want to make peace with this plant.
Somewhere, somehow, after the joy of turning our cheeks and chins yellow, chaining them together for flower crowns and making wishes on them faded, we learned that dandelions were actually the scourge of lawns everywhere. While they do tend to be persistent and hardy, punctuating lush green lawns, dandelions have a lot to offer, and we have a few things to unlearn.
Here are seven reasons why we might want to let those hopelessly optimistic, stubborn yellow flowers stick around.
Let’s be clear: Are dandelions the BEST pollinator plant? Probably not. According to master gardener and author of Pollinator Friendly Gardening Rhonda Fleming Hayes, the best plants to feed pollinators in early spring are native wildflowers called “ephemerals” because they’re so short-lived. But, she adds, most people don’t have them in their yards. “That said, dandelions are very prevalent and they’re something that pollinators, mostly bees, would utilize as a source of nectar,” says Fleming Hayes.
Gardening Media Group’s Katie Dubow says that not only do dandelions appear in early spring, they appear again in early fall when many garden blooms are flagging. “As more flowers open up later in the spring they will be visited less, so if you plan to remove dandelions from your yard, June or July is a better time to do so. As you get closer to the fall and bees and butterflies are actively foraging in preparation for winter, dandelions will again provide those essential nutrients.”
Dandelions Break Ground
Dubow says dandelions are masters at growing where nothing else can. “They are among the first weeds to colonize disturbed land where other plants won’t grow. Their strong roots can break through the toughest soil and you will often find them growing through concrete,” a fact that frustrates lawn purists, because they absolutely flourish with soil and sun. But here’s where any gardener should find some delight: When dandelions are left to fully develop, their strong taproots can even penetrate hardpan, a layer of compact soil, to extract calcium from the subsoil, making it available to other plants. That means that dandelions improve soil quality, aerate hard-packed soil and help reduce erosion.
Dandelions Provide Phenology Clues
Have you ever tried to get any reliable information on how and when to forage for morel mushrooms? Good luck, as their locations are closely held secrets. But, Fleming Hayes says learning your phenology (the world’s natural cyclical signal) will benefit you greatly. “Start your search [for morels] when dandelions begin to bloom in the spring. . . That’s the sign other things are happening.”
Dandelions Are Edible and Drinkable
First things first: You don’t want to eat anything sprayed with pesticides, so know the history of the ground you’re gathering from. Fleming Hayes suggests foraging for the younger green leaves, which you can sauté with herbs and seasonings or add raw in salads. “It’s a similar spicy, peppery taste, like how you might use arugula in a salad,” she says. Avoid the older leaves, because they can be bitter. She adds that her husband was paid a penny a bloom to collect dandelions for his next-door neighbor, who made them into dandelion wine. You can also fry dandelion heads.
Dandelions Pack Nutritional Punch
Not only can dandelion greens add a little flair to your salad, they are more nutritious than many commonly consumed leafy greens, says Dubow. “They have more vitamin A than spinach, more vitamin C than tomatoes and are a powerhouse of iron, calcium and potassium.”
Because of these nutritional properties, historically, dandelions were used to treat ailments, such as baldness, sores, fever, rotting gums, lethargy, depression and other common symptoms of vitamin deficiencies. “In a time when vitamin pills were a far-off unknown, dandelion was a powerhouse nutrition supplement,” Dubow explains. Even today, herbalists use it as a gentle diuretic that provides nutrients and helps the digestive system function efficiently. (Sidenote: The French call dandelions “pissenlit” which translates to “pee the bed.”)
Dandelions Are … Pretty
It’s OK to admit it: Dandelions look cheery. For many, dandelions’ bright round faces are welcomed at the end of a cold, dark winter with snow-covered landscapes. They are a sign of life returning. “Historically, dandelions were world-famous for their beauty. They were a common and beloved garden flower in Europe and the subject of many poems,” Dubow notes. “Dandelions were likely brought over to America on the Mayflower as a garden plant to serve as a cheerful, sweet reminder of home.”
Dandelions Can Change Mindsets
Starting to think of dandelions as friends can be a catalyst for a whole movement toward more pollinator-friendly environments. By not immediately grabbing the bottle of weed killer, you may very well be allowing plants you consider weeds to grow and provide food and shelter for pollinators. For instance, Fleming Hayes says, milkweed is widely known to help monarch butterflies, but many other butterfly species will only consider one or two plants good hosts (wild violets and nettle being two). “I’m not encouraging dandelions, as much as saying we don’t need to use herbicides or pesticides whenever we see a weed. There are other ways to get rid of weeds, even if they aren’t as easy.”
And one other thing: “It is easy to feel frustrated by these tenacious little plants, but they can teach us an important lesson about survival,” Dubow says. “With roots that can sink deeper throughout the years, they can reach 15 feet underground. They can shove their way through cement and even bloom in barren environments.”
Dandelions are good for your lawn. Their wide-spreading roots loosen hard-packed soil, aerate the earth and help reduce erosion. The deep taproot pulls nutrients such as calcium from deep in the soil and makes them available to other plants.
Dandelions are good for your lawn. Their wide-spreading roots loosen hard-packed soil, aerate the earth and help reduce erosion. The deep taproot pulls nutrients such as calcium from deep in the soil and makes them available to other plants.
They are NOT harmless: They not only directly displace native plants, but even emit compounds in the soil that inhibit the growth of other plants. I have personally seen acres and acres of otherwise pristine wilderness in southwestern Colorado taken over by dandelion barrens.
If your dandelions are bright yellow, you're free to mow them, pluck them, and chop them down without consequence. Otherwise, if they have fluffy, white heads, you'll know it's time to hand-pick them to avoid spreading the seeds throughout your lawn.
Dandelion roots can grow up to three inches, so hand pulling is often a waste of time pulling the Dandelions are only effective if the plant's entire root can be removed. Avoid wasting your time with futile removal methods.
Dandelion is generally considered safe. Some people may have an allergic reaction from touching dandelion. Others may get mouth sores. If you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigold, chamomile, yarrow, daisies, or iodine, you should avoid dandelion.
For example, weeds with deep taproots, such as dandelions and burdock, indicate compacted soil lacking in water, air, and nutrients. However, weeds are also nature's way of repairing the soil for a more stable, healthy system. In the case of dandelions and burdock, their deep, strong roots also help break up that soil.
Avoid dandelion tea if you're already taking a diuretic as their actions may be compounded. Since dandelion has natural diuretic properties, it may interfere with the action of lithium and similar medications. Dandelion tea should also be avoided if you're taking antibiotics like Cipro, Levaquin, Noroxin, and others.
Two things can kill dandelions permanently—digging them up by the roots or spraying them with an herbicide. Digging up dandelions does not harm nearby plants, but it only works if you remove the entire taproot. Otherwise, the plant will eventually spring up and blossom again.
Dandelion numbers can also be attributed to the previous year's growing conditions. For example, the wet conditions last spring can influence this spring's dandelion crop. Grass cannot grow deep enough roots in oxygen-poor, damp soil, which will give dandelions more room to grow in.
Tip 4: Use Captain Jack's Lawnweed Brew. Captain Jack's Lawnweed Brew is made from naturally occurring Iron (FeHEDTA) and is people and pet safe. It will weaken and kill many broadleaf weeds like dandelions, without killing the grass.
You will be glad you left your dandelions alone when the native bees and other insects show up in your garden to pollinate flowers and vegetables. They survived to work for your benefit in large part because they were well fed by dandelions.
Weeding dandelions by digging or pulling them out of the ground is the method to use when your lawn has just a few dandelions or you're working in planting beds where weedkillers could damage other plants.
But here's where any gardener should find some delight: When dandelions are left to fully develop, their strong taproots can even penetrate hardpan, a layer of compact soil, to extract calcium from the subsoil, making it available to other plants.
You may have heard vinegar recommended as a home remedy for dandelions, but the effectiveness in killing the roots is minimal. That's where pulling or digging out dandelions can come in handy.
The dandelion, often undervalued in human-dominated landscapes, is in fact a vital food source for various wildlife. Its bright yellow flowers are among the first to bloom in early spring. They offer crucial nectar and pollen to emerging bees, butterflies, and other pollinators when other food sources are scarce.
You may be surprised to learn that the answer to "Can you eat dandelions?" is a definite yes. Dandelions are one of many edible weeds that are not only safe to eat but nutritious, too—they're chock-full of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iron, and Vitamins A, C, and K.
You can use a weed whacker or a similar tool to cut the dandelions down at the base. This will prevent them from growing back for a while, but their long taproot ensures the weeds will eventually return. Finally, herbicides can be safe, especially if you use something natural, such as vinegar or corn gluten.
The real problem 2,4-D poses to bees is the destruction of their food supply. Honey bees in particular are fond of dandelions and may be dependent on them in certain seasons. But even more affected are native species of bees that cannot fly far enough to find a new food source.
Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.