While they’re in full bloom, I refuse to remove dandelions from my yard. My husband isn’t even allowed to mow the lawn.
For beekeepers like me who have to wait for other spring flowers to bloom, these cheerful drops of sunshine are an excellent source of nectar for pollinators.
White fluff appears, and my yard is filled with excited birds devouring the seeds as soon as they’re available.
Dandelions are not only good sources of food for birds and bees, but most of the plant is also edible for humans.
No, you can forage wild dandelions from your own yard, but you shouldn’t forage from other people’s yards or roadsides.
Because most people despise dandelions, you have no idea what chemicals have been sprayed on them (or whose dog peed on them).
Dandelions that have been mowed too often lose their flavor and are no longer a welcome addition to salads.
So, why not try growing your own? You can have fresh dandelion greens at your fingertips without even having a yard or garden, and they’re delicious, healthy, and easy to prepare.
Keep reading to find out how to grow my favorite weed, the dandelion, in your garden!
History and Cultivation
When it was first brought to the United States, this native of central Asia was used as a food crop.
And, unsurprisingly, it was a huge success. In Europe, North America, southern Africa, South America, New Zealand, Australia, and India, you’ll find the aster or Asteraceae T. officinale.
That it has become so popular is no surprise.
These plants are hardy in Zones 3-10, can grow from the lowlands to over 8,000 feet above sea level, tolerate wet and compact soils, poor and dry soil, as well as are generally free of pest or disease.
Bunnies and humans are the two main threats they face.
A dandelion carpet may cause some lawn owners to hyperventilate, but they are an excellent source of vitamin C and other nutrients.
Calcium, iron, vitamin C, and potassium are abundant in these leafy greens, which are also low in calories. The rest of the plant, excluding the flower stems, is perfectly edible.
Including dandelions in your garden is a great way to get the most out of their benefits. Insects such as lacewings, ladybugs, bumblebees, and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers’ bright colors and pollen-rich content.
It also helps till the soil because of its long, strong taproot. Other plants may not be able to access nutrients that this plant can because of its deep root system.
Sowing Seeds: A Guide to Propagation
You can collect dandelion seeds from the wild or buy them from a garden supply store.
The Italian dandelion may be found in searches for dandelion seeds and greens (Cichorium intybus). It is chicory, not dandelions, despite the fact that it can be grown as green and the leaves resemble those of true dandelions.
Four to six weeks before your area’s last frost date, you can start seeds indoors.
Sow the seeds one and a half inches apart in a six-inch deep tray or pot of moist potting soil.
Seeds must have access to light in order to germinate, so don’t cover them too deeply in the medium.
Pots or trays should be placed in a location that is both warm and sunny, but not overly moist. Within seven to twenty-one days, the seeds should begin to sprout.
Seedlings can be transplanted into the garden when they are three to four inches tall and the soil temperature is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you don’t have a garden or yard, you can grow them in deep pots and keep them on your balcony.
Once the last hard frost has passed, you can plant seeds in the ground if the soil temperature is at least 50°F.
Choose between six and twelve inches of space between each seed and the soil surface, or simply scatter the seeds and thin the seedlings as they grow. Sow or thin your seedlings to three inches apart if you want to harvest baby greens (young, tender leaves).
How to Become a Better Gardener
In light of how cheerfully they grow (or how much negative attention they receive), dandelions are not a difficult type of leafy greens to grow. They do, however, have preferences, as do all plants.
Despite the fact that dandelion plants prefer full sunlight, the best greens are typically those grown in partial shade.
Two or three days ahead of harvest, if you plan to grow them in full sun, you can shade the leaves with an old cloth or cover the plants with a box to keep them cool.
Taproot plants, like turf, prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.2-6.8 and prefer to grow in lawns. The pH range in which they thrive is 6.0-8.5.
Ideally, dandelions prefer rich soil, but if you’re planting in less than ideal conditions, you can improve the quality of the soil by mixing in some compost. Potassium and phosphorus-deficient soils will support their growth, but better-tasting greens come from plants raised in more fertile environments.
Applying additional fertilizer isn’t necessary if you’re growing in fertile or compost-amended soil.
You can use a fertilizer like AgroThrive General Purpose Fertilizer 3-3-2 (NPK) from Arbico Organics every six weeks if you are growing them in a pot.
They can withstand short periods of waterlogging and drying out, and do well in wet, compact soils.
The flavor and succulence of dandelions’ leaves are improved when they are watered frequently, even though they can tolerate brief periods of drought. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged if you’re growing in containers.
Tips for Growing
- Plant in full or partial sunlight.
- Remove the flowers before they set the seed.
- Properly moisten the entire area.
Maintenance
If you don’t want dandelions to take over your garden and lawn, you should remove all of the flowers before they produce seed.
If you’re going to harvest the roots as well as the flowers, you’ll get bigger roots if you remove the flowers first.
Selection of Cultivars
What are the best dandelion varieties for cooking? If you don’t believe me, then you should. Some seed catalogs offer dandelion varieties that are specifically designed for growing as greens.
A wild dandelion’s leaves and flowers are naturally sweet and savory, making it an excellent addition to salads.
Dandelions can be bitter, especially if they have foraged, but there are a few varieties that have been cultivated to be milder.
Pest and Disease Control
Given that dandelion plants tend to be free of pests and diseases, this may be the simplest edible green to grow. As long as we aren’t alone, dandelions are sure to attract some hungry diners from time to time.
When rabbits find their way into your garden, they can pose a serious problem. Wire screening can be used to keep rabbits away from your plants if you have a family of them.
Harvesting
Young, light-colored leaves are the best because they are more tender and mildly flavorful than older ones.
Spring is the best time to harvest baby leaves, but you can pick leaves and flowers at any time of year.
As close to the roots as possible, cut the leaves. Compost the stalks after you pick the flowers.
In the fridge’s vegetable drawer, keep fresh leaves and flowers out of direct sunlight so they don’t turn yellow. As a rule of thumb, they should be eaten within three days of harvesting, as they will only keep for that long in the refrigerator.
Bundle the leaves and hang them upside down in a shady, well-ventilated area to dry for later use.
Pop the flowers (and leaves, if you prefer) into a dehydrator at 86-104°F until they’re crispy, then remove the stems.
In a cool, dark place, keep the dried plant parts in a sealed container or bag.
Once a plant is two years old, it’s time to remove the roots. Use the fresh roots in cooking or tinctures after thoroughly washing them.
For long-term storage, chop the cleaned roots into one- to two-inch sections and either air dry or dehydrate at 95°F until brittle, then store in an airtight container.
Roasted for four hours at 200°F, they can be ground and used in place of coffee.
Cooking Suggestions and Recipes
Our happy yellow-flowered weed can be used in everything from salads to coffee.
Is it possible to make dandelion tea instead of coffee? What’s the problem?
Fresh or dried leaves or flowers can be used to make tea.
To make a warm cup of tea, strain fresh or dried plant parts into a strainer and steep for five to ten minutes in boiling water.
Dandelions are a Garden Delight whether they’re considered weeds or not!
You can’t go wrong with a small patch of dandelions in your garden, which are both easy to grow and nutritious.
Dandelions aren’t just a food source for you and your pollinator friends; they’re also beneficial to other plants in your garden.
Is it possible for you to grow dandelions in your garden, or do you still consider them a nuisance? Please share your thoughts in the space provided.
