Dandelion, also known as Taraxacum Officinale, consists of rosettes of dark green and serrated leaves. You will notice ovate buds emerging from the middle of the dandelion plant. Its flowers are bright yellow. They either rise on stems a few cms or inches (in most cases) long or bloom close to the ground.
Their long and strong taproot prevents the plant from dying even in the winter. It also makes it difficult to remove the plant completely from the soil. Since dandelions are spread by seed which is scattered by the wind and sometime they get stuck to apparels, they’re difficult to prevent as well. But don’t worry we are here to teach you how to maintain and prevent dandelions.
Preventing Dandelions from Growing
Lawns that have soils with despicable levels of calcium & the ones that don’t break natural matter instantly are paradise for these plants. If you find plenty of dandelion plants in your lawn, spread enough compost on your lawn’s soil to increase its breaking down capacity. Spreading compost will not only help you improve the nutritional value of the soil but it will also help you provide enough microbes that will break down natural matter/ingredients instantly. Additionally, you can trim your lawn & introduce a composting trimmer to abandon your cuttings on your garden. Make sure to eliminate all the dandelion taproot from the lawn before they even start spreading.
Getting Rid of Dandelions
Getting rid of dandelions doesn’t need to be difficult especially when you have a dandelion killer with yourself. They not only stop the existing dandelion, but they also prevent them from growing in the same spot again. Another way of getting rid of dandelions is by removing them from hand. Make sure you get all of the long taproot or as much as possible as dandelion can regrow even from a small root piece that remain in the land. Also, it is important to water the area one day before you try to remove it as it will help you loosen the soil easily. Also, use a long and narrow tool like a screwdriver or a dandelion digger. Put the tool in the soil as deep as you can around the dandelion and jiggle the tool as much as possible to loosen the soil near the root of the dandelion. This will help you take out the dandelion completely from its root. You can then check if or not the dandelion is loose by gently pulling the plant and if you feel there is no resistance, you can easily pull the dandelion at once.
Where Dandelions are Used?
Dandelions are rich in iron and vitamin C. You can eat them raw or by steaming them, or sautéed. Trust me, they are one of the most delicious plant you would have ever eaten.
This is why many people want to grow and maintain dandelion seeds. Let’s have a look at how to do that.
Harvesting and Growing Dandelion Seeds
You can sow the dandelions outdoors for four to six weeks before the frost. Make sure you sow the seed directly into the soil. Once you see them sprouting above the soil, it means they are six to eight inches apart. Remember, dandelions need light to grow. Full sun would be the best but they can even grow in artificial light. Since these plants are incredibly resilient and tolerant for poor conditions so you don’t have to worry about the type of soil or whether the drainage is adequate or anything else for that matter. Remember, it is important to cover the plants with dark, opaque fabric to block out most of the light which will blanch the leaves, reducing the bitterness, a few weeks before harvesting.
Best Dandelion killer products
- Ragan and Massey Grass and Weed Killer: This is our top product because of its ease of application and value for money. It can be used anywhere i.e. on grass and other surfaces in the garden.
- Roundup Weed and Grass killer Concentrate Plus: If you want to protect your flowers, this is the perfect dandelion killer for you.
- Best Natural Dandelion Killer Grass and Weed Killer by Green Gobbler: It is best for organic use which means even if you have other plants on your garden, it won’t be affected because it has natural formula with vinegar.
Conclusion
Maintaining and preventing dandelion doesn’t have to be difficult. But unfortunately, it is. And the sole reason for that is people don’t know how to do it properly. Remember, the best way to get rid of dandelions is to kill the whole plant, taproot and all. You can use a dandelion killer to do so or you can remove it by hand.
I hope this article helped you understand how to maintain and prevent dandelion effectively and efficiently.
