Spring is really here – the dandelions are in bloom. This ubiquitous yellow flower seems to spring up overnight to create a cheerful floral display followed by billowy seed heads floating on long stalks above the ground. The word "dandelion" means "lion's tooth," probably a reference to its jagged leaves. Even though it's originally from Europe, I rather like this tongue-in-cheek description of it's origin: "The dandelion has no origin; rather, its seeds came into existence at the Big Bang and dispersed through all the dimensions of spacetime, like background radiation and logic."
Taxaracum officinale, a common plant of grassland and cultivated ground, is found in all parts of the Northern Hemisphere thru USDA Zone 3. Depending on your perspective, dandelion is either a weed or wild vegetable that is more nutritious than broccoli and spinach. Though never cultivated as vegetables in Europe, they were brought to market in England in the 19th century when lettuce and endive were scarce. And dandelions appear on the menu in some locations. In Catalonia pheasant or duck is often prepared with dandelions in the fall (el faisŕ o l'ŕnec amb queixals de vella) and in Macedonia Radíkia Me Rízi Tis Kyrías Agápis is a dish of dandelion and chicory cooked with rice and pine nuts.
Dandelion is a short-lived perennial and a good colonizer that is excellent at dispersing its prolific seeds. Each plant can produce up to 20,000 viable seeds. The seeds have a pappus, the feathery parachute of soft, white hairs that makes it easily carried by the wind. Even though its flowers are more conspicuous early in the season, it will bloom almost throughout the year.
The flowers are utilized by bees and other pollinators (insects can see UV light which we can't), and the rosette of leaves can be a food plant for the caterpillars of some butterfly and moth species.
I wish I would have paid more attention when I was younger, but I used to know a man that made wine from dandelions. Now there's a good use for a "weed".
I myself prefer to have alot of dandlions in my yard. Adds color to the grass. I feel the more my yard has the better. Alot of people go thru hours of getting rid of these so they have the "perfect" lawn, but IMO i think the yellow is a great addition of color to the yard.
Not everyone dislikes dandelions in their garden. In fact, some people actually enjoy them and look for them to use for cooking. Dandelions can be eaten in a number of ways including sautéing the stems in a little garlic and olive oil or using them to make dandelion tea, jelly or soup. Many people even use their stems to add to fresh green salads.
If you are not one of these people, however, and prefer a lawn and garden free from dandelions, read on for some helpful hints on how to best remove them.
There are basically two options for removing dandelions. One of these options, and it is the most effective, is to dig them out. You can dig up the dandelion plant by hand or with a tool but be sure to dig out all of its roots. Remember that dandelions have very deep roots. While this option is most effective, it does put a lot of stress on your back and limbs. Some people find that using a tool to remove the dandelions is easier than using just the hands and there are gardening tools designed specifically for that purpose. The most attractive feature of these tools is their long handles – thus the back saving function of the tool. Some of the tools are also supposed to be good for lifting up the weed after uprooting it, tilling the soil and digging small holes. Whether you decide to use a gardening tool or your hands, it is important that you moisten the area surrounding the dandelion first, as this will make the removal of the roots much easier.
The other option is to use Acetic Acid to remove the dandelions. Vinegar has about a five percent concentration of acetic acid but you can buy stronger concentrations at your local gardening store. These solutions can be used effectively to kill the dandelions in your lawn but you must follow instructions carefully when doing so. When incorrectly applied, acetic acid can kill your lawn as well as the dandelions.
To help prevent the dandelions from growing back, be sure to fill the holes with soil or compost where the dandelions were dug up or killed off, and replace with grass seed. Other measures to take to help prevent dandelions from growing back are mowing your lawn high (never take off more than a one third of the grass blade), mowing it regularly (once a week), and leaving grass cuttings on the grass to help prevent seeds from germinating.
If you are not looking to remove all of the dandelions but only wish to control or limit their growth you can take an alternative approach. Instead of digging up entirely the dandelion flowers and their roots, simply sever the roots about two inches below the surface. Afterwards, you must then water, fertilize, and reseed your lawn. This will help rejuvenate it and make it stronger against future dandelion growth.
Dandelions are a hearty flower and spread out and grow quickly. Once they turn from the bright little yellow flower into the white dandelion seed head, the seeds quickly get carried off by the wind to other parts of your garden and reproduce quickly. The only way to prevent this from happening is regular and proper lawn maintenance.
Pick the best looking flowers, leaving the green sepals, but get rid of the stalks. Back home, put them immediately into a large ceramic, glass or plastic vessel.
Boil water; pour over flowers. Cover your crock for 3 days.
On the fourth day strain blossoms from liquid. Cook liquid with sugar and rind of citrus (omit rind if not organic) for 30-60 min. Return to crock.
Add citrus juice.
When liquid has cooled to blood temp, soften yeast, spread on toast, and float toast in crock.
Cover and let work for 2 days. Strain. Return liquid to crock for 1 more day to settle. Filter into very clean bottles and cork lightly.
Don't drink until winter solstice.
NOTE: If you don't big enough pot..or..it takes a really long time to pick that many flowers..make half the recipe..BUT...don't forget -- -- to halve everything but the sugar.
NOTE: Nugget of wisdom is to respect authority (just this once) and honor the expiration date on the yeast.
If you haven't yet, you should add this to the recipes section!
I'm scared to try any of the dandelions by us; the building sprays pesticides and herbicides a couple of times a year. If I ever have my own place though...
if dandelion wine is done right, it can be very potent, so be careful while trying to walk. I recommend finding a comfortable chair, set it somewhere that allows for a good view of daily goings on. Just sit back with some of your favorite music...sing along., laugh, and enjoy your day.
I myself prefer to have alot of dandlions in my yard. Adds color to the grass. I feel the more my yard has the better. Alot of people go thru hours of getting rid of these so they have the "perfect" lawn, but IMO i think the yellow is a great addition of color to the yard.
I just read this post that greenbean left quite some time ago, and I felt as if I am finally not the only person that loves dandlions in the yard! lol
Thank you greenbean!
When I was growing up we had a large field across from our house. Every Spring it would be a carpet of yellow from all the dandlions. I thought it was the most perfect site and loved to just walk through it all. Each Spring I would watch for the very first dandlion so I could pick it and run and give it to my mom.
When I started having kids I thought it was the coolest thing when they started bringing me in dandlions too.
Each Spring I would watch for the very first dandlion so I could pick it and run and give it to my mom.
:lol: I still do this, but my mom lives in Washington state now so I just pick violets and dandelions and put them in a jelly glass on my dining room table!
Fresh, young dandelion greens are excellent in a spring salad. Older greens can be too bitter.
Dried dandelion roots should be ground up, and simmered into a morning tonic; like coffee. Not only does it wake you up like good coffee, but it is a powerful detoxifier/ blood purifier. One of the best, they say.
I like mine lightly roasted.
My bunnies & pigs like dandilions. Can't say I like the flavor.
I remember one time very long ago my mother made dandilion wine.
Can't say I ever remember tasting it....I was maybe 8 yrs old then.
But I remember picking all the dandilions.
Anyone Remember Dandilion Park with all the rides???
I was out looking today to see if the 72 degree weather yesterday popped any out but did not see any yet. Maybe they know it's suppose to get cold again and want to wait awhile before popping their little heads out.
I was surprised to see how many people actually like Dandelions. I love this sweet little flower (weed). It's a sure sign of Spring when everything is dull and yecky looking- the Dandelion pops up and brightens things up.
My children love to pick them so I always have a cup full of them
The other benifit is my turtles and tortoises love to eat the leaves and flowers. The kids get a kick out of picking them and dividing them up....some for mommy and some for the turts.
I've never had dandy wine but have heard of it.
Tracy
Well, hurry up already! We should've seen hundreds by now!
PK, you are on dandelion picture duty. Are you even looking for them?
I've seen some of the green plants, but no flowers yet.
There's still a winter doldrum or two hanging around. We need something to chase them away!
PK, you are on dandelion picture duty. Are you even looking for them?
I'm still on the look out! I think the snow slowed them up some. Hopefully with the warmer weather and light rain coming it will help pop them out soon.
Here is some Siberian Squill, if my sources are correct
We were just down on 1st Ave today on the lake front by Kemper Center and small flowers that looked alot like these were all in bloom. Tried to get a picture but to many cars waiting for me. I'll try to get back over the weekend.
Has anyone here every tried making dandelion wine? How is it done? More importantly, how does it taste?
I remember as a kid my mom making this. She took us out to Dandilion Park to pick TONS of dandilions for her to make wine.
The next thing I remember about this adventure is one night there was a huge bang in the kitchen with a strange noise and then mom yelling at the top of her lungs....
Seems the corks popped off the bottles and wine was spewing everywhere.
I also remember getting in trouble for laughing. LOL oh well....
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I think the snow slowed them up some. Hopefully with the warmer weather and light rain coming it will help pop them out soon. 
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