I am going to open the discussion around dandelions. Spring has arrived and the dandelion is popping up all over the place. I have read many comments on Facebook about peoples’ battles with dandelions. I had to investigate whether this persistent little plant is our friend or foe. After all, we’ve shared many different posts about creating beautiful home gardens and dandelions are a hot topic that needs to be talked about.
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Should we be ripping out those yellow flowers and throwing it away or should we embrace the yellow pom-poms? So, I’ve put together this ultimate dandelion guide – a brief history of the dandelion, how to remove dandelions, dandelion craft ideas and dandelion recipes.
The Ultimate Dandelion Guide
Dandelion Throughout History – Truth be told, history paints a very different picture of our ancestors relationship with this common weed. While we “pull it and pitch it”, in the past the dandelion was honoured. Acclaimed for its medicinal properties, generations of people around the world have harvested the dandelion crop for various reasons. Here’s a list of some of the things dandelions were believed to help with; liver problems, heart aliments, treatment of anemia, digestive aid and rheumatism. Today the dandelion is still used for it’s medicinal properties. Dandelion is rich in vitamin A, D, iron, potassium and zinc. The dandelion is actually an incredibly useful plant!
Dandelions in a Bee Friendly Garden– As you have probably heard by now, North Americais being faced with a declining bee population. The decline is so great that many municipalities are looking at eliminating various pesticides from agricultural use in an attempt to save the bees. In early spring, one of the first plants that bees visit is the dandelion. The dandelion’s role in the eco-food chain is important to our bee population…a good reason to let them colour your lawn.
Dandelion Recipes to Make
There are so many amazing things that can be made from dandelions…
Roast and steep a batch of dandelion root coffee or tea, like this one from Living Herbal Tea.
How refreshing and beautiful does this dandelion lemonade from Creative Home Living look?
Bake up a batch of dandelion cookies from 5 Orange Potatoes
Look for something a little stronger? Check out Morning Chores recipe for making your own bottles of dandelion wine.
Use the dandelion greens to make dandelion pesto from Food Babe
The kids are going to love this dandelion ice cream from Practical Self Reliance
Fresh baked dandelion bread...who knew…from Homespun Seasonal Living.
These dandelion fritters look light and crispy, from Deep Roots at Home
I love all things lemon! Dandelion lemon bars from Bakers Brigade look amazing.
Spread a little dandelion jelly on your morning toast, with this recipe from Creative Homemaking
Homesteading by Hippy whipped up this amazing dandelion honey butter…looks yummy
If tea isn’t your favourite, try making dandelion coffee with this recipe from Forest and Fauna
Dandelion Craft Ideas
Scratch Mommy show us how to make dandelion lip balm
These dandelion wishes key chains are so lovely, from Sunny Day Today Mama
Why not paint with dandelions? Kitchen Floor Crafts shares how to use dandelions as paint brushes
A Little Pinch of Perfection shares a fun paper plate dandelion craft
Make a beautiful crown of dandelions like this one from Fireflies and Mudpies
Love how this thumbprint dandelion craft from Glued to My Crafts Blog let’s kids celebrate the beauty of dandelions
Wildflower Ramblings shares a simple dandelion playdough recipe
Sooth and moisturize your skin with this homemade dandelion salve from Montana Homesteader.
How to Remove Dandelions from Your Yard
Whether you want to use the dandelions that dot your lawn in a delicious recipe, or you aren’t fond of them for aesthetic reasons, you need to know how to properly pull out a dandelion plant. How do you get the roots, shoots, leaves, flowers and all? Fortunately, the dandelion has a tap root, like a carrot. This root structure makes it easier to pull. Unfortunately, the dandelion has a super-strong root…it holds on with all of its might!
Find your dandelion, and grasp the entire plant in one hand…revealing the base of the plant.
Grab your trusty weed pulling tool. I use my mom’s old hand tool…it does the job beautifully.
Drive the tool down along the side of the root…
Tip the tool toward the root, without snapping the root, and pull the root up out of the ground…
You might not get then entire root every time…
But, when you do get the entire root what satisfaction…
When you are done, the lawn is dandelion free – just keep on top of it…
Hot tip: pull dandelions when the soil iswet…it is much easier to pull weeds when the soil is wet and loose.
There is a lot to take into consideration when it comes to the dandelion. Perhaps it isn’t simply an invasive weed? I know we will be trying some of these recipes. Whatever choice you make, I hope your anxiety over having a green and yellow lawn is lessened. If you love video, be sure to check out our Dandelion Guide YouTube video.
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