The blooming of dandelions is a sure sign of spring. Their ray-shaped, bright, yellow-colored blooms level the ground where they grow, providing food for bees and other pollinating insects. Dandelions are considered as weeds in some areas, but when grown where they are wanted, they provide a nice carpet-like display of blooms in a landscape and can be eaten as food since all their plant parts are edible.
About Dandelions
Dandelions are short-lived herbaceous perennial plants belonging to the family Asteraceae and genus Taraxacum.
They produce basal leaves and long stems that grow above the leaves, holding yellow flower heads. Their stems contain latex and each stem holds one flower head. They grow about anywhere regardless of soil conditions, however, they thrive best in rich, well-drained soil.
Dandelions are able to withstand frost and tolerate crowding, which makes them a good source of nectar for pollinators during cold seasons when few other plants are in bloom.
After flowering, seed heads are formed on top of stems, with each seed having a feathery pappus which helps it get carried by wind. When the seeds land on new soil, they easily grow into new dandelions, hence in many areas, they are rather regarded as weeds due to their ability to spread very fast and colonise a new area.
Site selection
Dandelions grow just about anywhere. They are able to adapt to many climatic conditions and are spread allover the world. Choose a site that recieves full sunlight or partial shade with well-drained soil.
Soil preparation and planting
Till the soil and remove big rocks to make it smooth.
Add 1-2 inch layer of organic matter in form of dry leaves, compost or animal manure.
Sow seeds directly into the garden, separating them by 1 to 2 inches.
Press them slightly onto the soil to ensure root to soil contact but do not cover them with soil as they love to grow under direct sunlight.
Water the soil until plants spring up but ensure that the soil is not water-logged.
Dandelions will germinate between 14 to 21 days and flower after around 60 days.
Care for dandelions
Keep watering plants especially during the dry season.
Harvesting dandelions
Dandelions are harvested as greens since all plant parts are edible, or flowers harvested for ornamental purposes and put in a vase.
You can harvest parts of the plant or cut the plants about an inch from the soil, and they will re-grow.
Deadheading plants will prevent maturing of seeds, which helps ensure that they don’t get out of control. Allow seeds to develop if you desire a bigger field of dandelions.
Dandelions do not have pests and diseases of concern.
