Taraxacum officinale
I refuse topull dandelionsfrom my K during the first bloom . I do n’t even lease my husband mow .
Those upbeat dip of sunlight are not only pretty to me , but as a apiculturist , I know they are a good food source for pollinators during the gap between blooms of other all important spring works .
And when the white fluff emerges , my yard fills with enraptured small birds gobbling up the seeded player .
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Not only are dandelions good source of food for birds and bee , but most of the works is edible for humans ( that ’s us ! ) too .
Yes , you could just go eatage wild blowball from your yard instead of growing them deliberately , but you should n’t forage from other people ’s yards or roadsides .
hoi polloi run to detest dandelions , so you do n’t know what they ’ve been spray with ( or whose dog peed on them ) .
Plus , frequently mop dandelion greens can be too caustic to make a luscious addition to your salad .
So why not farm them ? They ’re healthy , easy , and as you ’ll rule out below , you do n’t even need a thousand or garden to have fresh dandelion greens handy .
Keep reading to happen out everything you need to get it on about mature my favorite weed , the cheery blowball !
What You’ll Learn
Cultivation and History
It ’s a loathed dope now , but this key Asia native was initially imported to America as a nutrient crop .
And , evidently , it did very well . you’re able to findT. officinale , a member of theaster or Asteraceae family , in Europe , North America , southern Africa , South America , New Zealand , Australia , India …
Its success is no admiration .
Not only does each works produce an norm of 5,000 wind - carry seed , they are perennials that are hardy in Zones 3 - 10 , they live on from the lowland to over 8,000 feet in elevation , tolerate wet and compact soils , poor and dry soil , and are loosely pest and disease free .
Their big enemy are bunny and humans .
The sight of a dandelion rug might cause a spike in the blood pressure of some lawn possessor , but they are a healthy food .
The greens are high-pitched in calcium , iron , vitamin blow , and potassium , and low in calories . Excluding the blossom stem , the rest of the plant is perfectly edible .
Dandelions can be good to grow alongside your other plants , too . Their bright , pollen ladened flowers attract a variety ofbeneficial insectssuch as lacewing fly , ladybug , humblebee and other pollinators .
The farsighted , potent taproot also helps recrudesce up the soil , doing some tilling for you ! As it grows deep into the dry land , it make nutrient uncommitted that other plants may not be able to reach .
Propagation: How to Sow
you’re able to either garner barbaric blowball come or buy them to inseminate in your garden .
If you search for dandelion seed and greens , you may get across Italian dandelion ( Cichorium intybus ) . Although this plant life also can be grow as a green and the leaves look very similar to those of rightful dandelions , it is actually a type of chicory .
You canstart seed indoorsfour to six weeks before the last hoar date in your area .
fulfill a deep tray or some pots with at least six inches of moistpotting soiland seed the seeds one and a one-half inches apart .
Cover gently with the medium , but do n’t sink them because the seeds need light to evolve .
set the pots or tray in a tender , sunny location and keep them moist but not waterlogged . The source should sprout within seven to 21 days .
When the plants are three to four in tall and outdoor soil temperatures are at least 50 ° F , you may transpose the seedlings into your garden .
Alternately , you could transplant them into deep pots and keep them on your balcony if you do n’t have a garden or yard .
If you ’d rather inseminate alfresco , you may plant seeds anytime after the last arduous hoar , as long as dirt temperature are at least 50 ° degree Fahrenheit .
Either infinite the seeds six to 12 inches aside or disperse the germ on the soil surface and thin the seedlings later . If you desire to glean baby greens ( new , tender leave ) , sow or thin to three column inch aside .
you’re able to learn more about how to set out blowball from cum in our guide . ( coming soon ! )
How to Grow
Seeing how they grow cheerfully without any attention ( or with a lot of negative attention ) , dandelions are not a difficult type of leafy green to develop . But like all plants , they have their taste .
dandelion choose full Lord’s Day locations but typically the best greens amount from works develop in part nuance .
If you do develop them in full sun , you may shade off the leave with a dark cloth or compensate the plants with a box a yoke of days before harvest home .
These taproot plants love to raise in lawn and choose slightly acidic soil just like turf does , with an optimal pH of 6.2 to 6.8 . But they can survive in a pH range of 6.0 to 8.5 if necessary .
Dandelions like fertile dirt , but if you are planting in a poor soil you’re able to rectify withcompost . They will grow in inadequate dirt that are low in K or phosphorus , but the tastiest greens number from plants grown in more fecund filth .
If you are growing in prolific or compost remediate land , utilise extra plant food is unnecessary .
If you are grow them in a throne , you may fecundate with a plant food such as AgroThrive General Purpose Fertilizer 3 - 3 - 2 ( NPK),available from Arbico Organics , every six weeks .
AgroThrive General Purpose Fertilizer
These robust plants can tolerate short periods of waterlogging and dry out out , and do astonishingly well in wet and stocky filth .
Though dandelions tolerate little - term drouth , the gustatory sensation and juiciness of the leaves is best if they are watered regularly . If you are develop in container , keep the land evenly moist , but not waterlogged .
Growing Tips
Maintenance
dandelion will grow well without much care , but if you do n’t want them to scatter all over your garden and lawn , reap all the flowers before they grow seminal fluid .
absent the flowers before the plant put a muckle of push into producing seeds will lead in larger roots , if you plan to glean those as well !
Cultivars to Select
Gourmet blowball change ? You better believe it . you could find blowball varieties specifically produced for growing as greens in someseed catalogue .
dead on target , or wild blowball is naturally leafy and pleasant-tasting , producing fresh park and honeyed blooms .
Wild Dandelion
Seeds are usable in mail boat of 100from Earthbeat Seeds .
Wild dandelions , especially those that are forage , can sometimes be on the bitter side , but there are a couple of name varieties cultivated to have a more mild relish .
Amélioré à Coeur Plein
‘ Amélioré à Coeur Plein ’ produces an abundance of jagged leave in a dense , compact clump which makes it ideal for growing in pot and containers .
Vert de Montmagny
‘ Vert de Montmagny , ’ also known as French dandelion , is a soft variety show cultivated in the 19th century , with dark green leave and an upright growth habit .
Managing Pests and Disease
dandelion are typically pest and disease free , so this might be the sluttish edible super C you ’ll turn ! But we are n’t the only ones that find the foliage yummy , so blowball will from time to time attract some hungry visitors .
Rabbits can be a big issueonce they key your garden . If you have a crime syndicate of bunny rabbit chewing through your greens , you may try protecting your plants with wire screening .
Other visitor can let in slug or snail , which you could pick off by hand . you may learn to ensure slug and escargot in our guide .
Harvesting
The good leaf are the young , light colorful ones which are much more lovesome and mild tasting than older ones .
The best time to harvest the babe leave behind is in the springiness , but you’re able to harvest the leaves and flowers at any point during the growing season .
Cut the farewell as closelipped to the roots as possible . Pick the flowers and toss the stalks on your compost pile .
put in sweet leaves and flower in the veg drawer of the electric refrigerator out of the Inner Light so they do n’t turn white-livered . It ’s best to eat them shortly after harvesting , because they will only last up to three days in the electric refrigerator .
rinse the leaves soundly before use and dry in a salad spinner . Do n’t have a salad spinner?Check out our babe website , Foodal , for recommendations .
To dry the leaves for late use , bundle up them up and string up them upside down in an airy , shaded place .
The best way to dry the flowers is without the root , so pour down the flowers ( and leaves if you favor ) in a dehydrator at 86 - 104 ° F until they are crispy .
hive away the dry out plant parts in a sealed jarful or bag in a coolheaded dark shoes .
Harvest the roots when the plant is two years old , either in the fall or former spring . Wash well and use the roots smart in cooking or tincture .
To store them farseeing terminal figure , chop the clean roots into one- to two - column inch section and either melodic phrase dry or use a dehydrator at 95 ° F until brittle .
After this they can be roasted in a 200 ° F oven for four hours , reason , and used as a coffee bean substitute .
Learn more about drying and storing herbaceous plant here .
Recipes and Cooking Ideas
From salad to coffee , our happy yellow - flowered pot is a versatile , nutrient plant .
If dandelion can be a coffee substitute , what about making it into tea ? Why not ?
you may make afternoon tea from saucy or dry leaves or flowers .
To make a snug cuppa , add together clean or dry works role to a strainer and brew in boiling water for five to 10 mo .
you’re able to instruct more about thedifferent ways to use dandelions for food and health in our guide .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Weeds or Not, Dandelions are Garden Delights!
light to arise and hefty to boot , you really ca n’t go wrong with a small patch of blowball in your garden .
Not only do dandelion provide you and your pollinator friends with food , but they can be good for other plants in your garden as well .
And more for more selective information about growingedible flowersin your garden , check out these pathfinder next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . ware photos via Arbico Organics and Earthbeat Seeds . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . With extra committal to writing and redaction by Clare Groom and Allison Sidhu .
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Sylvia Dekker
