Remove the Dandelion…Keep the Dandy-lawn

Email Page

Print Page

Veronica Lorson Fowler

Extras

Add Photo to Journal

Photo Credit: Saniphoto

Sure, a field of dandelions may look pretty, but in the home landscape, heavy infestations crowd out grass, making for a patchy, thin lawn.

A Japanese woman visiting Kansas City years ago was struck by the beauty of American lawns. “What were those charming little yellow flowers that produced the most beautiful, ephemeral floating seeds?” she asked. You probably already guessed the answer: dandelions.

She was right. Dandelions are adorable – as well as deplorable. Known botanically as Taraxacum officinale, these little weeds spread rapidly through the yard…and the neighbor’s yard…and all around the block if they’re allowed to get even the slightest foothold. The familiar yellow flowers can crowd out grass and create a patchy, problematic lawn. And these rotten little perennials will only grow larger from year to year if you let them.

So what’s a gardener to do? Well, there are a few common strategies you can use to get rid of these wily weeds:

Add Photo to Journal

Photo Credit: Pali A

The fluffy white tops of dandelion seed heads act as tiny parachutes to lift and carry the seed with the wind.

Pulling. One of the simplest ways to get rid of dandelions is to pull them. The problem, however, is that their long taproot can stretch down as far as 10 inches. But if you get as much of the taproot as possible – being sure to get at least the top 2 inches of the dandelion root – you’ll almost certainly kill it.

There are a number of tools you can use to help pull out the weed. So which ones are good and which ones are useless, expensive gadgets? Well, if you like using one that gets at least that top 2 inches of the taproot out, then it’s a good tool for you. (Remember that if you’re not satisfied with the way a tool works, most reputable retailers will accept a return, as long as it’s within a certain time period and you have the original packaging and receipt.)

For the best results, you need to pull dandelions before they go to seed. It’s also easier to get them out when the soil is somewhat moist. If possible, time your dandelion digging right after a rain, or water the lawn well before you head out for a weed-pulling session.

Of course, depending on the amount of weeds you’re fighting, digging dandelions can be a time-consuming task, as well as a difficult chore for anyone with bad knees or back problems. But it’s a great job for kids, and it’s amazing what those little whippersnappers will do for a nickel a weed! (Or tell them that if they collect 100, you’ll take them out for ice cream.)

Facts

The word origin of “dandelion” is interesting: It comes from Old French dentdelion, tooth (dent) of the lion, which alludes to the plant’s sharply indented leaves.
Dandelions can be beneficial to gardens: They attract beneficial ladybugs by providing early spring pollen for them to feed on. In a University of Wisconsin study, plots with dandelions had more ladybugs than plots without. The plot with dandelions also had fewer pest aphids (which ladybugs also feed on).

Tips

If you’re using a nonselective herbicide (one that kills all plants it touches) on your dandelions, consider using a tin can with both ends cut out to set over the dandelion before you spray. This prevents the chemical from getting on surrounding plants. Before applying any chemical, always carefully read and follow all instructions and warnings on the label!

Faqs

Q: I heard that dandelions are edible. Is that true?
A: Yes, the leaves are edible and have a bitter, astringent quality not unlike arugula. Harvest dandelion leaves when they’re small – and only from an area that has not been sprayed so you don’t ingest harmful lawn chemicals! The leaves can be made into a salad all by themselves, but due to their strong flavor, you might want to mix them with milder baby lettuces. You can also sauté them, like spinach.

Page 1 of 2

Next Steps

Articles

Renovate an Existing Lawn
Is your turfgrass looking a little sickly in spots? Don’t give up on it. Identifying why your lawn is suffering is the first (and most important) step in solving the problem – and the key to fixing the issue so it doesn’t take down your whole lawn.
Your Lawn in Need: Stop the Broadleaf Weed
Without proper lawn maintenance, broadleaf weeds can be a big problem in turfgrass – and getting rid of these lawn invaders can be a recurring headache if it’s not done correctly. Learn the right approach to eliminating these particular plant pests in your yard.
Are You Watering Your Grass Properly?
If your lawn has brown, patchy spots, you might not be watering evenly. Here are a few simple tests to help you determine whether your entire yard is getting the right amount of H20.

RATE THIS PAGE

On average this item has been rated a 4 out of 5.