Grow Dandelions , They Aren't Just Weeds Anymore !

If you asked someone what they thought of when the topic of weeds came up , nine times out of ten you probably  would get the answer , " dandelion " . The eradication of this broad-leafed , yellow flowering plant is foremost on every urban gardener who has ever attempted to maintain the perfectly manicured turf grass.

Tools have been created just for dandelion eradication. I remember as a boy , spending many hours out in the yard with one of these long handled tools , designed with a metal forged fork on the end to pop up the deep tap roots of the dandelion . It was kind of like fighting a raging wild fire with a damp wash rag . The more dandelions I popped up , the more there seemed to be .

I remember my Dad one spring day in late April , when the dandelion population was particularly advanced in our front yard , and their white , fluffy , seed heads made it  look like it had snowed several inches over our entire lawn , reached a breaking point .

. He brought out the big gun , our large shop vac and a long extension cord . With the click of a switch and a loud roar , he began to grimly vacuum the seed heads off those pesky weeds. After a short time of vigorous suctioning  he knew the war was lost. The dandelions had won again , and would once more reign supreme in our beleaguered yard throughout the summer.

My view , however , of the dandelion as a noxious weed  has changed over the years after numerous studies and articles came out declaring the incredible nutritive and healing properties this plant contains.


A Bouquet Of Dandelions A Day Will Keep The Doctor Away ?

Yes , it turns out that pesky weed we all wanted to eradicate from our lawns is really a nutritious herb. All parts of the dandelion can be consumed in various ways , and it turns out this little plant is packed with vitamins our  bodies need for good health.


According to numerous studies , both the roots and the leaves of the dandelion offer great benefits to those suffering from appetite loss , kidney and gall bladder stones , liver problems , urinary tract infections , just to name a few .

Dandelion leaves contain more beta carotene than carrots and are rich in vitamins B1 , B2 , B5 , B6 , B12 , C , E , P , and D . They also contain phosphorous , magnesium , zinc and numerous other trace elements our bodies need for optimal health . They also contain more calcium then many of the leafy greens , including spinach

Uses Of The Dandelion :

The entire plant can be used in the preparation of an herbal remedy , roots , leaves . and flowers.
The flowers usually are not eaten , but they are used to make a wine.

Gathered early , after the spring's first warm spell , the leaves and roots are used as a spring tonic. They are also used to stimulate digestion and vitality after a long winter.

Dandelion greens are also used as a diuretic , an agent that promotes the removal of water from the body  through urination. This diuretic effect of the dandelion greens can aid in lowering blood pressure and relieving premenstrual fluid retention .

Dandelion roots contain substance s called inulin and levulin  These substances are believed to aid in balancing blood sugar levels in the body.

There is also a bitter substance found in the dandelion root called taraxacin  that stimulates digestion . This does leave a slightly bitter taste in the mouth , but this bitterness stimulates the flow of bile from the liver and gall bladder , as well as hydrochloric acid from the stomach greatly enhancing digestion .

Besides the stimulating bitter properties of the dandelion , it also contains choline , another liver stimulant .


Growing Dandelions For Market 

As I mentioned earlier , all parts of the dandelion are edible. Especially valuable are the roots and greens of this valuable herb.

Leaves when young can be used fresh in salads , particularly if they have been blanched before harvest .Dandelion greens are particularly popular in France .

Recently there has been a strong demand in the United States for roasted dandelion root and frozen dandelion blossoms .

Cultivation Of The Dandelion 

Dandelions require a long growing season and develop best at low temperatures .Sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inches deep in early May to early summer .Thin seedlings 8 to 10 inches apart in a row .

 The plants form a rosette of leaves and over-winter in the garden .They will grow in any well drained soil .

A polyethylene tunnel can be used over the row for late winter and early spring  cutting .Dandelions can be grown in the garden and should be regarded like lettuce . If grown for a fall crop it should be planted in mid-summer .

Harvesting

Harvest in the fall when plants are of satisfactory size .Cut just below the crown with a sharp knife to ensure that all the leaves are attached .Unharvested plants can be left for use in the following spring . 

When harvesting in the spring , make sure that you do it before plants form flower stalks and go to seed .If allowed to flower , the greens will become bitter and of poor quality .

Some gardeners blanch the inner rosette of leaves by tying the outer leaves over the plant .Blanching makes the leaves milder ans less bitter .

Varieties Of Cultivated Dandelions

Cultivated dandelions are generally much longer than the wild species , some growing leaves to 18 inches long.


There is a newly cultivated variety, the Red Dandelion ,  that has red stalks and red veins running through the green leaves . It is one of the few red leafed vegetables that keeps its red coloration after it has been cooked

.Conclusion

As you can see , the lowly dandelion , thought to be such a noxious weed , is really a very beneficial herb  The health benefits and the ease of cultivation makes this bitter herb a must in every garden .