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Hi, guys!
It won’t be long now before the weeds show up.
I typically pull them up by hand or tool. A nice layer of mulch goes a long way toward preventing them from taking hold, and when they do, they pull up easily.
In the lawn, I just let them be. When they’re mowed, they’re green just like the grass, and that’s all I’m after.
One of the most hated — and loved — weed is the dandelion, which can be found on all six continents.
Dandelions are widely known for granting children wishes, as the story goes, when their seedheads are blown into the air. And they’re known for ruining lawns, too. But there might be something to appreciate about the maligned perennial herb.
Before you roll your eyes, consider that according to Merriam-Webster the definition of a weed is “a plant that is not valued where it is growing.” So if you like it, it’s technically not a weed. Still, its detractors may have a point.
The plant, botanically named “Taraxacum officinale” gets its common name, dandelion, from the French “dent de leon,” which translates to “lion’s tooth,” a reference to the plant’s jagged leaves. It reportedly was brought to America deliberately by settlers during colonial times for its medicinal benefits.
Dandelions have been used throughout history as a digestive aid and diuretic, and were also believed to cure everything from toothaches to vision problems (grain of salt here). And they are high in vitamins A, C and K, among others, and provide a nice boost of calcium.
I grew up eating their peppery leaves, which my father would forage in the backyard. He used them in a delicious salad tossed with sliced hard boiled eggs, olive oil, salt and pepper. Sometimes, he’d get fancy and add some orange slices to the mix.
If you want to forage your own dandelions, only use those that have not been exposed to lawn chemicals, and avoid eating anything that grows on the roadside, where exhaust fumes, visiting dogs and who knows what else could have contaminated them.
Also, never eat anything from the garden (or wild area) unless you are ONE HUNDRED PERCENT certain that you know what it is because some plants have toxic lookalikes. Mistaking lily of the valley, for instance, with edible bear’s garlic can prove fatal.
Dandelions serve as one of the earliest spring sources of nectar to some types of bees. Later in the season, small birds feast on their seeds. And, although their deep taproots make them difficult to eradicate, they can break up even the most compacted soil, aerating it as they grow.
Yes, they can spoil the appearance of the perfect lawn (something I hope you’re getting over), and that’s problematic because dandelions are among homeowner’s top reasons for applying herbicides to grass. Those chemicals poison pollinators and other beneficial insects, and can kill birds and pollute groundwater.
Dandelions also can ruin the appearance of a flower bed, and their long taproots make them difficult to eradicate. Plus, many of the hundreds of seeds that make up those fluffy puffs will take root when the wind (or a person) blows them around, which is why they’re still so prevalent all these years later.
So what to do?
If you’d like to grow dandelion greens as an edible, plant them in a pot. As you might imagine, they won’t need much help thriving. As the plants grow, snip their leaves while they’re young and tender, and remove flower stems to prevent them from going to seed. Win-win!
Got a gardening question? Ask it here.
💡 If you do one thing this week…
Test your soil’s pH. A reading of 7.0 is considered neutral. Below 7.0 is acidic; above it is alkaline. Learn the required pH for the plants you are growing and amend the soil with ground limestone to raise it or elemental sulfur to lower it. Here are more details.
👏 Sunday shoutout
“Roses do not usually like south Florida,” writes reader Libby Sloan. “We planted these tiny miniature roses in a pot beside our pool deck four years ago. They survived several hot summers and — voila! — the beauty they have produced (with some fertilizer and a neighbor’s TLC!”
It’s a wonderful to have good neighbors, Libby, and your rose bush is looking lush and and healthy! Is it me, or does anyone else think it’s heart-shaped?
Send in your photo, and you could be featured next (bonus points if you’re in the picture!)
📰This week in my Associated Press gardening column
I write a weekly gardening column for the AP, so you might have seen my byline in your local paper (or news website) — wherever in the world you happen to be. In case you miss it, I’ll post the most recent here every week.
THIS WEEK: Exciting new fruit and vegetable varieties to grow this year
LAST WEEK: Dreaming of summer peaches? Some gardening tips for growing them in many climates
BEFORE THAT: Covering ground in the desert
ONE MORE: Before you start seeds indoors, make sure they’re not duds
You can read all my AP gardening columns here.
📚📺🎵 Random things I enjoyed this week
🎥 I attended an Oscar-nominated live-action shorts film festival, which has been a tradition for years. There’s a pool, and the winner (revealed after the Oscar is awarded) gets free movie tickets. Short films don’t get the love they deserve, but it takes real talent to develop characters and tell an intricate story that reaches an audience with gut-wrenching emotion, humor or any of a range of emotions, in roughly 20 minutes.
🎤 I caught Nellie McKay for the second time at a tiny supper club in my town, and, as usual, she was fantastic. If you’re not familiar with her, check her out. She’s so talented — a great singer and keyboardist who also plays the ukulele and harmonica — and tells jokes. What more could you want on a Saturday night?
This newsletter is member-supported
This week’s newsletter was made possible by generous support from Suzanne Rosenfeld, Gary, @womansworkco, Carolyn Orlik, Sheila A. Schroeder and a reader who wishes to remain anonymous. We wouldn’t be here without you — thank you so much!
I put a lot of effort into researching, writing and producing this newsletter every week, and I couldn’t do it without your support.
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📧 How’m I doing?
I welcome your comments and suggestions, so please send them along — as well as any topics you’d like to see covered and questions you’d like answered in the Ask Jessica section.
I remember my mom saying she picked dandelions leaves and her mom added to soup. Yes, they were very poor. I enjoy your newsletter. I also use a gardening tool on gardensavvy.com
I see you’re looking for people to contribute to your company. Have you ever thought about partnering with another garden company? Maybe they would give you a commission from anyone who signs up for their computer tool. Or maybe blog on their site.