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Dandelion

Dandelion

A perennial member of the daisy family, dandelions are known for their bright yellow
flowers, dark green leaves, and seed-spreading puffballs that children love to blow on. While they
are largely considered to be weeds, they can be harvested and used in many ways with some health
benefits. Dandelions are edible from root to flower. Dandelions are perennials in most climates.
Leave the plant in place if you want to have it come back every year.


Young, small dandelion greens, also known as baby dandelion greens, are mild in flavor, so they are
great in salads and smoothies. However, mature dandelion greens (larger ones) will taste best if you
stir-fry so try sautéing dandelion greens with onions and garlic and a little bit of olive oil.
Introduction
Mr. John Doe

Head Director

Description

Dandelions grow wild and you can easily harvest their seeds whenthe plant is in the seed phase. This is when the top of the plant looks like a puffball. Each of the little feathery strands has a seed attached to it, so you can collect these in abag or other small container and take them home for planting. If you prefer to purchase dandelion seeds, then check your local garden center or look for seeds online. Wild dandelion greens may have a bitter taste, while cultivated dandelion greens will not be as bitter.
Optimal Time/Temperature for Germination:
Dandelions do best when they have full sunlight for a large part of the day, so choose a sunny location in your garden or plan toplace potted dandelions in a sunny window. Try going out in your yard a few times throughout the day to scope out the sunniest spot. For example, you could go outside at 8am, 12 pm, and 4 pm and note where the sun is at by placing a few rocks on the edges of where the sun is shining. If you will mainly be using dandelions for their leaves, then growing them in partial shade is a better option. This will help to reduce the bitterness of the leaves and the number of flowers it produces.
Optimal Soil Conditions:
Whether you’re harvesting from your own yard or elsewhere, only do so if the area hasn’t been treated with herbicides or other harmful chemicals. Also avoid areas that are prone to runoff from chemically-treated grounds. Additionally, steer clear of areas close to roadways or anywhere else that experiences high levels of air pollution, since dandelions can retain chemicals from car exhaust and other fumes. Do not plant your dandelions in an area with poor drainage or a tightly packed soil, such as clay. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil before you plant if it is tightly packed. Use a loosely packed potting soil with added compost as the growing medium. Ensure your soil is between 6.0-6.5 .
Seed Planting Depth, Spacing and Procedure:
The dandelion seed will need to be 6 inches(15 cm) apart for flowers and 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) apart for greens. Flowers will need more room than baby dandelion greens because they will have deeper roots. Measure the distance between your seeds to ensure that they will have plenty of room. Leave the seeds uncovered if you are planting indoors. You will not need to worry about the seeds getting blown out. Dandelions do best in a shallow bed. Do not plant your dandelions in an area with poor drainage or a tightly packed soil, such as clay. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil before you plant if it is tightly packed. Use a loosely packed potting soil with added compost as the growing medium.
Best Companion Plants and Plants that Hinder:
Allow dandelions to grow near early flowering fruits and vegetables because they’ll attract pollinators on the look out for nectar and will increase the probability ofpollination and ripening. Fruits and vegetables like broad beans, early strawberries, apricots, plums, peaches, early apples, early pears, and cherries.

Growing Instructions

Crop Maintenance

Dandelions can regrow after the “puff-ball” seeds have been blown away. They grow small buds along their main root, or taproot, which become new stems. This iswhy it’s so hard to get rid of them, as a new plant can emerge from the smallest piece of root left in the ground.
Moisture Requirements & Solutions:
Dandelions need a lot of water to thrive, so plan to water them regularly. However, do not water them too much. Water just enough so that the soil feels moist. Check the soil by poking your finger into it once every 2 to 3 days. If the soil feels moist, then they do not need water yet. If it feels dry, then give them some water.
Weeding Needs & Solutions:
Feeding Needs/Optimal Natural Fertilizers:
Can benefit from a bit of organic matter mixed into the soil, but otherwise do not need any specific fertilizer, though it will not be detrimental to their growth if they happen to receive some from nearby applications to other plants. Some examples are Down To Earth Alfalfa Meal, Epsom salt, or Kelp Meal.
Pests, Diseases & Solutions:
When to Harvest/Number of days to maturity:
If left too long, dandelion flowers will convert to seed distributing puffballs. This means that you might end up with an infestation of dandelions rather than a controlled crop of them. To prevent this from happening, cut the dandelion flowers right after they bloom. Use a pair of sharp garden shears to cut the flowers at the base of the stem near the leaves. You can cut the flower from the stem after harvesting and discard the stems. Wait for winter’s cold weather to turn the fibers into fructose, which will make them chewier and less bitter than a fall harvest would taste. If possible, hold off until after heavy rains, especially if you want the roots. Expect dandelions’roots to extend deeper into the earth than most other flowers of similar size. Wait for rains to loosen the earth to make extraction of these deeper roots much easier. Most of the medicinal benefits of dandelions come from the insoluble fibers in the root.Expect these to be highest during the fall. However, one exception to this rule: Their taraxacin levels are responsible for increasing bile production for a liver, rather than the insoluble fibers. Taraxacin levels are highest in spring, which means you should harvest them then for this exclusive purpose.
How to Harvest:
Again, this is particularly important if you’re after the roots. Keep in mind that the largest flowers will have the longest roots. Additionally, leave the smallest be in order to preserve the environment and leave food sources for insects and birds. This is especially important for future harvests. Leaving food sources for pollinating insects like bees will help keep the area full of more dandelions. Use a sharp pair of garden shears to snip the leaves away from the base of the plant. Cut as many individual leaves as needed or cut the entire rosette of greens from the root. You may also leave the smaller leaves to continue growing if desired. You can harvest the dandelion greens when they are small for the mildest flavor, or wait until they are larger if you prefer a bitter flavor. The roots of the dandelion should be large enough to harvest after the flowers have bloomed, but you can even harvest roots of dandelions that have gone to seed. To harvest the roots, insert a garden spade into the ground about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) from the base of the dandelion. Dig around the dandelion to loosen the dirt and make it easier to pull up, and then pull the dandelion root out of the ground. You may be able to pull up younger dandelion roots without digging since they tend to be shallower than mature ones.
Optimal Storage temperature and conditions:
If you weren’t able to get rid of all the excess soil when you first harvested the dandelions, do so now. Use your fingers to rub it off. Rinse the roots under a gentle stream of water to wash the soil away. To preserve roots, you need to dry them, which will take longer for thicker roots. To speed the process up, slice the thickest ones in half. If necessary, quarter them so they’re approximately the same thickness as your thinnest roots. If you have a food dehydrator, set the temperature to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). Place the roots inside and let them dry until they turn brittle. If you don’t have a dehydrator: Lay them out on a screen or hang them individually with strings or clothespins in an area with strong air circulation. Let them air-dry until they turn brittle.This may take anywhere between 3 to 14 days, or even longer, depending on your climate. Once they’ve completely dried, place your roots in a jar or some other airtight container. Seal them tightly and store them in a dry, cool environment. If sealed and stored properly, roots should last up to one year. The roots of dandelions are often used to make tea. Chop the roots up into 0.25 in (0.64 cm) pieces and store them in a glass jar. You can also use the flowers to make a jelly. You can create a good substitute for coffee out of dandelion root. To roast, cut the roots into 1/4 inch to1/2 inch (6- 12 mm) parts. Then layer on a large cookie sheet about 1/2 inch (12 mm) deep. Preheat your oven to 250˚F (120˚C) and set the sheet in, leaving the door slightly open to let moisture escape. Every 15 minutes, stir the root pieces to ensure even drying. Repeat this stirring for an hour and a half to two hours.
Optimal Preserving Procedures:
Seed Saving:

Harvest and Storage

Notes

To make a cup of dandelion tea, place 1 teaspoon of the dried root pieces into 1 cup (240 mL) of boiling water and let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain the tea and enjoy once it is cool enough to drink. If you are foraging anywhere other than your own property, make sure you aren’t breaking any rules by doing so. Don’t harvest on private property. With public land, double-check with your local, state, or federal government to find out if there are any rules prohibiting you from removing vegetation or otherwise disturbing the environment. A single dandelion head has over 300 flowers that look like petals at first glance. No wonder they spread so prolifically. So it is a shame that so many gardeners waste this free resource that nature provides us with. (Dandelion Weed Fertilizer is actually incredibly useful).

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