There are plenty of good things to say about the weed people love to hate.
Dandelions were intentionally brought to North America by European settlers in the 17th century.
For whatever reason, it was a conscious decision.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Dandelions are kind of like that misunderstood friend you have.
So if you ask the question, Are dandelions bad?
The answer is, Yeah, but they can be beneficial too.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Theyre Pretty
Those yellow flowers are a delightful treat after a gray and dull winter.
If youve ever seen a dandelion lawn in full bloom, you know its a cheery sight.
Or blowing the fluffyseed headsinto the air to make a wish?
Dandelion leaves can add color and nutrition to any just about any recipe that calls for greens.Credit: Jason Donnelly
(Nature is devious in effectively dispersing seeds, even stooping to kids games.)
Theyre Edible
Dandelion leavesadd a bitter,pepperyflavor to salads andsoups.
you’re free to also cook the greens to make them less bitter.
In any event, always harvest juvenile plants, which are less bitter.
Of course, you dont want to harvest dandelions from lawns treated with herbicides or pesticides.
Two of those nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin, play a role in healthy eyesight.
Dandelion greens also provideVitamin Cand calcium.
Theyre Ecological
Small birds eat the seeds, and severalpollinators get nectar from the flowers.
(Fun fact: dandelion roots can grow 10 to 15 feet into the ground!)
In addition, dandelions are among the first weeds to colonize disturbed land.
That may sound bad, but remember; nature abhors bare ground.
They Make a Good Wine
Its made by fermentingdandelion teawith yeast, sugar, and citrus.
Ways to Use Dandelion Greens
Do you like sneaking vegetables into meals whenever possible?
Try making hearty soups and stews: it’s possible for you to easily slip in nutritious vegetables.
Dandelion greens are no different.
Cut up the leaves and add them to other salad greens.
Toss them in a sandwich oromelet.
They also work well in pasta dishes.
How to Grow Dandelions
Youre kidding, right?
They dont need any help!
True, which is why you need tokeep them from becoming a nuisance.
If you want to grow them to eat, plant them in big containers in full sun.
Regularly clip the flower stems so they cant go to seed.
Andharvest leaves when theyre still small, so theyre more tender and less bitter.
Deciding to keep dandelions in your landscape can be a controversial decision.
Still, these plucky little plants can benefit you and your yard.
So pause a moment before you destroy them.
They have a variety of ecological uses, and their nutrients can even benefit your health.
