Can you save dandelion seeds?
Keep stored seed in an airtight glass or metal container in a cool, dark place. Refrigeration and freezing works well, but allow container to warm to room temperature before opening. Discard any seed that ever appears moldy. A year’s worth of collected dandelion seed. Plant dandelion seeds 1/8 of an inch deep. They need light for germination. Keep seeds moist until they germinate in 10 to 14 days. Seeds germinate in soil 50 to 70ºF.Mowing dandelions before seeding reduces spread via seed dispersal but does not stop the growth of existing plants. Chemical control of dandelions should be done in the late summer and early fall, although spring applications can also be effective.Dandelions are central to garden ecosystems, supporting more than 50 different species of insects, including bees, moths, flies and wasps. Garden birds then feed on some of these insects, so of course dandelions help to establish this food chain.By the time you see a dandelion plant it is well established, which is why it seems you can never get rid of all the Dandelions in your lawn. There’s always a new generation in the waiting. Individual plants can grow for 5-10 years and reach a considerable size, up to 50 cm across.
Do dandelion seeds produce new plants?
Dandelions can grow new plants from their roots or from seeds. They have a strong taproot that commonly penetrates 6 to 18 inches if not deeper into the soil. Each dandelion plant can produce up to 20,000 viable seeds. Nearly all parts of the dandelion plant are edible. People have used dandelions for hundreds of years in traditional recipes and medicines. Leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach. Flowers can be made into jelly or used to flavor drinks.Dandelions are nature’s soil savers. Their deep taproots penetrate the ground, reaching nutrients that many other plants can’t access. This helps improve soil health and can make it more fertile for other plants. Their roots also help aerate compacted soil, allowing water and oxygen to penetrate more deeply.Dandelions are edible weeds. Every part of the dandelion is edible: the flower, roots, stems, and leaves. Dandelion greens slightly resemble arugula, though longer, and have a similar spicy and bitter taste.
Can I eat dandelions raw from my yard?
Every part of this flowering herb, from the roots to the bright-yellow blossoms, can be eaten raw or cooked. Dandelion leaves can be harvested at any point in the growing season, and while the youngest leaves are considered to be less bitter and more palatable raw, the bigger leaves make delightful salad additions. Roots are harvested in spring through autumn. How to Harvest: Every part of dandelion is useful. Avoid harvesting along roadsides, agricultural or industrial sites, places that have been sprayed, or areas frequented by dogs. To eat dandelion leaves, pinch off young tender ones from the center of plants.