Most people regard the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) as an invasive weed that takes over lawns and flowerbeds every spring. Dandelions can be planted as a food resource, while in several instances this is correct. Dandelion greens are high in Vitamins A, K and C and include an important amount of iron and fiber. Dandelions may make a useful addition to the house herb or vegetable garden, plus they are able to be grown outside in Sunset’s Environment Zones 1 through 2 4 following a lot of the same rules as backyard lettuce.
Prepare the seed bed for the dandelions by incorporating compost or an all purpose vegetable fertilizer to the soil. Though dandelions tend to develop properly in even low quality soil, they react to soil that is fertile.
Sow your dandelion seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch-deep in your late seeds 2 to 3″ apart. So don’t cover the seeds, dandelion seeds need an excellent deal of of sunshine to germinate.
Water your dandelion seeds retaining the top inch of soil moist but not damp. Dandelions develop rapidly when well-watered, therefore it’s most useful to to regulate the quantity of water therefore they don’t develop out of control, your dandelions get.
As soon as they develop their first pair of leaves, thin out the seedlings. Pinch off the specimens that are smaller and keep enough of the seedlings that are bigger they are spaced between 10 and 12″ apart.
Allow your dandelions to develop for a number of weeks till they start to generate leaves that are b road. The leaves of your dandelion crops might differ to look at in accordance with the cultivar you might be using.
Harvest your dandelion leaves or fall by slicing off the leaves just just beneath the crown having a knife. When they’re less than 10″ well before prior to the plant flowers, the leaves needs to be harvested, or else they are going to become bitter in flavor.
Dig your dandelion crops up utilizing a needle-nose spade in the event that you program to harvest the roots. The roots of dandelion crops are harvested in planting season of the second-year or late the first-year.
Leave your dandelion crops that are unharvested for the yr. You might want to cover your dandelion crops having a a chilly body to protect them through the entire winter.