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Though untried kid might make out their fluffy seed heads , most lawn - tending grown - ups apprehension the sight of dandelions . agree toKim Eierman , an ecological landscape designer in Bronxville , N.Y. , dandelions can appear anywhere , and the weeds “ specially like sun , ” she state . Eierman , who is the author ofThe Pollinator Victory Garden : acquire the War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening , has mass of musical theme for forbid and eliminating dandelions , which she address “ prolific reseeders , even encroacher , ” and not as helpful to pollinator as many published hacks and meme might paint a picture .
Dandelions are broadleaf perennial weeds , with a taproot that will regrow if not remove completely . When considering how to pop dandelion , one option is to assure the plant ’ regrowth by digging deeply enough to pull up those roots ( which can develop to 3 animal foot long ) . The plants also spread by come . On a single plant , those intumescent brain that come out after the yellow flowers disappearance can bear 20,000 feasible cum . “ Do n’t allow [ a dandelion ] go to come and you ’re already ahead of the game , ” tell Eierman . In general , the dependable way to stamp out dandelion is a natural and multipronged approach .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
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Project Overview
Working Time : 30 minutesTotal Time : 1 time of day to 12 weeks , depend on methodSkill horizontal surface : BeginnerEstimated Cost : $ 0 to $ 40
Before You Begin
Lawn owner often pick up that they should let blowball be . The plant life do have some edible part , their taproots help aerate the soil , and the heyday contain some pollen — though not helpful food .
“ Contrary to popular opinion , dandelions fail to provide nutritious pollen for bee , ” says Eierman . She explicate that bee rely on pollen to feed their young , but that of dandelions is not as nutritious as that of native plants . “ At least 25 percent of our native bee species in North America specialize in the pollen of particular native plants that they have evolved with , ” she order . Dandelion is not among the specialist plants .
Eierman say that dandelions also have some allelopathic tendencies , which means they can discourage growth of some plant around them , and they compete with those native pollen producer for resources like nutrients and water . The dandelion debate boils down to personal penchant , how many dandelion are present , and how much work a gardener can do to control and forestall them naturally .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
If you may digest a few in your otherwise pristine sod and are willing to control their paste , let the dandelions be . If not , try our steps below , relying on innate methods before deciding whether to repair to chemical substance treatment .
How to Get Rid of Dandelions Naturally
Eierman ’s approach to landscaping is “ always do no harm , ” so she advocates raw control method . She also advance her clients to turn a divers set of plant life to support native bees and wildlife , rather than a great lawn of non - aboriginal turf . Start with the steps below to get rid of the weeds naturally .
Step 1: Dampen the soil.
First , use a watering can to dampen the soil around the dandelion , and waitress a few mo ( or take on this task after it rains ) . The taproot will come up more easily if the soil is soft and moist .
Step 2:Dig up the dandelions.
Then , sour a weeding knife down along the understructure of the green goddess in two or three place . force the soil away from the root of the plant by wiggling the knife . Finally , apprehend the base of the plant between your fingers andpull the weedgently . If it still sense stuck , work the weeding knife around some more , and then gently pull out the entire taproot with the dandelion .
Other option are to expend adandelion weed creature , or along - handled weeding toolthat makes it potential toremove weeds from a standing position . Moisten the territory as described above and use the tool accord to its instruction . In ecumenical , you have to fag as deep as the weed ’s taproot to keep it from growing back the next class . “ Get the dandelion weeder and go to town ; it ’s very meditative , ” Eierman say .
Tried-and-True Advice
“ Most of the time I give blowball just where they are , but if I do require to remove dandelion from a flower or veg bed , I always reach out for my hori - hori . Hori - hori kniveshave a long , slender blade with a serrated bound , which can reach deep in the stain and sever long dandelion wiretap roots with minimal digging . If dandelions are belt down up in hard - to - reach maculation , like sidewalk cracks , I spray them with horticultural vinegar , which is more acidulous than standard household vinegar and works tight . ”
— Lauren Landers , Contributing Writer
Step 3: Carefully target the dandelion root with an organic herbicide.
If mitt - pulling is not an option , or the root fault , you’re able to try an constitutive herbicide . Most raw herbicides you ’ll get at the store are nonselective , think they will kill any works they contact , including your grass . Keeping that in thinker , carefully apply herbicide ( either acommercial herbicideor ahomemade sens - killing result ) only into the mess from which you just pulled the dandelion . Be indisputable to follow the producer ’s directions for use and safety when applying herbicides .
Although homemade method like boiling water , acetum , and corn meal often are touted as weed - control methods , they typically are not tough enough to penetrate dandelions ’ recollective taproots and generally cultivate best on vernal weeds that are just emerging . However , those willing to take metre to trythese instinctive methodsmay have achiever , particularly with stopping the weed from forming a viable ejaculate puff . coalesce limited function of a natural herbicide with hand - pulling could be the best answer to getting rid of dandelions for good .
How to Get Rid of Dandelions Using Herbicides
If rude methods fail to hold dandelions , or the skunk have taken over an sphere of the landscape , more drastic bill might be in order . It ’s right to employ any commercial nonorganic weed killer as a last holiday resort , and only if necessary .
Step 1: Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to the hole after digging, or to bare areas of soil.
Despite campaign in a given class to stop seeds from forming on dandelions , hundreds of seeds might already consist in waiting in your railway yard from premature class , or blow in from surround lawns or playing field . Pre - emergent herbicides can keep those dormant source from becoming executable weeds . Just be aware that these herbicides are non - selective , so herbicides also will prevent smoke or flower seeds from growing in treated area for at least 8 to 12 weeks . If thegrass typehas runners , these might fill in , or you’re able to choose fireplug or sodomite over seed bare spots .
Step 2: Apply a broadleaf weed killer, only if necessary to stop re-emerging dandelions in turf.
If a dandelion grow back from a portion of base left in the reason or manages to mature from seed despite applying pre - emergence herbicides nearby , stress targeting the gage with a natural weed killer first .
As a last resort , choose a broadleafweed killercontaining chemical substance weed killer such 2,4 - D , dicamba , and MCPP if the organicdandelion killerfails after several endeavor . Commonly tag as “ weed - and - provender ” or “ greensward builder , ” these Cartesian product comprise nitrogen to feed grass along with the ingredients that attack dandelions .
Spray any weed killer sparingly , only on the job weeds , and always according to all package direction for economic consumption and refuge . Again , hand - pulling is the most eco - friendly and safest option , along with weed bar .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
How to Keep Dandelions From Growing Back
Eierman say one of the best ways to forbid dandelions and support bees and the environs is to have less ( or no ) lawn and more diverse plants , particularly natives . “ Keep the lawn that you really use , ” she enounce . These might be spots the dog apply , where the kids play , or grassy areas for entertaining and recreation . “ Lose the rest , and supervene upon it with native plants , ” says Eierman . She also hint that multitude stop sharpen on perfection in landscapes , which are ecosystems . Avoid getting too hung up on a few weeds or a big and pristine turf . make a healthy ecosystem with diverse aboriginal plants in sufficient quantities to draw bee and butterfly .
“ The part you keep , manage it organically , ” says Eierman . A strong and healthy lawn will be less susceptible to weed encroachment and will better contend with green goddess like dandelions . Think long terminal figure and surveil these standard recitation forgood lawn carethat supports the surround :
Final Thoughts
This routine for eliminating dandelions is prison term use up , but with a niggling forbearance , you may keep in line and prevent dandelions and similar weeds with natural method acting , specially by draw them . If you take toembrace blowball for their touted benefit , just do n’t give them too much credit or leeway . Be vigilant and consistent about keeping dandelion seed from spreading , which your neighbor also will thank you for .
Then , consider some foresighted - condition bar . “ If we want to support bee , repress lawn ( and non - native lawn grass ) and planting ecologically supportivenative plantsis essential , ” say Eierman .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
We ’ll aid you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a elevate layer , or an in - ground patch out back — and choose the right plants for your soil and area .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
