I've recently noticed a surge of dandelions in my yard, especially after we've had some sunny weather in western Washington. Last weekend, I spent six hours pulling them out by hand, but just three days later, they're back in full force. I purchased Scotts Turf Builder Weed Feed Fertilizer and plan to pull out the new growth again before applying it. Should I also consider aerating and overseeding my lawn first? I'm pretty new to landscaping, so any advice for maintaining a healthy and nice-looking yard would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Just so you know, pulling out the flowers won’t get rid of the dandelions since they have deep taproots. You’ll have to yank out the entire root. I usually use a screwdriver to loosen the soil around the base before prying them out. That’s how I deal with thistles too! But honestly, I've stopped removing them altogether because they’re great for the bees. They love the pollen!
Yeah, I’ve used a root cutter to dig them out, and let me tell you, those roots can go deep, like 5 inches or more!
In some cultures, we actually eat the dandelion greens! If you boil them with a bit of salt and butter, they make a tasty dish. Just a fun idea if you’re feeling adventurous!
If you really want to eliminate those dandelions, you could use a herbicide like 2,4-D. Just mix 1 oz of it per gallon of water. It targets broadleaf weeds like dandelions while keeping your lawn safe. Just a thought!
I started noticing the same thing. I was so focused on getting rid of them until I saw how much the bees loved them!