Dandelions

[shonam]

I know they are considered weeds by us but my wee rabbit loves them and they're really good for him. What I was wondering is would I be able to grow some in a container from seed for him? I assume that if I was to de-head them when they flower this would stop it spreading to the rest of the garden without harming the plant.

Shona :)

[shonam]

[saddad]

You can actually buy dandelion seeds... if you are daft enough... but collecting the seed and pot growing for the rabbit would do the plant no harm... I'd just collect them anyway...  :-\

[antipodes]

I had about half a wheelbarrow full of them on Saturday - sorry about that!
What if you just let the wild ones grow and cut them before they flower? I hear that of you blanch the leaves for a few days they are tastier. They eat them in France but I don't eat the ones from the garden, they look a bit too wild.

[tim]

They've gone MAD this year. Daughter's bought-in lawn is now covered - as are all our hedgerows.

Trying a homemade killer. But also Roast Dandelion Root? Delicious snack!

[Robert_Brenchley]

I know they are considered weeds by us but my wee rabbit loves them and they're really good for him. What I was wondering is would I be able to grow some in a container from seed for him? I assume that if I was to de-head them when they flower this would stop it spreading to the rest of the garden without harming the plant.

Shona :)

It would be quicker just to dig up some dandelion roots and plant those.

[amphibian]

It would be quicker just to dig up some dandelion roots and plant those.

Spot on, dig it up take root cuttings and plant every piece. Dandelions, being a perrenial, can take some time to establish from seed. Not that you'd believe it, the speed the buggers appear.

[shonam]

Thanks for the replies. I know I probably seem mad but my bunny loves the things. :)

I spent alot of time in Greece when I was younger and they cook dandelion leaves and then serve them with loads of oil and lemon juice. It was called 'horta' but was really bitter so I think I'll stick to feeding the leaves to the bun. :)

[angle shades]

 :) you seem sane to me....I let them grow to feed my tortoise ;D / shades x

[goodlife]

No I don't weed all out...like I could ::)...I'll save plenty for my girls (chickens)..they munch it  ;D

[Vinlander]

Dandelions are great plants - the leaves are delicious when blanched like chicory and the roots make better coffee than chicory (though I've only ever used it pre-roasted from a tin).

I can't imagine why the Germans made ersatz coffee in the '40s from acorns (which was apparently awful) when dandelion coffee is so good!

The flowers are lovely - my favourite yellow flower - and don't feel guilty about giving them a haven - IT REALLY CAN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS - after all it only takes one plant per parish to fill every garden in it - probably one plant per county would be enough.

Enjoy this wonderful plant that brings useful minerals up from the subsoil and anyway only occupies spaces and niches that would grow much worse (and/or useless) weeds if it wasn't there.

The fact that it disrupts unnatural monocultures (eg. 'perfect' lawns) is its best feature in my opinion. Monoculture is basically life's minimum state of existence - the last stage before death.

Cheers.

[Ishard]

1 pound weight of clean flower heads
1  pounds white sugar
1 pint of water

Boil untill slightly thickened then strain off the flowers and you have dandelion syrup. Yum!

[GrannieAnnie]

Wilted YOUNG dandelion leaves in warm sweet sour sauce with crumbled bacon and hard cooked egg on top. My favorite early Spring dish. My mother's kin claimed they'd eat that in the Spring to "strengthen the blood after a hard winter."

[Geoff H]

And they are good for the bees as well. They are keeping my bees really busy and some are coming back loaded with dandelion pollen which they need for raising the new bees.
I hate it when they cut the grass opposite. But after a few days the dandelions and daisies come back which is much more attractive.

[Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!)]

not great when setting seed across your newly planted beds..... ;)

[Digeroo]

There are a lot of people growing a lot of dandelions on our site.  Mostly the people who rotavated.  Soon they are going to seed all over the place.  The pigs really love them.

[earlypea]

My theory is that having lots of dandelions strewn around keeps the slugs munching them and off my crops  - seems to be the case because I get very little slug damage and people with neat plots with no grass nor weeds between the beds seem to get waves of decimation.

Like I said, it's only a theory...... :P  Someone told me I should poison them, not likely.

[Digeroo]

I have never seen slugs munching on dandelions.

[Philbasford]

Dandelion wine is very nice:)

[saddad]

I have never seen slugs munching on dandelions.

Lift the rosette of leaves and you will nearly always find some...  :-X

[telboy]

I have not seen so many dandelions on verges as this year. Very attractive but what happens when they all seed?
Fortunate to have 'protected plots' from s/w weed driven winds but the plots have been invaded.