Yellow, yellow everywhere. Interspersed with the yellow, were just as plentiful white puffballs of fluff. Hardly any green. It was a dandelion haven.
As a child, I recall picking dandelions as a flower bouquet for Mom or Gran. They loved them, or so they claimed, and made a big deal of placing them in water on the window ledge. The dandelions quickly wilted, even in the water.
Then the white puffballs appeared, and I picked the stems carefully so that I could make a wish and blow it with great gusto, spreading my wish into the wind. Thinking back, perhaps Mom and Gran were not amused with my technique of spreading dandelion seeds.
But wait. Isn’t that a good thing? Spreading more dandelions far and wide? We may prefer green grass and weed-free gardens, but what about the birds? And the butterflies? And the honeybees? Not to mention thehealth benefits for humans, too.
I can live with dandelions, in moderation. As long as they stay out of my gardens. Which I know they won’t.
More Dandelions, More Pollinators
This invasive, prolific flower is part of the Asteraceae family of flowering plants. Found world-wide, this plant is totally edible. An early spring to summer species, the dandelion flower is a vital nectar source to a large host of pollinators, most specifically the honeybee. Dandelions are known by a lot of names, some not worth mentioning. Weed is the first name that comes to mind, but dandelions are also herbs.
To eradicate or not to eradicate, that is the dandelion question. Well, all in moderation. With trowel in hand, I set out to do battle with the dandelion plague, one plant at a time. What I discovered in my field of dandelions, truly amazed me. It was the size! Not only were there lots of dandelions, but they were huge! I was used to city dandelions, small and plentiful.
These country ones, plentiful, yes, but they were also at least a foot from the tip of one leaf to the tip of the opposite leaf. Even the flowers were larger, comfortably filling the palm of my hand. And the roots! I asked a neighbor if the previous owners had harvested dandelions to make wine. She wasn’t sure what I was talking about.
Her pat answer was, “You live in the country.” So, in other words, I had to accept it. Whilst I had no intention of makingdandelion wineordandelion tea, for that matter, I was determined to eliminate the large plants. I wasn’t about to let these humongous plants take over my garden plots. I would leave them in the grass. In moderation. But not in my gardens.
Grass Versus Dandelions
Or should I allow them to stay? At least in the lawn. Then I considered this: Grass is a weed, too. A plant with short roots, grass grows aggressively and spreads prolifically. Just like dandelions. Only dandelions have a long root. Weeds. Which is worse? Grass or dandelions? Or perhaps we should be asking, which is better for the environment, for nature? Grass or dandelions?
我选择把蒲公英留在草坪上。蒲公英是比草更好的选择。仔细想想,修剪整齐的绿色草坪就是传粉荒漠。那里没有蜜蜂或鸟类等昆虫可以享受的东西。在另一种意义上,它也是沙漠。草的根很短,它们不能吸收那么多的水。
The longer roots of dandelions absorb more moisture, preventing erosion. I recall an urban neighbor grumbling about my dandelions and wildflowers spreading onto her lawn. During a torrential rainfall, however, I would stand at my front window, shaking my head as I watched her manicured lawn being washed away, while the soil around my dandelions and wildflowers remained intact. Poetic justice, I thought.
我的蒲公英根深蒂固,保护我的草坪不被冲走。在这个国家,这些巨大的蒲公英,它们的根又长又深,肯定会有帮助。
Trading Herbicides For A Trowel
Back to the trowel doing battle with the dandelions. I wasn’t going to spray herbicides. I figured the plants were too big to kill with a chemical, and I didn’t want to sterilize my garden soil. If it’s strong enough to kill one weed, it’s strong enough to kill everything that tries to grow in the soil. So, I dug and pulled and out they came, one huge mass of leaves and roots after another.
City budgets have started removing herbicide spraying on city land. Perhaps it’s just a matter of budget cuts, but I like to think that someone in City Hall cares about the environment. The result? Instead of green lawns, many cities now boast yellow dandelion lawns. And lots of honeybees.
Always avoid spraying herbicides or pesticides. The chemicals kill more than just the plant or the bugs. Sprays poison the soil as well as the pollinators like the honeybees. Don’t dig up. Don’t cut down. Or at least only do it in moderation. Savor the luscious wildness of a dandelion lawn. Yellow is much prettier than green, don’t you think? And remember, the more dandelions, the more pollinators. In short, save the honeybees. They’re an endangered species. If you value your honey, keep the dandelions.
Irene Jonessays
我刚听到一则报道,说草坪对环境有害。我一直在打蒲公英之战,却失败了。我突然意识到,离开他们可能是一个更好的选择。你的网站是我发现的唯一一个鼓励这一点的网站,非常感谢。我在澳大利亚的乡下,有一英亩的草坪。让我们看看我怎么做。
Emily-Jane Hills Orfordsays
I think it’s great you’re doing this. The honeybees and humming birds will thank you.
Juliesays
I prefer a variety of flowering plants in my lawn. Dandelions are too aggressive. I enjoy violets, English daisies, creeping sedums, ajuga, lamium, several others.