Dandelions add nitrogen to the soil -- I know it's true, cause I read it here on ATP earlier this year

You are right, Mary, they also attract pollinating insects to your garden.

Another thing, their deep tap roots bring up nutrients and moisture beyond the range of normal plants, so that the soil improves in quality as long as the dandelion is there. And it doesn't fight other plants for space, contrary to what some think. It's a good companion plant actually.

I could have written a much longer article about dandelions, but as busy as we are these days, I figured it would catch more attention if it were very short and to the point. Or maybe not, most people hate them.

Thanks for reminding me about nitrogen. I hadn't forgotten, I just sort of skimmed over a lot of benefits.

I hadn't known about the nitrogen until I read it here, and I love it. I've been telling the whole world, because it gives me a justification for welcoming them in my yard. And I've always loved their bright yellow faces.

Me too about justification. I also like them around flowers that Japanese beetles seem to devour. Seems the scent of dandelions is a deterrent for some insects, so if they smell them anywhere near my roses, the JBs don't come around. I just tell everybody the dandelions are my understory for the roses

Sharon said:Me too about justification. I also like them around flowers that Japanese beetles seem to devour. Seems the scent of dandelions is a deterrent for some insects, so if they smell them anywhere near my roses, the JBs don't come around. I just tell everybody the dandelions are my understory for the roses

SWEET! Next time one goes to seed, I'll grab the seedhead and carry it over to my carpet roses before I blow the seeds away.

they are just magical plants, children love them for their cheery yellow flowers and fairy like seedheads, I let them grow where they will in my garden.

Great picture!! Thanks Michelle.
Me too. And they are usually the first blooms I see. I get about as excited about them as I do my daylilies and roses.

And they are magical for sure.

keyi said:

• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
• Uploaded by keyi

they are just magical plants, children love them for their cheery yellow flowers and fairy like seedheads, I let them grow where they will in my garden.

LOVE the picture....thanks for posting it!

I've never understood why so many people hate dandelions so. I love them! What's not to like about them? They're some of the prettiest flowers I've ever seen. They can be seen from a long distance. They bloom their little hearts out. Personally, I find the foliage pretty too. They aren't picky about soil quality nor moisture.They aren't generally bothered by bugs or disease. They don't require fertilizer. All of these things we revere in flowering plants. We hybridize to combine all these wonderful qualities into plants. We go to great lengths & spend many $ to obtain plants with all these qualities.
I'll save my dollars & save myself a trip to the nursery & let the dandelions do their thing!

When my dad was four or five, he picked a HUGE bunch of my great-grandmother's favorite Irises. Needless to say, she was NOT happy. He got in so much trouble over that, the NEXT time he picked flowers for Granma Jessie, he pulled up a HUGE bunch of dandelions. All the adults thought it was so funny that they made a big fuss over him and, from then on, Granma Jessie always got dandelions from Dad whenever they were in bloom.

lovemyhouse said:When my dad was four or five, he picked a HUGE bunch of my great-grandmother's favorite Irises. Needless to say, she was NOT happy. He got in so much trouble over that, the NEXT time, he picked flowers for Granma Jessie, he pulled up a HUGE bunch of dandelions. All the adults thought it was so funny that they made a big fuss over him and, from then on, Granma Jessie always got dandelions from Dad whenever they were in bloom.

Cute.

Great story, Debra, I love that!

Thank you so much for this Sharon - I've been drinking my dandelion tea EVERYDAY

Love all the stories and off to check out the wine recipe

We looked forward to the first dandelions in spring. Our children thought it was a game to see how many tiny dandelion buds they could find for the dinner saute. We loved the greens also.
And I love seeing them in blooms, in my lawn and anywhere else they decide to come up and present their cheerful blooms. : )

Good for you, Lynn! With the price of veggies these days, it might not be a bad idea to hold on to some of the seeds!

I really do love the batter fried blooms, and they really do remind me of mushrooms. The greens are good in stir fry and pasta dishes too.

Dandelions also make great chains for bracelets and necklaces for little girls!

And crowns for little heads and decorations for long hair!

As does clover - used to love making clover chains