Dandelions.... Weed or Superfood ?

Happyflowerlady

Happyflowerlady

Vagabond Flowerchild
Location
Northern Alabama
This is the time of year that the dandelions are starting to come up and show their yellow blossoms all over the yard, at least down South they are already out. Maybe not up north where they just keep having blizzard after blizzard . Why do we have all those dandelions, and are they a weed, or a super healthy green that is packed with vitamins and minerals ?

Dandelions are actually an herb, and were used not only as food, but also medicinally in Europe, and they were carefully brought over here by some of the first immigrants so that they could grow and use them in the new land. Obviously, they flourished here, and not only looked cheerful in the early spring gardens , but soon happily spread here and there over the countryside as well.

They were picked and eaten raw or cooked as greens, and in soups; and even the flower was cooked and eaten, or made into dandelion wine. Dandelions are packed with vitamins and minerals, and very easy to identify and harvest, so if you want to add some to your diet, it doesn't take much effort. The leaves get bitter as summer progresses, just like lettuce and other greens, so sautéing them with a little bacon or other meat is tastier than eating them raw in a salad.

Even the root can be dried, ground and added to coffee for a chickory-like flavor. So, if you are inclined, try out some of these healthy greens this spring, and see what you think. You may never weed again !
 

Superfood! :bananalama: I haven't taken the time or effort to use the dandelions in my yard for food or teas yet, but I will in the future. I never use weed killers or fertilizers, so the pickin' is good! :D I have been using a Dandelion extract supplement periodically for years now, good for kidney health, etc. http://www.natmedtalk.com/wiki/Dandelion
 
A weed is a plant out of place?? The worst weed in my garden is grass...once it takes hold there, it is really hard to get rid of. On the lawn, it is always welcome, as grass is hard to start here.
I haven't harvested the dandelion either, tho have tried the leaves in salads in Spring, and it is a nice addition. I"ve thought of growing a patch in the small garden, just for eating. Thanks for the link, SeaBreeze...I will read it further tomorrow. :)
 

I have so many (too many) other things growing in my garden, I've never tried dandelions.Purslane is another edible weed that tries to take over the garden. We did try some of it but didn't like it. I hesitate to let things grow that are too invasive.
 
Weed or super food? Either way, when it shows it's broad leaves or yellow blossom in my yard, it's dead!

I keep a bottle of 2,4D based broadleaf killer and relish the moments spraying the damned dandelion! Back in the days of my gardening business I had a riding spray rig and killed them (and other broadleaf weeds) by the kazillion every spring.

I just can't break the habit!

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My step-grandma was from West Virginia and couldn't wait for the Dandelions to come up. She would be in the yard snipping until she coulnd barely stand up, then get to the kitchen and make dandelion greens ---------- bitter dandelion greens. She boiled them in water, vinegar and salt - I don't think anything else when in there and it was awful - lollol

Poke weed, down here in Tennessee is also a popular "green" to prepare but it has to be cut at a certain growth or it becomes toxic ---- I'll pass on "Poke Salad Annie's" Poke Salad, as well:grey:

Our dandelions, wild onions, et.al. got sprayed with 2-4-D two weekends ago - thank you very much - lol lol lol lol

We didn't spray with-intent-to-kill either one. We sprayed to kill that damnable ground-covering-vine-like hop clover that chokes out every blade of grass it spreads over, makes the yard look a putrid yellow and is not fit for the horses even though they will eat it like I eat Hershey's Kisses.
 
Have heard about dandelions being eaten and made into wine but have never tried them. I do enjoy seeing them out in vacant lots when they're in bloom but around my yard they are fodder for the compost pile and I do love composting.

(There are flowers in my weed garden!)
 
Great plant for Bumblebees, i dont mind them. Used for teas and salads quite often, and of course for dandelion clocks and to find out if she loves m, she loves me not. :)
 
Have been sending dandelion seeds sailing (little parachutes) since childhood and never heard of a dandelion clock. Oh, what a sheltered life I've lived . . .
 
I haven't heard of Dandelion Clocks either, but it sounds interesting. Now I have done the loves me, loves me not with various flower petals. :peaceful:
 
Yup..the loves me, loves me not, or the 'do you like butter', when you hold it under someone's chin.
 
Apparently, Dandelion roots can make a decent Coffee substitute. Harvest the roots in the Autumn, scrub them but dont peel. Thoroughly dry them, preferably in the sun, then roast them until brittle and grind them coarsely and use as ordinary coffee. Being caffine free a good substitute.
 
I'm new to this forum...regarding dandelions.... I adore them.

When I feel bloated I eat dandelions and chicory that growns wild in my property. I boil the Leaves then toss in a pan with olive oil.

Although bitter you can also drink the water in which they were boiled. In spring tender wild chicory is a real treat for us .

These are the 'bitter herbs' eaten during Easter, and mentioned in the bible.
 

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