Edible Dandelions? How to Grow and Harvest this Healthy Plant

Your first instinct may be, why in the world would you ever grow dandelions on purpose? Isn’t everyone trying to eradicate them from their yard?

But many people add dandelion leaves to their green smoothies and drink roasted dandelion root as a healthy alternative to coffee. Why are people eating dandelions? Are there some health benefits of dandelions?

For those who want to eat dandelions, the USDA has published a nutritional profile that shows how healthy they are.

A serving size of 1 cup of chopped dandelion (55g) has almost 2 grams of fiber, 103 grams of calcium, 1.7 mg of iron, and 218 mg of potassium. Dandelion leaves are a good source of vitamins A, C, and carotene. 

In the past, eating dandelions was a well-known way to avoid scurvy. Dandelions were probably brought to America on purpose for eating.

There have been studies on the health benefits of dandelions, which sound promising, although none have involved humans. So, for now, dandelion uses are considered traditional herbal remedies.

Foraging for dandelions is always a possibility, but the chance of contamination is high. They could have been sprayed by pesticides, fuel emissions, or animal excrement.

The cons of dandelions are well known by anyone who has tried to eradicate them from their lawn.

• Dandelions have hardy roots, and because of that, they can take over and crowd out other plants.

• They grow very quickly and can spread easily through thousands of seeds that blow in the wind.

If you change your perspective, the cons of dandelions can actually be the benefits.

• Dandelions are hardy. They don’t require much maintenance, and they’ll grow just about anywhere.

• They have beautiful flowers with lots of nectar to feed butterflies, bees, and other insects.

• Hummingbirds use the seed fluff to line their nests.

• Dandelion’s long taproot can aerate hard clay soil.

• Their long taproots bring nutrients to the surface and make them available for other plants.

• The whole plant is edible.

• Their leaves, roots, and flowers are a source of healthy vitamins and minerals.

• Dandelions have been consumed for medicinal uses for centuries.

• They help increase biodiversity in a monoculture lawn.

If you’re serious about growing dandelions for culinary and medicinal purposes, you will want to keep these tips in mind.

Plant dandelion seeds 1/8 of an inch deep. They need light for germination.

Keep seeds moist until they germinate in 10 to 14 days.

Seeds germinate in soil 50 to 70ºF.

You might think that it doesn’t matter where you plant dandelions. They are so hardy they seem to grow everywhere, even in sidewalk cracks. However, if you want to harvest the roots, you need to plant with intention.

Plant dandelions in loose soil so that the roots can be harvested easily. As you may know, pulling up the roots in clay soil is about impossible. A raised bed with nutrient-rich, loamy soil will make it easier to harvest dandelion roots.

Dandelions grow in full sun or shade. Plant in full sun if you’re growing flowers for dandelion wine. The flowers will grow faster and be ready to harvest when they are fully open on sunny days.

If you want milder dandelion greens, plant seeds in shade to partial shade. The plants will grow slower, and you’ll have a longer harvest season of tender greens.

Once dandelions are well established, they have long, strong roots. They can be drought-resistant but keep the soil moist when growing for culinary use.

Dandelions have a long taproot that makes them adaptable to growing anywhere, but they can also be difficult to harvest. The roots are easy to pull out in a raised bed with loamy soil. If your ground is more compacted, you will need to soften the soil first by watering deeply. Then, use a shovel to dig around the root.

Dandelion roots can be harvested at any time, although they are generally harvested in the fall when they have larger roots. The harvested roots are washed, dried, ground, and used much like chicory roots. Ground dandelion roots are often brewed and added to other hot drinks.

All parts of the dandelion are edible but not necessarily delicious. The stems of the flowers have a bitter, milky substance, while the yellow petals are more mild. The leaves are best when they are young and small. Like lettuce and other leafy greens, once the plant starts flowering, it changes the flavor.

Pick dandelion leaves in the spring before they flower to use in salads and smoothies. Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.

If you want to grow dandelions for the healthy leaves and roots but don’t want them to spread, it is critical that you never let them form flowers. Dandelions are rich in nectar and attract all kinds of beneficial insects, but they don’t have to be pollinated to form seeds. The flowers can go from bright yellow to tufts of seeds almost overnight. To keep them from spreading, you have to be vigilant in cutting off flowers before they go to seed.

Dandelions also spread through their roots by growing new shoots. Dig up dandelion roots completely when you no longer want them growing in that space.

Dandelion tea is used for many reasons and can be made from flowers, leaves, and roots.

To make dandelion tea from fresh dandelion leaves, add them to hot water and let them steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

Note: Dandelion is a diuretic. If you are allergic to ragweed, you could have an allergic reaction to dandelions. Any time you try a new herb, only take a small amount at first.

According to the American Kennel Club, dandelion greens are nontoxic to dogs. However, with most plant materials, dogs don’t digest them well in large amounts. But if they are nibbling some, they’ll be fine and may even benefit from the nutrients. However, dandelions that have been sprayed with pesticides could cause problems.

Technically, dandelion is an herb. However, any plant that grows where it isn’t wanted can be considered a weed. So, once you plant dandelions on purpose for their many benefits, you no longer need to call them weeds.

Dandelions can be grown in pots and will do very well if given the right conditions.

Growing dandelions on purpose is a very brave endeavor. They have their pros and cons. But if you want easy access to one of the healthiest greens without worrying about possible contamination, you’re better off growing your own.

Dandelions can be part of a healthy medicinal herb garden, companion plants to other vegetables, and even a part of a flower garden. They have much to offer in the way of increasing biodiversity, improving soil, and providing healthy food. Maybe it’s time to take a second look and grow some dandelion seeds.