Children love to blow on dandelions' bright yellow flowers, dark green leaves, and seed-spreading puffballs.dandelions can be used in many ways, and may have some health benefits.People often use dandelions in herbal medicine to treat conditions of the liver, bile ducts, and gallbladder, as well as for minor problems such as indigestion.If you want to always have a supply of dandelions, start growing them in your garden or in pots.
Step 1: Purchase or gather seeds.
When the dandelion is in the seed phase, you can easily harvest its seeds.The top of the plant looks like a ball.You can collect the strands in a bag or container and take them home to plant.Look for dandelion seeds online or at your local garden center if you prefer to purchase them.Wild dandelion greens may have a bitter taste, but they will not be as bitter.
Step 2: If you want to grow dandelions, choose a sunny spot.
If you want to place dandelions in a sunny window, you have to choose a location that has full sunlight for a large part of the day.It's a good idea to go out in your yard a few times throughout the day.You can note where the sun is at by placing rocks on the edges of where it is shining.If you will mainly be using dandelions for leaves, growing them in partial shade is a better option.This will help to reduce the bitterness of the leaves.
Step 3: The seeds can be sown for flowers or greens.
The dandelion seed needs to be 6 inches apart for flowers and 2 to 3 inches for greens.The flowers have deeper roots than the baby dandelion greens.Measure the distance between your seeds to make sure they have enough room.If you are planting indoors, cover the seeds.The seeds will not get blown out.The best place for dandelions to grow is in a shallow bed.Don't plant your dandelions in an area with poor drainage or a tightly packed soil.If the soil is tightly packed, use a garden fork to loosen it.Add compost to the soil and use it as a growing medium.
Step 4: Water the dandelions.
Dandelions need a lot of water to thrive.Don't water them too much.The soil feels moist if you water it just enough.You can check the soil by poking your finger into it.They don't need water yet if the soil feels moist.Give them some water if it feels dry.
Step 5: Near the base of the plant, cut leaves.
To remove the leaves from the base of the plant, use a pair of garden shears.As needed, cut as many leaves as you can from the root.If you want, you can leave the smaller leaves to continue growing.If you prefer a bitter flavor, you can harvest the dandelion greens when they are small.
Step 6: When the flowers open, cut them.
Dandelion flowers will convert to seed if left too long.This means that you could end up with a lot of dandelions.The dandelion flowers should be cut right after they bloom.To cut the flowers at the base of the stem, use a pair of garden shears.You can discard the stems after cutting the flower from the stem.
Step 7: After the flowers have bloomed, dig up the roots.
You can harvest the roots of dandelions that have gone to seed, even if the flowers have not yet bloomed.If you want to harvest the roots, put a garden spade in the ground about 10 to 15 cm from the dandelion's base.Pull the dandelion root out of the ground by digging around it to loosen the dirt and make it easier to pull up.Younger dandelion roots tend to be deeper than mature ones, so you may be able to pull them up without digging.Most climates have dandelions.If you want the plant to come back every year, leave it in place.
Step 8: Add fresh dandelion greens to salads.
Young, small dandelion greens are mild in flavor and are great in salads and smoothies.If you stir-fry mature dandelion greens with other ingredients and seasonings, they will taste better.Try cooking dandelion greens with onions, garlic, and olive oil for a healthy side dish.
Step 9: There are new dandelion flowers that can be used to make beer, wine, and Jelly.
There are recipes for beer and wine made with dandelions.You can spread the flowers on toast.You can make a snack out of dandelion flowers.
Step 10: You can use dandelion roots to make tea.
The roots of dandelions can be used to make tea.The roots can be dried using a food dehydrator or on a baking sheet in the sun.Store the roots in a glass jar when you chop them up.If you want to make a cup of dandelion tea, place the dried root pieces into the boiling water and let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes.Once it is cool enough to drink, strain the tea.