Last Updated on December 28, 2021 by
Do you know how to get rid of dandelions? Dandelions are one of the common weeds you can find in your lawn. It doesn’t matter the type of maintenance method you adopt, you still find a few of them sprouting up in the midst of your grass. The best way to get rid of weed in your lawn is to fight it as soon as they begin to become visible in your yard. Do not wait until they reach full maturity; because by then, they would become a lot difficult to handle.
We have put together a few tips on how to eliminate dandelions permanently from your lawn or garden. Before we share with you a few of these tips, we will like to give you some information about dandelions so you can be able to identify them when you come across them in your perimeter.
How to Get Rid of Dandelions: What Are Dandelions?
Dandelions also referred to as Taraxacum spp are flowering parts that can be found all over the world. They are widely popular as weeds that normally invade lawns and gardens.
The heads of the flower are usually yellowish in color but they sometimes appear orange. The leaves and stems emit a whitish liquid when they are broken. So you want to check properly to find that it actually is dandelion and not something else by pulling out the stems and checking for any whitish substance.
How to Get Rid of Dandelions: Are Dandelions Useful?
While they may seem like they have no use around your lawn, they are highly beneficial in traditional herbal medicine where they serve a lot of purposes. Some of the uses of dandelions include
- Dandelions are packed with antioxidants that can be used in providing protection against oxidative stress and cellular damage.
- They also possess anti-inflammatory properties which help to improve how the body heals certain illnesses and injuries.
- Studies reveal that dandelion may be useful in reducing blood sugar levels.
- In a study conducted on rabbits, dandelions were known to reduce cholesterol levels in the animal. Although human trials haven’t be carried out yet.
- Due to the diuretic effect of dandelions, it is possible that they might be useful in lowering blood pressure.
- In some studies conducted on animals, it was discovered that dandelions played a major role in weight loss. This was due to the presence of the bioactive component of chlorogenic acid.
- There have also been tested tube studies that reveal that dandelions may be useful in limiting the growth of cancer cells. But just like the other claims, more research is needed to be carried out.
- Lastly, Dandelions are highly nutritious with a high mineral, vitamin, and fiber content. The green leaves of dandelions can be eaten raw or cooked to provide a rich vegetable source of vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, you also get minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron from the green parts of the dandelion weed.
Now that we talk about dandelions and some of the health and nutritional benefits, we will now go straight to how you can remove dandelions from your garden to use as a home remedy or simply dispose of them.
How to Get Rid of Dandelions Permanently
You can follow any of the following steps below to eliminate dandelions from your garden or lawns
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Use a Lawn Mower as Soon as You See the Yellow Flowers
Physically removing the dandelions from your garden is the first step you need to take to eliminate them. Once you begin to notice the yellow flowers which signal that the plant is in blossom, you need to remove them quickly before they grow into white seeds. But simply mowing the top of the flower isn’t a permanent solution to eliminating dandelions.
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Uproot the Roots out from Your Garden
A permanent approach to eliminating dandelion is to use a digger or trowel to dig out the dandelion straight from the roots. This is a permanent solution compared to using a lawnmower the only problem is that it is time-consuming.
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Smothering the Weed Is Another Good Option
Most plants need sunlight for them to grow. Simply restricting their exposure to sunlight can negatively affect their growth. You can use plywood, cardboard, or bricks to cover the dandelion plants to deprive them of sunlight. Within a few days of not getting exposure to the sun, the flowers will die out.
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Add Compost to Improve Your Soil
Adding compost to your soil is another way to get rid of dandelions in your garden. When the soil is acidic, it supports the growth of dandelion and other unwanted plants that compete for already depleted soil nutrients with your plants. Simply adding compost and mulch to your garden will improve the quality and kill all the dandelions that are encroaching on your yard.
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How to Get Rid of Dandelions: Raise Rabbits, Chickens or Attract Birds
Dandelions are sweet delicacies that rabbits and chickens enjoy. And rearing these farm animals in your garden can help to deal with your dandelion problems, also some species of birds eat dandelion seeds. Dandelions also provide these animals with nutrients that can improve their health also. So it is a win for everyone involved except the dandelions.
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A Weed Burner Torch Will Come in Handy
You can burn out the dandelion plant with the help of a weed burner torch. They are easy to use and completely effective in eliminating dandelions completely from your yard.
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Use a Chemical Herbicide
You can use chemical herbicide to get rid of dandelions from your garden. It is important to note that you shouldn’t apply the chemical on your entire yard but on the leaves of the plant you want to kill. Be careful also when selecting herbicides to use an ask around for a good weed-killer when looking to buy one.
Final Words
Dandelions are edible flowering plants with yellow leaves that are common in most parts of the world. They are commonly found in gardens and lawns where they grow in the midst of other plants. We have outlined some of the best ways you can get rid of dandelions permanently from your garden by following any of the tips above.
If you have any questions or would like to share your dandelion experience with us, feel free to let us know in the comment section. We also encourage readers to share our article if they find it helpful.
FAQs
What kills dandelions permanently?
Dandelions are known for their strong tenacity in taking over a natural area and as a weed. Although it doesn't have any real pest or disease that can kill it permanently.
Dandelions are one of the most troublesome weeds when it comes to gardening since they can grow anywhere. It's almost impossible to wipe them out with conventional methods such as herbicides, weed killers and pesticides.
There are three common ways of killing dandelions permanently: covering the plant's roots, cutting off its leaves, or digging up its entire root system.
What kills dandelions naturally?
Some natural ways to kill dandelions naturally include using a small amount of water, using a small amount of vinegar, and using clover as mulch.
Dandelion is actually one of the best plants you can have in your lawn because it's going to help you raise your pH levels, aerate your soil and pull nutrients out of the ground.
Do dandelions go away on their own?
There are several myths about dandelions going away on their own, but most of them are untrue. Here are some reasons why dandelions don't go away on their own:
- Dandelions have tough root systems that enable them to survive for long periods of time even if the plant dies without getting eaten by other animals or parasites.
- They reproduce quickly and spread out fast if they're not removed from the area quickly enough
Why does my lawn have so many dandelions?
Lawns are susceptible to weeds and dandelions are one of them. They can create a huge problem if not addressed, as they can consume a significant amount of nutrients that have been applied in the soil, which leads to poor lawn health.
Dandelions are considered a weed because they grow quickly and produce large amounts of seeds. The plant is able to grow just about anywhere, including in the cracks between concrete sidewalks or on an otherwise perfect lawn. That's why it's important to get rid of dandelions before they breed and take over your garden.
How do you keep dandelions from coming back?
Dandelions are arguably one of the most common weeds in North America. They have invaded many gardens, lawns, and even roadsides where they can be difficult to remove. You can use this article to learn how to keep dandelions from coming back.
It is important that you take care of your dandelion infestation on a regular basis otherwise it will come back again soon. Some methods of keeping dandelions from coming back include using a non-repellent spray, not over-watering the flowers and keeping them off the ground by trimming their stems before they grow too tall.
Can dandelions take over a yard?
Dandelions may seem like a weed from the perspective of many people, but they are actually more than just a pretty flower.
- Dandelions can take over a yard, if you let them.
- The dandelion's seeds can spread up to 30 yards away
- It's not effective to pull out all the dandelion plants at once because it'll just grow other plants that are of no use to you.
Tony Manhart is a passionate gardener who has been tending to gardens for over 20 years. He takes pride in creating beautiful outdoor spaces with plants, trees, and shrubs that can thrive in any environment. He loves to share his knowledge with others and has taught classes on gardening basics and advanced techniques. He is committed to sustainability, using natural and organic methods to create and maintain gardens. He also works with local organizations to create green spaces for communities. When he’s not gardening, Tony enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with his family.
