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    Home » Gardening » Bees & Pollinators

    Save Dandelions for the Bees

    Published 4 April 2023 by Liz Gardner | Leave a Comment

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    Springtime is a great time to Save Weeds for the bees and other pollinators. Yes, you read that correctly! The dandelion in particular is especially easy to both see and identify with its large bright yellow blossoms. In our area, last summer, we had a shortage of pollinators for our fruit trees and tomato blossoms. Climate, chemicals and the weather did not help the pollinators at all. It's a good idea to leave the dandelions to flower before mowing the spring lawn. Read on for many reasons to leave the dandelions to “save the bees” and more:

    Bright yellow dandelion flowers blooming in the middle of our back lawn for the bees and other pollinators
    Blooming Dandelions free for the bees & pollinators

    "What is a weed?  A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."

    Ralph Waldo Emerson

    What are Dandelions?

    You may not know the following about the lowly Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) an Herb:

    1. Dandelions are very easy to grow, is often invasive and very hardy
    2. The flower, the leaves and the roots can all be eaten safely
    3. Historically young dandelion leaves were harvested by some First Nations and used also as medicine
    4. Here is some information and a recipe for "Dandelion Tempura"
    5. In New Zealand the Maori eat the leaves and shoots of the Puha - Sonchus Kirkii - plant which is member of the dandelion family.
    6. What is a Maori Hangi I can personally confirm its tastiness having eaten "Pork & Puha' at a Maori hangi
    7. This weed was called the "Lions Tooth"
    8. The plants are often the first to grow and flower early in Spring before the fruit blossoms
    9. Dandelion root can be dried and made into a tea if you are ambitious or simply buy "roasted Dandelion Root" at a local store. "Five Ways to Eat Dandelions"
    10. There is such a thing as "Dandelion Wine" if you are adventurous (lots of recipes online)
    Dandelion flower self seed on the vegetable garden pathway growing with poppies & other flowers for the bees and other pollinators
    Dandelions grow just about anywhere

    “If you find yourself worrying, go outside, take three breaths, address a tree and quietly say, ‘Thank you.’ If you can’t find a tree, a dandelion will do… Nature is magic.”

    Robert Bateman

    Amazing Health Benefits of Planting Dandelions

    Interestingly, as a side, there may be many possible health & other "benefits" from this humble weed such as:

    • Contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
    • Help lower blood pressure
    • May improve health of the liver and kidneys
    • Good for the immune system
    • ... and there are many more benefits mentioned on line including "Dandelion and Common Purslane: Ubiquitous Edible Weeds" Penn State University (2021)
    Dandelion flowers in bloom on the path at the bottom of the garden. Leave them for the pollinators as no care required
    Dandelions transplanted to the bottom of my garden always attract pollinators to the veggie patch

    "When you look at a field of dandelions, you can either see a hundred weeds or a hundred wishes."

    Unknown

    Project: A Dandelion Circle

    Recently a friend left a circle of flowering "invasive creeping buttercup" in the middle of their back lawn. It was a lovely sight of bright yellow flowers in a partly shady yard which attracted the pollinators. So last year I made my own circle and planted dandelions. And my "Dandelion Circle" and I are participating in "NO Mow May" an adopted conservation charity idea from the UK.

    When driving through commercial blueberry farms years ago I noticed that more than one farmer had intercropped dandelions between the rows of berries. Both the dandelions and blueberry bushes were in full bloom at the same time. Wonderful sight.

    Most importantly - Bees love Dandelions!

    A posy of blooming dandelions - a lovely gift from a child
    Dandelion flowers make a lovely posy to give to someone you love - a child's point of view

    "The only two herbicides we recommend are cultivation and mulching." ~ Organic Gardening

    In Closing:

    My thoughts before writing this article on dandelions was intended to be short and hopefully a little whimsical. So it has been interesting for me to learn that the dandelion has come a long way over the years and much of this information I was not aware of. Hope you have enjoyed learning something new and growing a dandelion or two. I have two pots of Dandelion Portable Pollinator pots which can also be useful

    PS : It is also better for your lawn not to be 'mowed in May' as the weather in our area is still cold and often very rainy and this can damage your lawns ~ Best wishes with your Spring Veggie garden ~ Liz

    Links & References:

    • 2021 Agricultural Chemical Use - Fruit Crops - Blueberry. Captan & Fludioxonil
    • Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale - Wisconsin Horticulture,
    • Can You Eat Dandelions? (2021)
    • "Why Do People Wish on Dandelions"

    Caramel and Parsley

    • "Plants to attract Bees to your garden This Spring" (2014)
    • Where have all our Bees Gone? (2013)

    Caramel and Parsley Disclaimer

    If eaten, the dandelion may have side effects, especially if you have allergies and also possible drug interactions

    More Bee & Pollinator Articles

    • Incredibly remarkable scenic views of the oceans, inlets & islands along the BC Pacific Coast
      Why I Love Where I live - #5
    • What's Happening in the Veggie Patch this Summer
    • Hummingbirds Over-Winter in B.C.
    • 7 Portable Pollinator Pots for Greater Pollination
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    Filed Under: Bees & Pollinators, Flowers

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    Hi, I'm Liz! I have been a happy gardener all my life. My goal on this blog is to share tips and resources to help you learn how to garden too. Passionate about all things "healthy". Life long learner and asker of "how".

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