The long-range weather forecast gives us hope that May will be the spring weather for which we have all been waiting. Our spring bulbs are blooming, the perennials are showing signs of life and one of the most important perennials in our garden, the dandelion, is ready to cheer us on. Gardeners often see the little yellow flower as a weed that will ruin the appearance of the lawn. Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us, “A weed is but a plant whose virtues remain undiscovered.”
The dandelion is one of the first plants of spring. It cheers us with pops of yellow and downy balls of seeds. Who hasn’t picked a bouquet of dandelions for Mother, Grandma or Teacher? Who hasn’t blown the dandelion’s seed puffs?
Dismissed as a weed, no money is spared to eradicate the little flower from our lawn and garden. It is cursed and scorned, considered invasive and useless.
With its long taproots, dandelions are one of the best soil aerators. They loosen compacted soil in the lawn and garden. This soil welcomes the flowers of summer or the grass in our lawn. Dandelions are also a welcome food source for our pollinators and without our pollinators there would be no garden.
Although not native to North America, the dandelion originally came from Europe and they are not considered invasive by federal agencies. You don’t even have to buy a flat of the little yellow flower and then spend time and energy planting. The dandelion is the unsung hero of the garden.
When bees and butterflies emerge in spring the dandelion is often the only source of food. It attracts moths and birds who in turn pollinate fruits, vegetables and other flowers.
Dandelions hold the soil together to prevent wind and water erosion. The loose soil structure the dandelion creates can improve soil and allow nutrients to reach our plants. The dandelions draw calcium, iron and potassium into their leaves. When they die and decompose, they leave these nutrients behind to improve our soil. The loose structure of the soil allows the earthworms to provide worm castings, an excellent fertilizer.
Some dandelion games such as the number of breaths it takes to blow away all the seeds is the hour of the day. Children often make dandelion crowns for their dolls, and the best one, the most fun, is dipping the little yellow flowers in paint to make abstract masterpieces for the fridge.
Before you buy an herbicide for your lawn and garden stop and admire the virtues of this little, yellow flower.
(Rebecca Ryan is a lifelong resident of and gardener in the Bradford area. She retired from teaching at Bradford Area School District.)
