Attack of the Dandelions

[Samigirl]

Part of our lawn is being overtaken by dandelions. We've struggled with getting grass to grow well on one side. Last year, I worked furiously....digging out bag upon bags of dandelions. This spring, I'm disheartened to see just as many as I had last year. I dug up two five gallon buckets full, but then decided I was running out of time before they turned to seed. So...here's hoping the boiling water method will work. Any other suggestions? I could also use some tips on overseeding our lawn in order to choke them out.

[Libby]

I was thinking of vinegar but not sure how to go about doing so...besides spraying the root of weed in cracks in the cement or digging out the roots and spraying the hole and area around it with vinegar.

I also found this article: Kill Dandelion Weeds in Lawn Organically | North Coast Gardening

Hope that helps!

[Samigirl]

I was thinking of vinegar but not sure how to go about doing so...besides spraying the root of weed in cracks in the cement or digging out the roots and spraying the hole and area around it with vinegar.

I also found this article: Kill Dandelion Weeds in Lawn Organically | North Coast Gardening

Hope that helps!

Thank you for the interesting article! I hadn't heard of that method for dandelion killing. I like that it's natural too.

[Contrary Housewife]

We use a pre-emergent broadleaf "weed and feed" in the early spring. It fertilizes the grass and prevents a variety of weeds.

[mauimagic]

Not to be disrespectful of your attempt toget rid of your dandelions, but Debbie-cat would have loved your abundance when she was in her 'cook, make wine and do many wonderful things with dandelions' last year!!

Good luck!! We have never had dandelions on Maui - I saw them last spring in a new subdivision - talk about invasive species!!

[Samigirl]

Not to be disrespectful of your attempt toget rid of your dandelions, but Debbie-cat would have loved your abundance when she was in her 'cook, make wine and do many wonderful things with dandelions' last year!!

Good luck!! We have never had dandelions on Maui - I saw them last spring in a new subdivision - talk about invasive species!!

I figured there would be someone out there who would want my abundance of dandelions. If I could ship them out of here, I would!

[sunshine]

I'm busy using mine in jelly, syrup, pancakes, biscuits, "coffee"

[frugalfranny]

And if your neighbors ---are close enough----and have them and don't treat them.......you won't ever get rid of all of them. Sad to say........

I have one neighbor that doesn't do anything for his 'bindweed'....also called morning glory.......and I fight it constantly! Horribly invasive and have read that the seeds can live in the ground for 15 years!

[Josephhgoins]

Not to be disrespectful of your attempt toget rid of your dandelions, but Debbie-cat would have loved your abundance when she was in her 'cook, make wine and do many wonderful things with dandelions' last year!!

Good luck!! We have never had dandelions on Maui - I saw them last spring in a new subdivision - talk about invasive species!!

I was going to suggest eat them. Nothing will get rid of them faster than wanting them there.

[KeithBC]

How about a dandelion rake? It won't kill them, but it is easy and quick to use, and it clips the flowers and buds off before they go to seed. Non-toxic, so it won't hurt kids or pets.

[ahmom]

I changed my mind about them. The yellow color is beautiful across my yard.

[Tater]

Don't get rid of them! They are completely edible - flowers, leaves, roots......

If you are in a preparedness frame of mind, a large patch of dandelions is a blessing to have! Most people have no idea you can eat them. It's kinda like having food storage right out in the open.

[pollypurebred39]

Yes, eat them! We batter the flower heads and fry. Yummy!

Greens make great salad with a bacon dressing.

Roots make tea that help lower blood pressure and is a liver tonic.