Dandelions are nature’s friend

Dandelions with their big yellow flowers, fluffy grey seed heads and lion’s tooth shaped leaves are not only nature’s friend but ours too. Dandelions gets it’s common name from its leaf shape which in French is ‘dents de lions’.

It is considered a weed by many but in times past and present it is a most welcome sight in Spring. Its an early bloomer that keeps on blooming well into Autumn. As it is among one of the first pollinators to come into bloom it is an important early food source for nature’s pollinators in particular bumble bee queens emerging from Winter. Although it does not have all the key ingredients in its nectar that pollinators require it is a vital start.

For us humans every part of the Dandelion is edible. The leaves are commonly eaten in in Europe and Asia. The root is also edible with diuretic properties hence the reason they have the nickname ‘wet the beds’. Herbalists over the centuries love the dandelion’s medicinal properties, particularly aiding the liver and digestive system with Dandelion tea. They have more vitamin C than tomatoes, more vitamin A than spinach and are a great source of iron, potassium and calcium.

So why not be nature’s friend and let a few dandelions grow here and there, everything in moderation as the saying goes, as they are a very hardy plant that can easily take over. If you do want rid of your dandelions please don’t use any form of weed killer that is bad for the environment do it the old fashioned way with a fork and arm power.