Weeds are a big problem for gardeners who take real pride in their lawns, and one that can be a pain to remove is dandelions.
As the warmer weather approaches while the rain sticks around, it makes the perfect atmosphere for dandelions to grow.
Dandelions might be fun for children to blow once the heads have turned fuzzy, but gardeners and lawn enthusiasts curse when they see the cheery yellow flower heads popping up.
While some argue dandelions are wildflowers, they can push out grass and other plants, as well as sapping water and nutrients away from surrounding plants.
There are several methods to remove dandelions, and all must be performed every year as seeds can travel several miles on the wind, and it’s virtually impossible to remove the weed permanently from a garden or lawn.
With that in mind, gardening experts have shared three of the most effective methods of removal without the use of toxic chemicals.
1. Dig them out
Digging out dandelions is “the most effective, but also the most time consuming”, according to the pros at Gardening Know How.
This should be done in the spring, when the first dandelion seedlings appear, to make the job easier.
The roots (or taproots for their official name) of dandelions are said to run deep – about four to six inches – so you must remove the entire root to be successful.
“Make sure to spray the weed until it’s completely wet. If you do this on a hot, sunny day, you will enjoy the results even sooner – and the results in question are withered, brown dandelion leaves.”
Once the dandelions are dead, the only thing left is to pull them out and rinse the area with cold water.
3. Smother them
If you can’t tolerate all the dandelions in your garden, the Royal Horticultural Society recommends smothering them.
In areas containing large numbers of unwanted dandelions, cover the ground with a layer of cardboard and then a 20cm thick layer of organic matter, such as bark or wood chips.
They noted: “This will block light and prevent growth, causing the root to die.” Keep soil covered for a few years to ensure this method is effective.
