We probably all heard at one point in our life that dandelions are weeds and possibly that you can eat them. Well I’m here to tell you that yes! You can eat them! Yes, they’re weeds, but yummy weeds! In small amounts. Now don’t go running off eating these delicious weeds right off your back porch. No, no, no that may be unsafe due to possible animal…excrement, pesticides, chemicals, etc. If you don’t know where it's been, don't eat it. As well please keep in mind, people with kidney problems, gallbladder problems, or gallstones should consult their doctors before eating dandelion. Stay away if you have allergies to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigold, chamomile, yarrow, daisies, or iodine. Otherwise, let’s get growing! For centuries they were cherished for their use as a diuretic, to increase the amount of urine and eliminate fluid in your body. It has been used for many conditions where a diuretic might help, such as liver problems and high blood pressure. Gross, but very handy in times where modern medicine, well, didn’t exist. A natural way to relieve stress and sickness in the body. Use as a cup of tea to relax or dry and add to foods, sometimes you can use it as a dye! Braid it for a crown!
Now we could grow our own in a safe garden bed or a good pot. Possibly continuing the medicinal traditions of our ancestors. And when successful, we’ll be able to enjoy a delicious dandelion greens salad tossed in lemon and oil or sauteed with bacon! Mmm bacon… They can be a bit more on the odd side, it's something new, but full of healthy vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, K, E, folate, and small amounts of other B1 with good amounts of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Bonus, only 25 calories per cup of dandelion greens! So, whole bowl fulls here we come!
Now here’s what we’ll do. Dandelions are just as easily grown in a garden bed as you find them growing wild. Or not wild, but like in the backyard. These are a hardy plant, growing in zones 3-10, generally pest and disease free, and can endure a multitude of soil types. There’s not much that you can do to fail here, so a great beginner crop! Speaking of crop, fun little note, did you know they’re not necessarily native to the Americas? They were brought here to be food from central Asia! How cool! Now they’ve spread across the globe. We had left the knowledge of its use as food, however the dandelion is here to fight another day! For our plate!
You can gather seeds from dandelions turned to wishing wands, when they’re all white, seedy and puffy, as each head can produce upwards to 5000 seeds. Or you can order some seeds for a few dollars. We’ll get some potting soil, a deep tray or pot at least six inches deep, and we’ll wet that soil for the seedlings. We’ll sprinkle the seeds about the top, gently pressing them down into the soil about a second knuckle deep (1 ½ inch) and gently cover with a little peekaboo hole because the seedlings need a night light. We’re going to be enjoying this food, so enjoy the time spent growing it - pro tip! Now we’re going to baby the little seedlings for about 21 to 35 days indoors. We need to be sure to avoid a frost and they’re cute sitting on a window sill growing into seedlings! (Also you’re less likely to forget they exist because..cough…some of us do.) They’ll be ready for the outdoors when they have broken the soil and are about an inch or more tall. Or you can leave them in the pot they’re in, which may be easier.
Now the best part about these plants is they grow well and quick. You can start harvesting the leaves to eat as soon as they are grown, I’d say palm length. Which maybe in two to three months. If you want a lot, grow a lot. They can bush up and often only need watering to keep the soil damp. You can encourage better growth with some vegetable safe fertilizer, but it's not necessary. The younger, spring leaves are usually the milder tasting, lighter in color, lighter in taste. Take a bite along each stage to find your preference. Remember to wash before you eat! Always, with everything. One of my favorite recipes draws from the simplistic. Wash your green, throw in some chopped up green onion, some sliced cucumber, a few flower heads, toss with a bit of olive oil and lemon. On the side brew Dandelion tea from fresh or dried dandelion heads, boiled for ten minutes, with a splash or two of honey. Oh my goodness, delicious Dandelion dinner! You can also saute it like you would kale and I’ve seen on pinterest those that have created dandelion green chips though I’ve never tried it myself yet. Though I will! Try something new, be creative! This is an easy growing plant, doesn’t take up much space, and is a bit part of our history! Have some fun with it and comment if you’ll be trying dandelion greens, growing and eating! And if you’re growing already, share your photos, we are always here for the flowers!