It is reluctant to lose out and is prevented from growing through narrow gaps between paving slabs. Not only there, but also in the lawn, dandelions are a thorn in the side of many gardeners. What methods and means can you use to remove it?
How to remove dandelions permanently?
To remove dandelions effectively, you should deadhead the plants before the seeds ripen, e.g. B. with a weed cutter or sharp knife. Alternatively, you can cut off the flower heads to slow down proliferation, or use home remedies such as s alt, vinegar or boiling water.
Why are dandelions so unpopular?
First of all, the question should be asked why the dandelion is so unpopular and why fighting this wild plant is often part of the 'duties' of allotment tenants. Here are the main reasons:
- its long taproot is difficult to remove
- it produces tons of seeds
- the seeds are easily dispersed by the wind
- the wild weed displaces weaker plants
- it is almost rampant in suitable locations
The right time: definitely before the seeds ripen
If you want to remove dandelions, you should never do so when the seeds are ripe! Even when lightly touched, for example with your foot, the seeds come off the 'dandelions' and are spread. They can germinate for up to 10 years and can cause gardeners to despair.
It's best to destroy the dandelions before they bloom! But at the latest when the yellow flowers light up like signals, this should be a warning to you. It is then high time for successful destruction!
Pull out the weeds
You can permanently eradicate dandelions by cutting them out. This is considered the most effective and safest method. This can be done using a weed puller or a sharp, sturdy knife.
Since it is usually quite difficult to simply pull the dandelion and its long taproot out of the ground, a weed cutter (€27.00 at Amazon) comes in handy. You pierce it into the ground directly next to the dandelion plant. Now you have to gently lever or turn it so that the taproot is loosened. Then it can be pulled out of the ground.
Stopping reproduction: cutting off the flower heads
With a little sweat, you can slow down (and permanently eliminate) dandelions by regularly cutting off their flower heads. Each plant is 1 to 3 years old. At some point it will die without having reproduced using its seeds.
Weed killer? Second choice agent
Annihilators based on chemistry should be seen for what they are: poison. Do you want something like this in your garden? If you can't find any other way out, sprays should only ever be an emergency solution. The poisons penetrate the soil and do not fizzle out so easily.
Is it better to use home remedies?
You can also get rid of all types of dandelions with home remedies. How it works? To do this, you need a home remedy that will kill the dandelions. Pour this directly onto the plant. For example, the following are suitable:
- S alt
- Vinegar
- boiling water
Tip
On a large scale, household remedies such as s alt and vinegar are not recommended as they damage the soil.
