Not everyone is keen on rigorously removing dandelions from the garden. Beekeepers, for example, benefit from growing this plant because it offers bees plenty of nectar and pollen early in the year.
How to grow dandelions successfully?
Dandelions can be sown between March and May or August and September. Ideally, the location should be sunny to partially shaded and the soil should be permeable, nutrient-rich, moist, humus-rich, well ventilated, deep and calcareous. Pre-breeding is recommended in spring.
What location requirements does dandelion have?
Dandelion has no special requirements for the location where it should grow. It does best in a sunny location. But it can also thrive in partial shade.
If you want to grow the dandelions in a pot, for example on the terrace, you should make sure to choose a deep pot for it. The reason: The dandelion forms a long taproot.
What substrate does the plant grow well in?
The demands on the earth are also easy to meet. Basically, dandelions grow anywhere once they've had a good chance to emerge. Ideally, the substrate has the following properties:
- permeable
- nutrient-rich
- moist
- humos
- well ventilated
- profound
- calcareous
How do you best sow dandelions?
The perfect time for sowing is between March and the end of May. Alternatively, you can sow the dandelion seeds directly outdoors between August and September.
Note the following:
- Pre-culture is possible and recommended in spring
- feel free to use seeds from your own harvest
- Sow seeds 1 to 2 cm deep
- keep moist
- ideal germination temperature: 18 to 22 °C
- Average germination time: 2 to 3 weeks
- single at a distance of 30 cm after germination
When does this herb bloom?
Dandelions begin to bloom as early as April. The drier it is, the earlier it blooms. There is often a re-bloom in late summer. Isolated flowers can appear until October.
When should the harvest take place?
If you want to harvest the leaves to use them for salad, for example, you should do so between April and May. The young leaves taste best because they contain fewer anti-feeding substances. The flowers can be harvested between April and June.
Tip
Once you have successfully sown dandelions, you usually never have to worry about sowing them again, as the perennial plant likes to sow itself.