With an enviable tenacity, the dandelion conquers numerous territories and at the same time enchants with its sunny yellow basket flowers. Anyone who wants to harvest it, for example to use it for tea, should know how and when to do it best.
When and how is it best to harvest dandelions?
Dandelions are best harvested in spring (leaves), between April and June as well as in late summer (flowers) and autumn (roots). Leaves and flowers can be harvested with hands or scissors, while roots should be dug up with a spade or digging fork. Gloves are recommended.
Harvest time for leaves, flowers and roots
The leaves are harvested in spring, shortly after they sprout (length of about 5 - 8 cm). The flowers are harvested during the flowering period (between April and June and a second time in late summer). The optimal harvest time for the roots is in autumn.
What is important when harvesting flowers and roots
The root of the dandelion likes to go far into the depths. It is a strong taproot that is sometimes easy to pull out in loose soil. However, it is better to lift the root out of the ground using a spade (€54.00 on Amazon), a digging fork or something similar.
The flowers should best be harvested immediately after they bloom in the early morning hours. You can simply pick them off the stems with your hands or cut them off using scissors. Important: To prevent them from closing again, they should be processed quickly.
Sensitive people should wear gloves
Since the dandelion stems contain a milky sap that is slightly toxic and can cause skin irritation in sensitive people such as allergy sufferers, it is advisable to wear gloves when harvesting larger quantities of dandelions.
Dry or freeze the harvested crop
If you cannot use the harvested plant parts immediately, you can preserve them. On the one hand, you have the option of freezing the leaves and roots. You shouldn't do that with the flowers. On the other hand, you can dry the leaves, roots and flowers.
This is what you need to consider when drying dandelions:
- Cut roots first
- Removing leaves from stems
- Dry flowers only when they are fully bloomed
- in a shady and airy place e.g. B. on a baking tray
- never dry in direct sunlight
- or in a dehydrator
Tip
You should avoid harvesting dandelions on roads and in industrial areas. Pollution levels are generally high there.
