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What is it about Dandelions that makes people hate them?

They are bright yellow, grow easily, require absolutely no attention, are completely free, bring delight to young children, and let's face it they are 'tough as old boots' and incredibly hard to kill. Who wouldn't like more plants like this that flower all summer long?

We love and buy sunflowers, chrysanthemums, cosmos, dahlias, marigolds, and although the humble dandelion is part of the very same Asteraceae family it doesn't get the same appreciation.

Why then are we so unhappy to have them in our gardens?

5 facts to help change your mind.

1# Highly Nutritious

These are totally edible plants raw and cooked, and we really mean every bit: root, stem, leaf, and flower. Better for you than spinach and more nutritious than most of the vegetables in your garden the greens are packed with vitamins A, C, and K and they also contain vitamin E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins. It doesn't end there since they're also an excellent source of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. (Reference)

Here are just a few examples of this remarkable ingredient:

(Links take you to google searches since we've no connection with the products.)

the roots can make an alternative to coffee,
makes a traditional soft drink,
a hot cup of tea,
salad ingredient,
take it a few steps further and you can have ice cream, quiche, or even make beer and wine.

2# Pollinators love them.

They are one of the best 'Pollinator Magnets' that your garden can host with generous stores of nectar for bees and hoverflies. Several of our native butterflies and moths will lay their eggs on dandelion leaves and the seed heads are a valuable food source for seed-eating birds like the Goldfinch.

3# Herbal Treatments.

Used for centuries the dandelion treats many medicinal ails: as a gentle diuretic it provides hydration and electrolyte balance with nutrients to help the digestive system function at peak efficiency, it reduces inflammation, it's rich in antioxidants, acts against cancers, lowers and controls cholesterol levels, regulates blood sugar and insulin levels, regulates blood pressure, boosts immune function and fights off microbes and fungi....... and more!

4# You can make car tyres from them.

Yes, we know that sounds completely unbelievable but the roots of these plants produce natural latex which Continental uses to make car tyres. Russian dandelions produce latex within one year compared to the 7 years for a rubber tree to mature, not to mention these can be farmed close to the factory.

5# They fertilise your lawn.

It's incredibly ironic that we remove these from the lawn only to then add artificial fertiliser instead. The deep tap roots draw up nutrients such as calcium and aerate the soil.

Who told us these are useless weeds?

Playing a vital role in nature with properties that people have exploited for centuries the dandelion is far from being an unwanted weed.

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