by Mary Ann Mcgivern

Created on: August 05, 2010

 Dandelions need no defense. They thrive, self-contained, serving the universe. But for those gardeners who may not know their benefits, we give them praise.

The dandelion diagnoses soil problems

Dandelions love a long cool spring. Their flower heads grow to enormous size, their roots sink deep, and their seeds are assuredly carried long distances by the May winds. But they only will flourish in your lawn if the soil is acidic. Dandelions are a great diagnostic tool. If you don’t have them, it’s not by virtue of your vigilance in rooting them out as much as by the TLC you've lavished on your dirt.

The dandelion delights

This lion's tooth has other benefits besides pinpointing what’s wrong with your soil. It gives great joy to young children in both flower and seed cluster, a gift to Mom and a shower of fluff to blow into the air. If you have a lot of them, offer a few ten year olds a penny a flower head. They will feel like they are harvesting gold, and, if you wish, you will have the ingredients to make wine. Add yeast and citrus and wait three weeks to delight the adults.

The dandelion protects

The dandelion protects tomato roots from fusarium, along with the other nightshades, potato, eggplant and peppers. If a few find their way into your garden in early spring, let them be. It's the root that repels the fusarium, so pick the flower and don't let it go to seed.

The dandelion is delicious

Even more amazing, all of the parts of the dandelion can be eaten. The young leaves, gathered before the flower forms, are tenderest and least bitter. But they can be tossed in salad or boiled like spinach any time. Try peeling the roots and adding them raw to that salad or throw them on the grill or in the fry pan. Munch on the yellow blossoms as you pick them, deep-fry them, or mix them into pancake batter. Dry the leaves for tea. Dry and grind the roots, like chicory, for ersatz coffee.

The dandelion nourishes

A half a cup of uncooked dandelion leaves contains 280 percent of the adult daily requirement of beta carotene, half our vitamin C, plus magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium. This so-called weed is reputed to improve the liver function, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and stimulate the kidneys - whereby its French name pissenlit. The dandelion is also an alternative source of rubber, has chewing gum potential, and is a celebrated wart remover.

The gardener appreciates

So when others complain in spring and call the dandelion a noxious weed, just smile and enjoy this gift from Mother Nature.

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