It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg Norfolk News – May 2021
by Angela Lassam 

There are many good reasons for us to give dandelions some space.

Dandelions have been given a bad name by the gardeners who wish for a perfect lawn. It is not the invasive weed most people think it is. 

It is a perennial herb introduced to the U.S. and Canada by the pilgrims who brought dandelions with them to use as a medicine and food crop. The yellow flowers are the first color we see after the winter and you will see fields of permanent pasture and roadsides covered with the flowers. They pop up in lawns every year even if you try to eradicate them. Many people consider them to be weeds.

The flowers are the first pollen and nectar for bees and other insects and the leaves and seeds feed birds, chipmunks and other wildlife. Later the fluffy heads will be used by hummingbirds to line their tiny nests.

For the gardener the roots will go deep (it is said they will grow 10’ to 15’ deep) and will open the hardest, poorest soil. When the plants are cut and composted they can add nutrients to the soil as they are rich in calcium, iron and potassium.

All parts of a dandelion are edible. It has a bitter, peppery taste. The root can be dried and used as a coffee substitute as it is in the Chicory family, or roasted and used as you would use turnip. The leaves can be added to a salad, pizza or made into pesto. They can be made into chips similar to kale. Remember if using leaves pick from where there has never been any pesticides or herbicides applied. The flowers can be added to a salad or make a refreshing tea. You can use the flowers to turn your hand to making a good wine.

Dandelions have been used medicinally for centuries. They are rich in vitamin A, C and K. They can be used to detoxify the body and support healthy liver and kidney function. They are reputed to be an appetite stimulant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and able to balance blood sugar also lower cholesterol. The sap/milk in the stem is latex. It is said to cure warts and can be used to heal scrapes and cuts.

For spinners and weavers who use natural dyes the dandelion has many colour variations. The root with alum create magenta, added to tin and vinegar gives a purple, and the flowers produce a vivid yellow. 

Maybe with this knowledge you may give the ‘weed’ a second thought. It gives us our first glow of outdoor colour in the spring. Every part of a dandelion has been proven good for our gardens and our health.

I used dandelions as my subject as it is yellow. It is the colour of hope and Communities in Bloom and all gardeners are encouraged to plant ALL yellow. It is our hope to end the pandemic and get back to a new normalcy.

The Tillsonburg Horticultural Society has had a positive response to a modified Junior Gardeners Program. For any information contact Pat Zeyen –  email patzeyen@gmail.com.

There will be a Zoom meeting for members on June 1st@ 7.30 p.m. featuring Denis Flanagan. The topic will be Gardening Trends, New Varieties and Fusion Gardening. Watch for email.

All updates to Society news will be posted on the website www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca and Facebook Tillsonburghorticultural. 

  Stay safe, stay well until we can all meet again.