Dandelion

Dandelion — variety description

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a perennial herb of the Daisy family (Asteraceae). Dandelion is a perennial herbaceous plant that thrives in places such as abandoned fields and home gardens. The traditional use of dandelion is to support the liver and as a tonic.

The flowers bloom in early spring and will continue throughout the year if temperatures allow. Dandelions are very hardy and, once established, will return year after year.

Harvest the leaves if needed, or for maximum yield leave the plant to overwinter and lift the enlarged clump in spring. The plant prefers partial shade to full sun, a rich compost-enriched soil and plenty of water.

A salad of fresh dandelion leaves, as well as powdered roots, significantly lowers the cholesterol level in the blood. This fact may also explain the use of the plant for atherosclerosis.

Besides liver and gall bladder complaints, in folk medicine the plant is also used to treat warts and corns: they are rubbed repeatedly with the sap of the fresh herb.

Dandelion is a medicinal plant with edible leaves for spring salads and a root for tea.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 75%
• Seeds per packet: 238–322 pcs (0.2 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: April and May; direct
• Flowering: July – September
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Dandelion

Dandelion seeds are sown in April and May. The plants flower from July to September. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Dandelion

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 10–20 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sun to partial shade

Dandelion seeds need very little care and are easy to grow. Sow the seeds outdoors from April to the end of May. Sow the seeds in early spring on the soil surface and cover lightly. Seedlings should emerge within two weeks of sowing. Leaves and shoots can be harvested from the very first year before flowering, to preserve the maximum of beneficial substances in the green mass. The roots are harvested in the second year, after the flowers have faded.

Undemanding.

Harvest and use

Pick the leaves young, before flowering.

Frequently asked questions

When should Dandelion be sown?

The recommended sowing months are April and May. Sowing method: direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 238–322 seeds, pack size 0.2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 75%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.