Dandelion Removal Methods

This week I will also be looking into several methods used for removing dandelions and ways to prevent them from taking over a garden bed or lawn.

Pulling Weeds by Hand

Pulling weeds by hand is, of course, the reliable, age-old method—though it can be hard on the back or knees if you have to kneel for quite some time in order to complete the task. This removal method works best for lawns full of dandelions that have not yet matured into hardy plants. When the plants are very young—and before roots have become thick and well entrenched in the spot where they are growing—dandelions can be pulled by hand, and then collected and bagged for disposal. Simply mowing over dandelions may actually help spread the weed, since flowers which have gone to seed will be mulched directly into the soil. For the first few seasons we were homeowners, my spouse prided himself on having used the mulch-as-you-go lawnmower to return the nutrient-rich grass clippings back into the soil of our lawn. After surveying the results the next summer, however, he made a quick call to a company specializing in lawn care. The fellow on the other end of the line explained that if he hadn’t first done anything to remove weeds--by chemical means, or by hand--then he was essentially sowing the yard with weeds and helping ensure a plentiful crop of weeds in the lawn the next summer.

It is easiest to pull dandelions by hand when the soil is damp. To avoid stained hands, wear a pair of gardening gloves (always a good idea, anyhow, since you never know when you will come up against thistles, burrs, sharp branches, or insects).

Cutting the Plants off Just Above the Root

Instead of all the bending and kneeling involved in repetitively yanking dandelions out by hand, another option is to deprive the plant of everything that it normally gathers above ground through its leaves and transports through its stem. Simply take some clippers or a medium-sized set of garden shears, and cut the plant off as close to the ground as you can. Make sure to cut off as much of the stem and as many of the leaves as possible. You may need to repeat the process several times. Collect the plants (particularly the flower heads), since they may still release seeds that will self-seed in your lawn. The plant’s goal is to make sure it sends potential offspring out into the world, particularly when conditions are unfavourable. Weeds are tenacious for this reason. Keep your lawn well seeded, and do not cut it too short--this will also help prevent seeds from finding a hospitable place to settle and take root.