The common dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) is very pretty, and it has a number of uses in both cookery and herbal medicine. But if you want an immaculate, weed-free lawn, dandelions can also cause a lot of frustration - this plant is very unfussy about where it grows, and the long tap root makes it difficult to get rid of.
If you're looking for dandelion removal tips, see our blog on How to Rid Your Lawn of Dandelions. In today's post, we're going to focus on when dandelions tend to appear - hopefully, this knowledge will help you to be prepared for the next wave of dandelion growth in your garden!
Dandelion growing cycle
Dandelions can be seen between March and October in virtually all parts of the UK. Here's a rough overview of the plant's growing cycle:
- Flower - The dandelion's most recognisable feature is its bright yellow flower, which can bloom from early spring onwards. The flower serves to attract bees and other pollinators.
- Seed Head - As this animated GIF shows, the dandelion's flower eventually closes up and develops into the puffy white seed head that you may know as a 'dandelion clock'.
- Spreading the Seeds - A light wind is enough to remove the seeds from their stalk and blow them away to a new home, where they will settle and grow into new plants. If you've ever picked a dandelion clock to see if you can blow all the seeds away with one puff, you have helped with this process!
- Leaves & Tap Root - Once a dandelion seed has found itself a decent place to settle, it sprouts leaves to capture sunlight. This light is turned into energy via photosynthesis, and the plant then uses this energy to develop the long, loathsome tap root that makes dandelions so difficult to permanently remove. It also grows a bright yellow flower, and the dandelion's growing cycle begins anew!
Make your lawn a dandelion-free zone!
If you'd rather not see your lawn overrun by those bright yellow flowers, Lawn & Weed Expert can help.
We offer a comprehensive weed control service, using broad-spectrum systemic herbicides to rid your lawn of dandelions as well as many other common plant species.
Ready to take the fight to your garden weeds? Call Lawn & Weed Expert on 0800 111 4958 to arrange a FREE lawn survey.
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Photo from Pixabay
