Growing dandelions

[Jane_G]

I know this is a wacky question, but I want to try it. Our grass is sprayed with fertilizer and weed killer before dandelions even have a chance to grow. By the time they do come up, I won't pick them since I don't trust that they are safe. I only get them from the flowerbeds and my neighbors lawn.

My question is: If I were to dig up a plant and transplant it, do you think it would take? I could use a few pots and once the fuzzy seeds come out, plant them again. I could be a weed farmer!

Thanks for any ideas.

[Weatherlight]

I don't see why it wouldn't work. Those things grow pretty well

I want to grow a few myself, or at least let a few grow in the yard (no spraying for at least 6 months) and then harvest the greens. My cavies all love dandelion greens.

One person's weed is another's valuable, cultivated crop!

[fourboys4now]

That sounds like a good idea. My backyard does not grow hardly any dandelions and my husband is anal retentive about how our front yard looks and makes sure there are none out there. My poor pigs get no dandelions. I may have to grow some too.

[Nyuko]

I am thinking about growing some dandelions, as well. I'd love to have the greens available for my guinea pigs, but I live in a big city. I do not trust picking any from a patch of grass, as there is too great of a risk of contamination. I'm going to have to wait until a local dandelion turns to seed.

[aqh88]

It would be much easier and safer to grow dandelions from seed. You wouldn't have to wonder what might have gotten on the plant before you dug it up and dandelions have really long taproots. One reason they are so hard to kill off in a yard is that you have to dig a long way down to get all of the root. The plant can regrow from the root but the parts cut off from the taproot will not survive so it can't be transplanted to a pot without all of that root. Just grab some seeds, pots, potting soil, and plant several seeds 1/4-1/2" deep. You should have plants within the week. Thin to 1 plant per pot as dandelions can grow quite large and may even need repotted to larger containers within a month.

[gpigluver14]

My yard is blooming with hundreds of dandelions right now. It sure is a good time for my pig.

But that is a good idea, I don't see why not. I may do that just so I can have a continuous supply even after they get mowed up...

How would they do indoors??

[hurleyslave]

From what I've experienced with dandelion greens, is that they tend to grow fast and they tend to grow a LOT. I also bought some dandelion seeds and plan to grow them in a small pot. Hopefully by the time I get my seeds and have them in a pot, they'll be sprouting. I don't really trust the dandelions that grow on a hill near my university (my dorming is on a hill where lots and lots of dandelions grow) because I always hear mowing noises in the morning but don't know if aside from the mowing, they also sprinkle weed killers or pesticides. I'm guessing no weed killers as dandelions are kind of... weeds... but I'd rather not chance it. My piggie deserves the very best from me!=)

[partygirlha]

On Long Island you should have NO problem getting free seeds in a few weeks and as long as you do't let the pots dry out until they are a good size, yoiu should have greens until November and they should come back next year too. Just make sure the pots are deep if you want them to come back next year.

Seeds will be way easier then trying to dig out the taproot and transplant.