Dandelions can soon take over your garden, so here are three simple solutions to help rid your garden of the wildflower which can take over the nutrients from your soil
These hacks will effectively rid your garden of dandelions naturally. Not everyone is a fan of the humble dandelion, despite it being a pollinator’s dream, and for those green-fingered folks wanting their garden to be free of this ubiquitous bloomer, worry not.
Thanks to the wayward ways of dandelion seeds, catching a ride on the slightest gust, you might find them sprouting up everywhere from the nooks in your pavement to the heart of your carefully curated flowerbeds. For those garden lovers at their wit’s end with too many dandelions hogging the nutrients in the soil and encroaching on the space of their cherished plants, there are three brilliantly basic strategies.
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They promise to clear your plot of these pesky plants, keeping it chemical-free and safe for your garden’s diverse biosphere.
Gardening experts have shared their top tips for banishing an unyielding horde of dandelions without resorting to harsh herbicides. Tom Hilton, big boss at National Greenhouse, suggests white vinegar is your go-to dandelion destroyer. Whip up a solution mixing 95 per cent water with five per cent white vinegar and give it a good stir before you spritz it on.
“Make sure to aim for the roots, base, and then gradually spray up and down, making sure to give a good few applications,” says the gardening expert.
However, bear in mind that this tactic is best for early bloomers, as full-grown dandelions may not wave the white flag quite so easily. Whipping up a water and vinegar concoction could save you pennies, as a 568ml bottle is a mere 35p from Tesco or Aldi.
Another eco-friendly trick is to block the dandelion’s access to sunlight. An expert suggests grabbing any small pot from your garden and placing it over the weed: “This will help you to kill off the whole plant rather than just the leaves.”
For those who prefer hands-on gardening, Gardening Know How advises digging up each dandelion individually, especially when they’re young.
Due to the dandelions’ deep roots, the right tool is essential: “You’ll need a long knife or small garden fork, or some gardeners recommend using a screwdriver. Make a deep cut downwards into the soil, on all four sides around the dandelion, then pull it out.”
Yet, before you wage war on these yellow blooms, consider their benefits. The RHS highlights that “their value to wildlife, providing food to many insects and birds, is perhaps the main reason why they should be welcomed in our gardens.
Their nectar- and pollen-rich flowers appear over a long period and are loved by bees and butterflies – which is why dandelions are included on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list.
“The early flowers are especially valuable as they provide food at a time when other sources are scarce. The seeds that follow provide food for bullfinches, greenfinches, goldfinches and serins.”
Experts say that not only are dandelions an important source of nourishment for our feathered friends during the leaner months, but these humble garden weeds have been doubling as a herbal remedy for ages, packed with goodness and potentially offering numerous health perks.