Albuquerque Lawn Dandelion Problems and How to Address Them

Many of the plants we consider to be weeds really have pretty lovely blooms that bees like. The dandelion is the most prevalent of these blooming weeds. However, you must make a choice if you DO want to cultivate grass. Which would you want to grow: dandelions or tall, healthy grass?  The latter is a real perennial and survivalist, returning and growing every year. If it’s not healthy, grass will outcompete it.

Dandelions are one of the earliest springtime food sources for bees, so if you’re unsure, leave them in a separate area (not on your lawn) for the pollinators. Their young leaves may be eaten raw in salads; in fact, they were introduced to this country as an exotic green. They are a great source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin A. Since many of you are here to learn how to cultivate grass, continue to read while keeping that in mind.

What are the best solutions available to eliminate dandelions?

You can use a trowel and remove weeds along with deep roots. It is a non-chemical option available to consider. Instead of using the trowel, you may also use a weeding fork.

The term “dandelion digger” describes a practical gardening equipment that is used to excavate weeds with lengthy taproots. It is a 10- to 14-inch long solid metal rod with a handle and a two-pronged blade.

Always be careful to get rid of the whole plant, including the roots. Dandelions have a lifespan of two years. Dig them out with a fury when they are in their first year and emerge as basal foliage. Excellent workout. Dig them out before they reach the seed (white puffy) stage if you miss any and they blossom the next year. You’ll have to start the procedure again from scratch if you allow them to set seed and propagate their offspring.

You can apply a selective “post-emergence” herbicide that suppresses broadleaf plants without harming established grasses if you must apply an herbicide (organic or not). Apply in the autumn. To destroy the plant, the herbicide penetrates to the roots. Winter annuals will also die if broadleaf herbicides are used in the fall since they start growing then. The optimum time to hand-dig up summer annuals such as prostrate spurge is while they are still young and not an issue.