Dandelions

[Peruvian]

My yard is nothing but dandelions this year. I’ve been putting down lime for years hoping to sweeten the soul enough that they would not be able to outgrow the grass built it seems futile.

I used to put down corn gluten meal but it’s pricey and I never really felt it was working.

Anyone have thoughts on non-petrochemical ways to eradicate them?

[Timberridge]

Fire

[Mazderati]

1. Register as boutique small batch organic dandelion tea farm.
2. Harvest and sell.
3. Profit.

[powdrhound]

Lots of weed, a putty knife, a foam pad, headphones, a good wide brimmed hat.
One square yard at a time.
For five years.

[refried]

You have to pull them all out by hand with the root, it may take a few weeks.

[Skidog]

First food of the year for bees...just leave them alone and cut...if you cut lawn once a week it should be ok. Maybe just clean up the frontage if it bothers you. I prefer to feed bees...

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[skaredshtles]

Fire

Preferably started with fuel oil.

[cycology1]

First food of the year for bees...just leave them alone and cut...if you cut lawn once a week it should be ok. Maybe just clean up the frontage if it bothers you. I prefer to feed bees...

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This... also the wife gathers them for the chickens, leaving the roots and lower part of Plant. Seems like a win-win all around.

[DJSapp]

About a dozen chickens should do the trick.

[Skidog]

This... also the wife gathers them for the chickens, leaving the roots and lower part of Plant. Seems like a win-win all around.

I'll remember this if I get chickens..wife's been cackling for them...haha

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[From_the_NEK]

Why are dandelions so frowned upon? They only blossom for a few weeks and then the greens stay nice and green the rest of the summer. For me, if it is nice and green and doesn't have thorns, it can grow on my lawn. IMO, people get way too worked up and spend way too much money on making sure only perfect "lawn grass" is growing in their lawns.

[irul&ublo]

My yard is nothing but dandelions this year...

Anyone have thoughts on non-petrochemical ways to eradicate them?

[goldengatestinx]

Let 'em grow and go to seed. Mow without a bag. Seeds wander to neighbors. Sharing is priceless.

Was good sport for the PITA neighbors when I lived in suburbia purgatory hell for a couple years a lifetime ago.

[wooley12]

I'm just guessing but I'd bet every neighbor that you ever had was an asshole.

[RShea]

Dig them all out by hand with one of these if you are young enough to bend over for an afternoon: or if you want to save your back and knees then one of these:

Then have a nice big salad with all the leaves.

Alternative - hire a neighbor kid at a set rate of so many cents a dandelion....

[JimmyCarter]

Wait for a bunch of free-range vegans to take care of it for you?

[frorider]

Tourniquet.

Obviously.

[Peruvian]

Fire is petro.

I’ve got 4200 sq yards just in the front. I’m thinking there isn’t enough weed or foam in the world.

So I have 40 chickens out on the lawn now. Albeit they are broilers and not layers so they eat everything in sight (within 16” of their mouths) and shit buckets. I’m pretty sure their crap is why I can’t stay ahead with the lime.

No neighbors out my way so that’s not the problem.

The issue is that the dandelions aren’t very soft under foot and we walk around barefoot quite a bit (although not in the chicken yard).

So far the organic tea farming seems like the most legit option.

[Rideski]

[Flyoverland Captive]

Anyone have thoughts on non-petrochemical ways to eradicate them?

Why non-chemical? This stuff works like magic, and doesn't appear to harm anything but shitty weeds:

[adrenalated]

Put some shoes on, hippy.

[muted]

Why non-chemical? This stuff works like magic, and doesn't appear to harm anything but shitty weeds:

I have been doing the by-hand for years and I'm over it. they grow back quickly. Time for some chemicals which I've been avoiding because of dogs and kids. I guess I'll try this product before we leave for a week in June. Or maybe I'm too cautious? I know Round-up is pure evil, it kills deer...

[DJSapp]

Alternative - hire a neighbor kid at a set rate of so many cents a dandelion....

I have a standing agreement with my kids - $2 per 5 gallon bucket of weeds. They're still too young to know they're being underpaid.

[Flyoverland Captive]

I have been doing the by-hand for years and I'm over it. they grow back quickly. Time for some chemicals which I've been avoiding because of dogs and kids. I guess I'll try this product before we leave for a week in June. Or maybe I'm too cautious? I know Round-up is pure evil, it kills deer...

I've been using this stuff for a couple years; it hasn't affected my dog or my chickens, and plenty of deer still invade my gardens almost daily, so it does't seem to bother them either.

You just spray the leaves, and in a few days the plant shrivels and disappears. Magic.

[Peruvian]

Why non-chemical? This stuff works like magic, and doesn't appear to harm anything but shitty weeds:

Looks like the primary ingredient is dimethylamine salt. I’m not totally familiar with it but a quick google search suggests it’s got some potential side effects on aquatic animals and others.