A Love Note to Dandelion

Freshly blooming dandelion flowers collected in a basket.

DANDELION, A FRIEND TO ALL

I think my first memory of Dandelion might have been the school playground. Or perhaps the sidewalk boulevard. Or maybe the softball fields. I don’t have memory of Dandelions in gardens per se. But everywhere my childhood was playing, so was Dandelion. The yellow flowers catching our attention in an otherwise mundane landscape. They gifted us games of buttery yellow chins, songs that popped, and later in their life cycle, they bloomed into whispy wish wands. Like blowing bubbles, if bubbles were alive.

Handfuls of fresh Dandelion blossoms picked and dried.

THE LION’S TOOTH

Dandelion’s name comes from the French “dent-de-lion” meaning “tooth of the lion”. This likely came from the shape of the plant’s leaf, with small edges that jet out like the mouth of a lion’s sharp roar. And yet, there are no spikes or edges to hurt the weeding hand or wandering bare foot. Dandelion is in fact quite a gentle herb, but there is no doubt it is also a fighter: holding its ground, expanding its territory. The round yellow flower also resembles the beautiful Lion’s mane. A crown that makes sense for this hearty plant. It is truly a king of herbs in its ability to persevere, grow and heal anywhere.

The Dandelion’s leaf is shaped like a Lion’s tooth, or in French, the ‘dent de Lion’.

FRONT LAWNS AND THOMAS JEFFERSON

There’s a funny story relating to the cultural placement of Dandelions in our weird little world today. We often associate Dandelions as the enemies of the well-kept lawn. Certainly in suburbia, where our Tiny Forest lives, there is a shared vision of grass planted in front of houses in rows, mowed meticulously. But this vision didn’t just appear. It actually came from U.S. President Thomas Jefferson.

As America began to settle, there was an ideal for order after the chaos of war. And Jefferson was determined to bring some order his own land at Monticello inspired by horticulture from Versailles in France. At the time, the planting a variety of grasses was common. It provided for animals such as sheep, cattle and horses to graze upon. Grass was a plant designed for the time and the need. Keeping it short however, was a matter of his personal taste to signify simplicity and a sense of order in an otherwise chaotic world. Perhaps that is why so many chase this same vision two hundred and some odd years later.

THE RIDICULOUS WAR ON THIS LITTLE HERO

But Jefferson was returning from war, seeking peace and retreat in the garden. I don’t believe it was his intention to launch a new centuries-long war on a medicinal herb. Somehow we’ve gotten a little lost since the beginning.

In my beginning with Dandelions, it was clear at an early age that they stirred up drama among the grown ups. They all seemed very aligned in their strong distaste for Dandelion. And a walk through any garden center or home improvement store will point to this sad and confusing truth.

Aisles and aisles of poisonous weed killer, particularly Dandelion killer, has created a multi-billion dollar industry. Lawn mowers, grass seed and grass fertilizer are additional industries to support this meticulous vision of the pristinely green front lawn. Strange to think that even in climate chaos, the number one irrigated plant in the United States, is the lawn. A grass that has persisted when the grazers that fed on it are long gone. And yet, we pour our resources into it.

HEALING THE SOIL, DESIGNING FOR OUR NEEDS

But the sleepy Lion persists. Dandelions, despite our every effort to eradicate them from the very face of the earth, have persevered. And not only do they manage to battle the annual deluge of poison thrown their way, but if they find a patch to grow in, they can actually heal and rejuvenate the soil. Their long taproots sink deep into the earth, aerating the soil, to capture nutrient layers below and bring these minerals up to their stems and leaves. After their life cycle is complete, they leave these nutrients on top of the soil to nourish the other plants around them, creating an inviting space for other native plants and herbs to grow.

Let’s say we’re tasked with an assignment to design a space in front of houses to meet the needs of those in it. Let’s say for whatever reason, these people don’t want a garden, they’re seeking a plant or two that they don’t have to think about. We certainly wouldn’t choose a five foot tall fragile water dependent plant, that would need to be groomed and cut several times a year, with several amendments just to keep it alive. We might instead choose a low-growing soft herb. Something you could play soccer on and it would still thrive. Something maintenance free: A drought-tolerant plant, that would return every year. A plant that could support healthy soil, feed pollinators, and require no mowing. And what if in addition to all of that, this little plant also offered edible and medicinal benefits to people? What then would it mean for the front lawn as a symbol of making order out of the chaos of the world?

Picking fresh dandelions on a sunny spring day.

IDEAL GROWING CONDITIONS FOR DANDELION

As we all know, Dandelions grow where they are planted. They are sturdy and can thrive in almost any challenging situation. But we don’t have to challenge them. They do have some preferences, if you’re seeking to cultivate and support them. They love to be warm and dry. Full sun, well-drained soil. And while their seeds will grow in any soil type they reach, they do, like most plants, prefer soil rich with organic matter.

Ours bloom heavily every May, offering immediate benefits to the starving pollinators after our long winters. Ours also live up on a hill, just above our large perennial garden, in a bed of other ‘spring mix’ herbs such as red clover, wood sorrel, plantain and purslane. The many rabbits in our yard leave our perennial flowers and annual vegetables alone, much preferring the ‘salad bar’ of dandelion and other low-growing herbs.

USING DANDELION IN YOUR HERBAL APOTHECARY

Dandelion can be used as a food and a medicine, assuming they are harvested from an area protected from pesticides.* Its leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals and can be added as a green to any salad, sauté or smoothie. At Tiny Forest Farm, we love to use sweet Dandelion and often incorporate them in our herbal apothecary. We carefully harvest the roots for a healing, comforting and detoxifying tea. Known for its diuretic properties, Dandelion is commonly used to gently flush out toxins, support liver function, and promote healthy digestion.* We use the flowers with plantain, lavender and beeswax to make skin-healing balms that rehydrate the skin and help to heal scratches, burns and bites.

*It is of course, always important to do your own research to ensure you’re harvesting safely and responsibly and that any herbal creation is safe and prepared in appropriate dosages.

A FAVORITE HERB FOR THE EVERYDAY GARDEN

The Lion’s tooth really is an apt name. This tiny herb has a fierceness and tenacity to persist against all odds. And yet, it really has the heart of a Lion. That beautiful flower crown shines golden. The whispy wish wands glow silvery. A gentle protectiveness, that will provide in every way. From healing the soil, to feeding pollinators, the Dandelion is an ideal addition to a healthy yard. And with its edible and medicinal properties, it offers a bonus gift to any herbal enthusiast.