I See Dandelions More Like Flowers, Than Weeds

Originally?

By: ChipmunkErnie

Written on April 1st, 2012

I love the yellow of the flowers and the white of the seeds. I remember reading years ago that dandelions were actually cultivated as flowers for their look many years ago. It was only because they spread so easily (and because of American's obsession with uniformly green, well-mown lawns) that they came to be thought of as weeds.

By: ChipmunkErnie

Age: 61-65 , Male

137 people have read this story

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12 responses

Plaid

Oh crap I'm in trouble with the code people! Both my back and front yards are wildflower (okay, weed if you must!) paradise. When I go out back, I'm wading through foliage up to my knees!

In theory the maintenance guys are gonna mow this coming week...but I heard that last week too. Good thing I *like* having wild yards.

Oh, and very cool about dandelions being cultivated at one point. I did not know that!

Apr 1, 2012
1 like
Lilt

Ernie, those code people would be all over my ***.

I'm sure they would not have liked the 60 birdhouse gourds I grew in my front yard.

Apr 1, 2012
2 likes
CFOM

MY definition of a weed is a plant that can be easily up-rooted. By that definition dandelions are not weeds; those guys put down some strong roots.

Apr 1, 2012
2 likes
- ChipmunkErnie
  LOL MY definition of a weed is something you can dig down 2 feet, tear out---and it will grow back within a week.
  
  Apr 1, 2012
  1 like
- CFOM
  Grow back fast - yep that's a weed.
  
  Apr 1, 2012
  1 like
JustBernieGirl

You can also use dandelions for greens in salads and making wine. I always love the time of year when the come out.

Apr 1, 2012
3 likes
- ChipmunkErnie
  Yes. But aren't the greens fairly bitter? I think I read somewhere about boiling them like spinach to get rid of the bitterness.
  
  Apr 1, 2012
  1 like
ChipmunkErnie

But for some reason SO important, particularly to local governments.

Apr 1, 2012
1 like
- Lilt
  How so?
  
  Apr 1, 2012
  1 like
- ChipmunkErnie
  Code Enforcement tends to show up if you don't have a nice flat lawn but lots of bushes and trees instead--you don't fit in.
  
  Apr 1, 2012
  1 like
- Lilt
  *gasp*
  
  Apr 1, 2012
  1 like
Lilt

Lawns are soooo boring.

Apr 1, 2012
1 like

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