Dandelion – 20 Seeds

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a plant with yellow flowers.Taraxacum officinale is the most common variety of this plant, and it grows in many parts of the world. Although considered a weed by many, Botanists consider dandelions to be herbs. People use the leaves, stem, flower, and root of the dandelion for medicinal purposes.

The dandelion is a hardy perennial because of its long taproot. A rosette of serrated-edge leaves form on top of a perennial tap root. The rosette base produces several flowering stems and multiple leaves. Dandelions have a toothy, deeply-notched, basal leaves that are hairless.

Common Names: Bitterwort, blow-ball, cankerwort, clockflower, common dandelion, Irish daisy, lion’s tooth, piss-in-bed, pissinlit, priest’s crown, puffball, swine’s snout, telltime, and yellow gowan.

---

Dandelion Medicinal Benefits

All parts of the plant can be used as a natural medication. The most healing properties being in the roots. The plant is high in calcium, iron, vitamins A, B, C and D chlorine, protein, and it is also one of the best sources of natural potassium.Dandelions are widely regarded as weeds but have been studied for multiple medicinal properties, including potential antiviral effects.Research indicates that dandelion may combat hepatitis B, HIV, and influenza .One study noted that dandelion extract inhibited the replication of dengue, a mosquito-borne virus that causes dengue fever.

---

Dandelion Culinary Uses

Leaves can be added to a salad or cooked. They can also be dried and stored for the winter or blanched and frozen. Flowers can be made into juice, or added into many recipes. The root can be made into a coffee substitute. The root and leaves can be dried, stored and made into tea.

---

Growing Dandelion

Indoor Sowing: Not Recommended.

Direct Sowing:  Early Spring and early Autumn.

• The Dandelion plant has a long taproot and does not transplant well, so direct sowing is recommended.
• Seeds can be direct sown in Early Spring or Early autumn.
• To help boost germination rates, you can cold stratify your seeds in the refrigerator for a week or so prior to planting seeds of dandelion.
• Seeds should be sown in loose, well-draining, fertile garden soil, and in an area that gets full sun.
• Seeds require light for germination, so surface sow the seeds and do not cover with soil – just lightly tamp, or press, the seeds into the soil surface, so that the seeds make contact with the soil.
• Keep soil consistently moist but not wet, until germination.
• Optimal temperature for germination is between 15°C to 25°C.
• Germination in about 30 days, but it may take much longer, so patience is required.