How to Get Rid of Dandelions

Dandelions were introduced to North America by the earliest European settlers who used them for food. Now, hundreds of years later, as our diets have changed and dandelions have thrived, this perennial flower is now considered a weed.

If you prefer a lush lawn covered in uniform turf, this article will give you tips to keep your yard free of dandelion weeds. With some elbow grease and a little scientific know-how, you can get rid of dandelions on your lawn, even if your neighbors have a field of yellow flowers. Your grass lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood.

First, understand the life cycle of dandelions. They are perennial plants, meaning that even though their stems and leaves die over winter, their root systems survive underground. This allows the same individual weed plant to regrow, year after year. The key to getting rid of dandelions is to attack the root system.

Test your soil pH. Dandelions grow best in slightly alkaline soil; a pH of 7.5 is ideal. They may tolerate lower, more acidic pHs. On the other hand, most grass varieties prefer slightly acidic soil, with a pH less than 7. One way to deter dandelions is to keep your soil's pH in the range that grass prefers. Sulfur, sawdust, wood chips and peat moss can be used to make soil more acidic.

Plant a type of lawn grass that thrives in your geographic area, preferably something native that has a home field advantage. Introducing competition from a hardy grass is the best way to stem the growth of dandelions in your yard.

During the spring and fall, when the dandelion shoots are most visible, get on your hands and knees and uproot them. Dandelion tap roots can reach as far as one foot under your lawn. Use a long knife to dig into the soil near the plant and cut out the root.

Whenever you dig out a dandelion and its root, spray the hole with a little weed killer to eradicate any pieces of root that you weren't able to dig up.

If your neighbors have a bad weed problem, you can protect your lawn from the windborne seeds by erecting a solid fence. This won't completely prevent the seeds from drifting over to your side of the fence, but in combination with the other methods, you will have fewer new dandelions taking root.

Keep your grass healthy by removing the clippings after you mow. Try adding some turf building fertilizer that doesn't benefit weeds. When you water your lawn, conserve water so that your yard isn't a swamp. Over-watering is conducive to dandelion growth. Just remember that healthy grass is the best weapon against dandelions.

© Had2Know 2010