Why Are There So Many Dandelions This Year?

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Dandelions are the most common lawn weeds across the United States.  Each year their bright, yellow heads show through taking away from the beautiful, lush, green lawn we strive for.  Why does there seem to be so many more dandelions this year?

The word dandelion comes from the old French word “Dent-de-lion” which means lion’s tooth, referring to deep-tooth looks of the dandelion leaf. It is arguable if dandelions where native to the New World or introduced from Europe.  There are reports that North American Indian tribes traditionally used the dandelion for food and medicine.  Others claim that it was introduced to the mid-west from Europe to provide food for imported honeybees in early spring.  However dandelions got here, they are here to stay!

Dandelions can persist in home lawns, even those that are well maintained and also in wide, open fields.  Today dandelions are a worldwide weed problem.  All plant and animal species inherently try to survive for the next generation and dandelions are no exception.  This year there seems to be a larger number than usual showing up quickly in spring as air and soil temperatures rise. Perhaps just as many dandelions came around last year, it just seems like there are more than ever this year!

Unless you controlled your dandelion patch last year, you could have 4-5 times the amount this year.  Even if you did apply a control, perhaps you neighbor gave them to you.  The white, fluffy dandelion ball of seeds all come equipped with a nice parachute which transports it far and wide.  Dandelions are particularly visible in the spring; however, they also are very prevalent in the fall.  The dandelion plants were not particularly stressed with the mild winter weather we experienced, so we had an abundance this spring.

Spring, summer and fall are the best times to control dandelions.  Like other broadleaf weeds, they need to be actively growing to get the best control.  There are many weed control products that will control dandelions including Jonathan Green Weed & Feed Lawn Fertilizer and Jonathan Green Lawn Weed Control. There are a few keys to successful dandelion and broadleaf weed control.  Do not mow for two days before you apply Jonathan Green weed control products; you want the leaves to be fully growing and exposed so the product sticks and is absorbed into the weed leaf.  Do not mow the lawn for two days after application; you do not want to cut off the applied Jonathan Green weed control.  Apply during early morning dew or on a lightly sprinkled lawn so the granules stick to the weeds.  Do not irrigate or have a forecast of rainfall for 48 hours after application or you will wash off the weed control and get poor results.