The Surprising Reason You Shouldn’t Get Rid of Dandelions in Your Garden
Dandelions: More Than Just Weeds
When it comes to sprucing up your garden for summer, it’s unlikely you’re picturing it covered in weeds. Instead, most people are looking to kill off the persistent lawn and patio invaders that often grow back if you fail to treat them correctly.
Weeding: An Essential Gardening Task
But a green-fingered expert has insisted there is one so-called weed that you should leave in your garden to help it thrive. Scotland Grows Magazine editor, M.T. O’Donnell, has urged people to rediscover their love for dandelions instead of trying to get rid of them.
The Benefits of Dandelions
She explained that the bright yellow plant was once considered a beloved garden flower across Europe and had an array of horticultural fans in Japan who tried to develop new varieties of it. Experts at the Royal Horticultural Society, the UK’s leading gardening charity, have also argued in favor of the humble dandelion.
Dandelions for Soil Health
The dandelion naturalizes in lawns, and its wide-spreading roots loosen hard-packed soil, aerate the earth, and help reduce erosion. It also pulls nutrients such as calcium from deep in the soil to make available to other plants.
Wildlife Benefits of Dandelions
The nectar-rich flowers of dandelions are loved by bees and butterflies, making them the perfect wildlife plant. Additionally, the seeds are eaten by small birds. Their value to wildlife, providing food to many insects and birds, is perhaps the main reason why they should be welcomed in our gardens.
Natural Weed Killer
If you are still determined to rid your garden of weeds like dandelions, a green thumb has shared a homemade concoction that kills them in two hours. By mixing white vinegar, salt, and washing up liquid in a spray bottle, you can tackle the problem in a natural way that is safe for pets and your family.
Dandelions may be considered weeds by many, but they offer a variety of benefits for your garden and the environment. Instead of immediately reaching for the weed killer, consider leaving these bright yellow flowers to thrive and contribute to the health of your yard.