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Original poster

Are dandelions taking over Britain?

62 replies

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 17/05/2021 07:14

Is it just me, or are there billions of them, everywhere? Is it because it's been such a dry and cold spring? I don't remember this happening last year as much!
While we were driving past whole fields of them yesterday, my daughter decided that the collective noun for the flowers is a Roar and for the clocks a Tick Tock. I love this!

OP posts:

nimbuscloud · 17/05/2021 07:17

They are a fantastic early food source for bees and other pollinators so it’s great they are so plentiful!
Also No Mow May may be spreading- no grass cutting for the month of may !

Hoohaahoo · 17/05/2021 07:17

There are tons! They’re nice for a ‘weed’ though, did you know they are completely edible? Tons of health benefits too.

LauraLovesLemons · 17/05/2021 07:22

They've obviously had good spring conditions; it was also an excellent spring for magnolias resulting in better than usual flowering. This does happen to certain species in any given year and you find yourself noticing them more when they're particularly splendid. A couple of years ago hollyhocks did very well and I was spotting them springing up all over my neighbourhood, and another year tulip displays were particularly good and long lasting which inspired me to plant more at home.

BarbaraofSeville · 17/05/2021 07:22

We have billions of them on one medium size lawn and one quite big lawn. I quite like them.

I also came onto this thread to mention No Mow May, I saw it on the BBC earlier in the month. As well as No Mow May, they were talking about how you should cut your grass less often, so it's better for wildlife - once a month instead of once a week, I think.

www.plantlife.org.uk/everyflowercounts/

LauraLovesLemons · 17/05/2021 07:23

PS I like your daughter's descriptions!

schroeder · 17/05/2021 07:24

That sounds great, I would happily submit to dandelion overlords.

MusicWithRocksIn1t · 17/05/2021 07:28

They are everywhere, I'm so pleased as I love them. Brilliant little bursts of colour.

BettyUnderswoob · 17/05/2021 07:33

I like dandelions, too. Not sure why they’re so undesirable, they’re a lovely burst of colour. Not sure I’ve seen any more than usual this year, though.

Love your DDs collective nouns, OP!

MayGreen · 17/05/2021 07:37

I agree there are so many this spring. They are wonderful in huge swathes, dazzling yellow then the beautiful clocks. They've been amazing round here for the past few years, better than daffodils, since the council stopped spraying them and began leaving large areas unmowed. Have you seen the goldfinches feeding off the seeds? They love them, they are really acrobatic so close to the ground, it's great to watch and see the benefits to wildlife dandelions have. So good for bumblebees too. I say all this as a vegetable grower who does weed them out the veg beds, but I leave them for wildlife at the edges.

eurochick · 17/05/2021 07:38

It's the same round here - the dandelions have gone crazy. It's the best year for bluebells I can remember too.

nameme8746 · 17/05/2021 07:39

Our council isn't cutting them in maintained areas anymore to help bees.

wonkylegs · 17/05/2021 07:40

It's been a good year for dandelions and also wild rabbits here. I think they are connected. I don't mind as long as the rabbits stick to the dandelions but I suspect they won't.

Poorlykitten · 17/05/2021 07:40

They are extremely important for pollinators!

BogRollBOGOF · 17/05/2021 07:46

They'll have seeded last year when council services were being redirected in early lockdown and landscape maintainence wasn't being carried out in dandelion season.

Councils are strategically leaving longer more natural verges for the pollination benefit too.

I like dandelions in the wild, but they can easily take over my small lawn and leave little grass left so I do have to manage them (but don't aim to eradicate). I also have other season long plants for pollinators.

Indoctro · 17/05/2021 07:48

🌼💛 Hello, I'm a dandelion.
A lot of people call me a weed but I'm a friend and come to help you!
.
When you see me, remember that I'm the ONLY one who wants and can grow in that particular spot. Because:
.
Either the soil is too compact / hard / stomped and I want to loosen it for you with my roots.
.
Or there is too little calcium in the soil - don't worry, I will replenish that for you with the dying of my leaves.
.
Or the soil is too acidic. But I will also improve that for you if you give me the chance.
Or a mixture of the above reasons, of course. 😊
.
I'm here because your soil needs my help so best you let me grow without disturbing me! When everything is fixed, I will disappear again, I promise!
.
Are you trying to remove me prematurely with my root? However meticulous you are, I will return 2x as strong! Just until your soil is improved.
.
You can even tell by my growth at which stage my help is at. If my leaves are flat on the ground then I'm far from ready but if they all reach up then I'm already a long way on my way.
.
Something completely different is that I am 1 of the first bloomers in spring so I will announce spring / summer for you.
.
During the day when it's hot, I open my flowers but in the evening when it cools off I close them again quickly. In fact, if it's not hot enough during the day I won't open them at all!
.
My flowers are the first food for insects after hibernation and unlike most other plants, I have pollen AND nectar, not merely one OR the other! And I am generous with them! 🤪😉
.
My flowers are even delicious for you people by the way, did you know? I used to be called ′′honey (or gold) of the poor′′ because my flowers are so sweet in e.g. jam, sauce or salad! The internet is full of recipes - check them out.
But wait until the end of May or later before you start picking and even then, don't pick everything yet! The biodiversity and bees will be very grateful!

🌼🌼🌼

JaneJeffer · 17/05/2021 07:50

I used to be called ′′honey (or gold) of the poor′′
You used to be called pissy bed round here.

newnortherner111 · 17/05/2021 07:59

I feel somehow different, as I have seen fewer than usual.

LadyCatStark · 17/05/2021 08:10

There are loads this year which is good for me as they’re my tortoises’ favourite food!

KenAdams · 17/05/2021 08:11

Dandelion honey is delicious. You can also batter and deep fry the heads.

UseOfWeapons · 17/05/2021 08:16

@Indoctro

🌼💛 Hello, I'm a dandelion. A lot of people call me a weed but I'm a friend and come to help you! . When you see me, remember that I'm the ONLY one who wants and can grow in that particular spot. Because: . Either the soil is too compact / hard / stomped and I want to loosen it for you with my roots. . Or there is too little calcium in the soil - don't worry, I will replenish that for you with the dying of my leaves. . Or the soil is too acidic. But I will also improve that for you if you give me the chance. Or a mixture of the above reasons, of course. 😊 . I'm here because your soil needs my help so best you let me grow without disturbing me! When everything is fixed, I will disappear again, I promise! . Are you trying to remove me prematurely with my root? However meticulous you are, I will return 2x as strong! Just until your soil is improved. . You can even tell by my growth at which stage my help is at. If my leaves are flat on the ground then I'm far from ready but if they all reach up then I'm already a long way on my way. . Something completely different is that I am 1 of the first bloomers in spring so I will announce spring / summer for you. . During the day when it's hot, I open my flowers but in the evening when it cools off I close them again quickly. In fact, if it's not hot enough during the day I won't open them at all! . My flowers are the first food for insects after hibernation and unlike most other plants, I have pollen AND nectar, not merely one OR the other! And I am generous with them! 🤪😉 . My flowers are even delicious for you people by the way, did you know? I used to be called ′′honey (or gold) of the poor′′ because my flowers are so sweet in e.g. jam, sauce or salad! The internet is full of recipes - check them out. But wait until the end of May or later before you start picking and even then, don't pick everything yet! The biodiversity and bees will be very grateful!

🌼🌼🌼

Beautiful! I never mow until the dandelions have died off, I never cut them, unless I’m taking a few leaves to add to a salad, or soup. I love watching the bees 🐝, flying about happily amongst the yellow of the dandelions, and the blue of the forget-me-nots!

bytheby · 17/05/2021 08:19

wonderful! Dandelions everywhere please!
I am finding it so depressing how few bees I am seeing this year and dandelions help perk me up.

pinkearedcow · 17/05/2021 08:26

@JaneJeffer

I used to be called ′′honey (or gold) of the poor′′ You used to be called pissy bed round here.

Aw, don't ruin it!

LOads of them here too. Maybe we should make salads!

BagORats · 17/05/2021 08:30

@JaneJeffer

I used to be called ′′honey (or gold) of the poor′′ You used to be called pissy bed round here.

Poorlykitten · 17/05/2021 08:42

‘When everything is fixed I will disappear again?’ Or will I just continually multiply and take over your lawn completely...☹️

MindtheBelleek · 17/05/2021 08:57

@nimbuscloud

They are a fantastic early food source for bees and other pollinators so it’s great they are so plentiful! Also No Mow May may be spreading- no grass cutting for the month of may !

Exactly. It’s a good thing. And my unmown garden is alive with bees and butterflies.

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