Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Our True Wild Dandelion seeds have been wild-harvested and processed by hand, sourced from our privately tended fields that are not contaminated by pollution, pesticide/insecticides, sprays or chemicals. Our seeds are cold hardy and very productive. In cooler climates they are grown as perennials and annuals in hot climates. All parts of the dandelion plant can be harvested and used in cooking, tea, or used for plant properties purposes.
Try harvesting the young leaves to use in a baby spring mix along with baby Red Russian Kale and Buttercrunch Lettuce and have gourmet salads all season long. Use the flower fried or raw in soups, stir-fries and salads or dried along with the roots in teas. You can also make dandelion tinctures or capsules; dandelion is packed with important vitamins & minerals and may assist with fighting inflammation, blood sugar management, promote liver health, and more.
NAME: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
VARIETY: Wild
DAYS TO MATURITY: 75 – 85 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Perennial
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 10
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Sun
SOIL: Average soil with a pH 6.2 – 6.8
PLANT HEIGHT: 6 – 15 inches
SPACING: 4 – 6 inches
TEMP: 45 – 85 °F
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
It is not recommended start True Wild Dandelion seeds indoors, due to the plant’s deep taproot. Starting seeds indoors may result in root disturbance during transplanting, leading to stunted growth or plant shock.
If you decide to start your seeds indoors, use seed trays or biodegradable pots filled with well-draining potting soil.
Sow the seeds thinly on the surface of the soil and lightly press them in.
Keep the soil consistently moist and place the containers in a location with plenty of sunlight or under grow lights.
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have developed several sets of true leaves, being careful not to disturb the roots.
Once temps reach 40°F during the day you can directly sow seeds.
Sprinkle 3 to 5 seeds every 6 inches apart on top of the soil surface in your prepared bed, lightly pressing seeds into the soil but without covering with additional soil as dandelions need sunlight to germinate.
Water in your seeds and keep the seeds continuously moist for the next 15 days.
Once seedlings emerge, thin all but 2 seedlings every 6 inches.
Allow your dandelions to grow for several weeks before harvesting.
Prepare a soil bed by removing weeds, rocks & roots, that is located in medium-full sunlight, avoid heavy compacted clay soils.
More space between plants will produce larger plants with bigger leaves and flowers; closer plantings will produce smaller plants and flowers but require less weeding between your plants.
True Wild Dandelion is a hardy plant that requires minimal care once established.
If you do not want your dandelions reseeding into surrounding areas of the garden you will need to remove the flowers before they turn white and fluffy.
Harvest your dandelion leaves in the spring, summer or fall by cutting the leaves off just below the crown with a sharp knife.
The leaves should be harvested when they are less than 9 inches long and before the plant flowers, or they will become bitter in taste.
Harvest the flowers when they are fully expanded, plump and bright yellow; if they go to seed and turn white with fluff you are too late.
Leave your unharvested dandelion plants for following year; they are perennial, so they will come back again next spring (As long as your climate has a cold season).
If you plan to harvest the roots, dig up your dandelion plants using a needle-nose spade; they are best harvested in the fall of the plants first year or early spring of the second year. Wash roots well before use.
