When to Plant Dandelions? A Detailed Guide to Planting Techniques and Precautions

Although dandelions exist mainly in the form of a wild weed in the countryside, with the widespread dissemination and application of dandelion's effects and functions, growing dandelions has also become a means for rural entrepreneurs to make money. So how exactly should dandelions be planted to achieve better quality and higher yields?

When to Plant Dandelions

Dandelions are sown after July. Dandelions are cold-resistant and heat-tolerant, so the sowing period is not very strict. They can be sown after spring and summer vegetables are harvested and the land is cleared. Dandelion yield is related to the sowing period. According to experiments, for the three sowing periods of Minor Heat, Major Heat and Beginning of Autumn, the one-year yield per square meter was 0.71 kg, 0.60 g and 0.36 kg respectively. Therefore, sowing should be done as early as possible. If sowing after July, the sowing rate can be appropriately increased to raise the yield.

Dandelion Planting Techniques and Precautions

1. Site selection and land preparation

Dandelions are highly adaptable and can grow in ordinary land. Choose a fertile, moist, sunny sandy loam plot, water it thoroughly before sowing, and apply sufficient base fertilizer. After applying organic fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer, plow the soil deeply, break it up finely and level it, make beds, then water.

2. Sowing

Mature dandelion seeds have no dormancy period. When the temperature is above 15 degrees, the seeds can be sown in moist soil. They germinate after about 90 hours. Germination is faster when the seed soil temperature is around 15 degrees, and slower above 25-30 degrees, so sowing can be done from early spring to midsummer.

3. Thinning and fixing seedlings

For management after planting, generally do not water before new leaves grow; if the soil is dry, water with a spray bottle. After new leaves emerge, water according to soil moisture conditions, keeping the bed surface moist rather than dry. At the same time, begin loosening the soil and forming ridges, and replant missing seedlings promptly. Do not water within 2-3 weeks after planting to prevent root rot.

4. Field management

Dandelions have strong resistance to disease, drought and insects, so generally no pest and disease control is needed. The focus of field management is mainly fertilizer and water. Although dandelions are not strict about soil conditions, they still prefer fertile, moist, loose soil with high organic matter content. During the growing season, topdress 1-2 times.

5. Harvest

In summer and autumn, cut the whole plant before it flowers, dry it in the sun and use it as medicine. After two years of growth, in late autumn, dig out the rhizome, dry it in the sun and use it as medicine. For use as a vegetable, harvest and process it at the appropriate time. If in a greenhouse, keep the temperature above 10°C and the dandelion plants can grow normally. When the plants reach a suitable size, they can be harvested and sold.

6. Precautions for growing dandelions

Dandelions are relatively tolerant of rough cultivation. Just water them and apply appropriate fertilizer during the seedling stage. Do not fertilize during the flowering period.

The Planting Value of Dandelions

1. Nutritional value: Raw dandelions are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium, and also contain iron, calcium, vitamin B2, vitamin B1, magnesium, vitamin B6, folic acid and copper. The specific element content is mainly water. Every 60 grams of raw dandelion leaves contains 86% water, 1.6 grams of protein, 5.3 grams of carbohydrates, and about 108.8 kilojoules of calories. They can be eaten raw, stir-fried or made into soup, and are a plant used both as medicine and food.

2. Medicinal value: Dandelion tastes bitter and sweet, is cold in nature, non-toxic, and enters the liver and stomach meridians. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting urination and dispersing nodules, and is effective in treating acute mastitis, lymphadenitis, scrofula, boils and sores, acute conjunctivitis, cold with fever, acute tonsillitis, acute bronchitis, gastritis, hepatitis, cholecystitis, urinary tract infection and other conditions.

3. Ornamental value: Dandelions have the effect of greening and beautifying the environment, and whether planted as ground cover or cultivated as potted plants, they have good ornamental value.

4. Beauty value: Dandelions have been fairly widely used in beauty care. Whether for dry skin, oily skin, aging skin, or freckles, pigmented spots, dermatitis, acne as well as pimples, sycosis, white hair, hair loss and so on, they can help you eliminate “minor blemishes”, get rid of troubles, and make you “flawless as white jade” and radiant.

The Yield of Dandelions

Dandelions can be cut 6-7 times a year, producing 7200-8000 kg of fresh vegetables per mu, and can continue for 4-5 years.

If sold as medicinal material, the yield of dry product per mu is 580-650 kg, and the price is 5-6 yuan/kg.

After dandelions have grown continuously for two years, in late autumn, dig out the roots and dry them in the sun; the yield per mu is 200-250 kg, and the price is 12-15 yuan/kg.

Judging from current information, the yield of dandelions is still fairly considerable, and the planting benefits are also quite good. It is believed that in the future, after dandelion's value is further explored, together with breakthroughs in planting technology, it will bring growers higher benefits and better development prospects.