Detailed Explanation of Dandelion Planting Methods and Techniques
Dandelions are best planted in loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam. They can be sown at any time from spring to autumn, and can be sown in a greenhouse in winter. You can collect the seeds yourself or buy them. Before sowing, open shallow furrows on the seedbed surface, sow the seeds in the furrows, then cover with soil and mulch with straw to keep warm; seedlings emerge in about 6 days. When the seedlings emerge, remove the mulch, and after that just carry out the field management tasks well.
1. Soil: It is best to plant in loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam. Apply 2000-3500 kg of organic fertilizer per mu, mix in 15 kg of superphosphate, then plow the soil deeply 20-25 cm, level and harrow it fine, and make a flat bed 1.2 m wide and 10 m long.
2. Sowing: They can be sown at any time from spring to autumn, and can be sown in a greenhouse in winter. You can collect the seeds yourself or buy them. Before sowing, open shallow furrows in the bed, with a furrow spacing of 12 cm and a furrow width of 10 cm, sow the seeds in the furrows, cover with 0.3-0.5 cm of soil after sowing, then mulch with straw to keep warm; seedlings can emerge in about 6 days, and remove the mulch when the seedlings emerge.
3. Field management
(1) Thinning and final thinning: Thin the seedlings 10 days after emergence with a plant spacing of 3-5 cm, and final thinning can be done after 20-30 days with a plant spacing of 8-10 cm.
(2) Cultivation and weeding: The first cultivation and weeding can be done 10 days after emergence, and thereafter cultivate and weed once every 10 days until the rows close.
(3) Watering: After emergence, control moisture appropriately so that the seedlings grow robustly and to prevent excessive growth and lodging; during the period of rapid leaf growth, keep the field moist to promote vigorous leaf growth; before winter, water once thoroughly, then cover with horse manure or wheat straw, etc., to help them overwinter.
(4) Fertilizing: Apply topdressing 1-2 times during the growing period. After winter begins, broadcast 2500 kg of organic fertilizer and 20 kg of superphosphate per mu on the bed surface, and after the following spring when growth resumes, apply 10-15 kg of urea and 8 kg of superphosphate per mu.
(5) Pests and diseases: Dandelions have very strong disease and pest resistance, and generally no pest or disease control is needed.