Stop! Think Twice Before Killing These Beneficial Weeds!

If there was an official plant for the month of May here in Massachusetts, it would surely be the dandelion.

Whether you’re in Pittsfield, Sheffield, Adams or Savoy, this ubiquitous weed is EVERYWHERE.  That said, think twice before getting out the herbicide, because dandelions are actually useful weeds and good for the environment!

Now, before we talk about why they’re good, let me say “I get it” when it comes to wanting to remove them.  When my wife and I owned a home in Pittsfield, our yard was covered with them…and I mean covered.  There’s certainly pressure, especially if you live in a neighborhood, to have a perfect lawn with no weeds and thick grass, etc etc.  So, we hired someone to take care of the dandelions and they did…but unless your yard is nothing BUT dandelions, you may just want to let them be!

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First and foremost, they’re good for pollinators, such as honeybees, bumblebees, and more!  If you’re trying to grow a garden, plants, or flowers in your yard, attracting these pollinators will help get things growing and blooming.  Also, there’s this minor little fact that around 80% of crop plants that produce our food worldwide require pollinators.  And, since pollinators are in decline, keeping some dandelions around will help feed bees and keep them healthy, especially during May when other plants and flowers aren’t as widely available.

Dandelions, in moderation, are also good for your lawn.  Why?  They have deep roots that loosen up soil, can take calcium from deep down and help feed other plants, and they help reduce erosion.

Also, dandelions are edible and they’re good for you!  They contain good amounts of vitamins A, C and K.  And, if you look online, you’ll find plenty of dandelion recipes!  Here’s a good site with a few examples:  16 Dandelion Recipes | The Prairie Homestead

So, I know there can be pressure to have that perfect lawn, and maybe you really do want a lawn free of yellow.  But, you may want to reconsider, because these are weeds that are really useful to Mother Nature…and to us!