How to Pull Dandelions

The cheerful bright yellow flowers of the dandelion turn into delicate puff balls that spread the weed's seeds throughout your garden on the slightest breeze. Once established, its roots grow down into the soil several inches. If you don't remove the entire root, the plant will grow back again and again.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Compost Makers
• Gardening Gloves
• Watering Cans
• Weed Knife

1. Water the area where the dandelions are growing. Weeds will slip out of the soil, roots and all, if the soil is wet.
2. Grasp the foliage of the weed with one hand.
3. Insert a weed knife (a short-handled gardening tool) into the soil, alongside the dandelion root, with your other hand.
4. Rotate the weed knife to locate and loosen the root from the surrounding soil.
5. Lever the tool partially out of the soil; this should lift the root of the dandelion. You'll be able to feel the plant give way. If you can't feel the loosening of the root from the soil, reposition the weed knife and try again.
6. Be very careful not to break off the foliage and leave the root in the ground. If the top foliage part breaks away from the root, you'll have to pull this same weed again later.
7. Gently lift and pull the root completely to the surface, removing the plant entirely from the soil.
8. Shake off any excess soil and toss the weed into your compost pile.

Tips & Warnings

• An alternative to limit, but not remove, dandelion growth is to sever root 2 inches below surface. Then water, fertilize and reseed lawn to keep it strong against dandelion growth.
• If the dandelion has gone to seed, do not compost.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands while gardening.

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