How to Remove a Dandelion's Tap Root

It's spring, the ground has finally warmed and the grass is turning a nice shade of green. Then along comes the first dandelion, then another, then 10, 50, 100 more. To some lawn owners, dandelions are a yellow harbinger of spring, but to others, dandelions are the bane of their existence. Removing the dandelion, incredibly long taproot and all, is often the only solution to ridding a lawn of dandelions without harsh chemical treatments.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Wet the lawn

   Water the lawn using the garden hose, or pick a day after a rain when the ground is still moist. Pulling any weeds is always easier when the soil is wet, and caked, dry soil only makes it harder to pull a dandelion's tap root intact from the ground.

2. 
    
   Wheelbarrow to contain taproots

   Have a wheelbarrow or basket nearby to collect the dandelion taproots and dispose of them elsewhere. Otherwise, dandelions pulled from the ground and left on the lawn may just take root again or reseed themselves from the dandelion bloom.

3. 
    
   Cut a circle around the taproot

   Use a knife or sharp trowel to cut a complete circle around the dandelion roots and taproot. Remember to dig deeply enough, since dandelion tap roots can grow to a length of 8 to 10 inches.

4. 
    
   Rock the root

   Grip the dandelion plant and rock it gently from side to side, front to back. Follow the circle cut around the root, gently loosening the tap root from the soil. If any of the long tap root breaks off below the surface and isn't dug out, then expect a dandelion in the same spot soon or the following year.

5. 
    
   Pull out and examine the taproot

   Lift and pull the taproot out of the hole created by cutting and loosening the soil. Examine the tap root to see that it is intact. If it is, move on to the next dandelion.

6. 
    

   Enjoy your time with the dandelions. Cutting and pulling dandelions up by the taproot can be time consuming, but if it's a lovely, warm day, it is also the perfect opportunity to commune with nature and allow the stresses of the week to melt away.

Tips & Warnings

• Use care when handling any sharp knife. It might be smart to wear a pair of garden gloves when cutting dandelion tap roots.

References

• Readers' Digest Illustrated Guide to Gardening, 1995.

Resources

• Seven Ways to Get Rid of Dandelions Organically