8 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Make With Dandelions

Nothing ruins the look of a lawn more than a bright yellow dandelion. These common lawn weeds stick out like a sore thumb, and they’re something we at TruGreen MidSouth treat as part of our lawn maintenance program. Yet, these “weeds” can actually be used for a variety of goods and culinary creations. Discover things you might not have known you could make from this humble plant.

Things You Can Do With Dandelions

Believe it or not, the buds, leaves, and roots of dandelions are all edible! Consequently, humans have put this versatile plant to use in a variety of ways.

Note: never used dandelions that have been sprayed as part of a lawn care service application!

1. Dandelion Vinegar

Dandelions contain many helpful minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium. By combining fresh dandelion flowers and leaves with apple cider vinegar, some gardeners use this concoction as a dietary drink!

2. Dandelion Honey

The flowers of the dandelion plant have a taste that’s similar to honey, which makes this a nice addition to regular or wildflower honey, especially if you like things with an herbal taste. You can achieve this by plucking off the yellow flower petals and combining them with honey to infuse their delicate flavor.

3. Dandelion Tea

Perhaps the easiest thing to make as all you need is the flowers and leaves of dandelions and some hot water. By placing the appropriate parts in a jar, cup, or teapot, you can make a simple but refreshing tea. Just boil water like you normally would, pour it over the plants, and strain the water after it has steeped, so you don’t get bits of flowers in the tea.

4. Dandelion Syrup

A favorite in Scandinavian countries, dandelions have been used for generations to make a delightful topping that perfectly captures the spirit of summer.

5. Dandelion Oil

Infusing a carrier oil with dandelions as a remedy for aches and pains has been a folk remedy for years. It’s also used for relieving dry, cracked skin. Carrier oils are mostly unscented oils that you can easily find at a health food store. They include things like sunflower, olive, sweet almond, apricot kernel, avocado, and hemp.

5. Dandelion Salad

Adding the roots or greens of dandelions to a salad, stir-fry, or simply steaming them as a side dish is a quick means to add some nutrition to the table. Some say they have a taste similar to that of endive.

6. Dandelion Wine

Yes, really! This unassuming little flower has been turned into wine for centuries. It has a light floral taste with a somewhat bitter note, but not overpoweringly so. It definitely is on the sweet side of the spectrum, though. And it’s often sweetened with honey instead of sugar, so if you’re someone who prefers drier wines, this might not be for you. Though it’s certainly fun to be able to say you’ve tried it once!

8. Dandelion Jelly

Try adding some of this floral and citrusy jelly to the table next time you make biscuits, bread, or pancakes! It’s a great way to celebrate the summer season and step out of the grape jelly comfort zone.

Keep Dandelions On Your Plate – Not Your Lawn

As fascinating as this little plant can be, it belongs on the dinner table – not in our lawns. At TruGreen MidSouth, we can help you keep dandelions and other broadleaf weeds out of your turfgrass and garden. We offer a multi-step lawn care program as well as a flower and bed maintenance package. Using the highest quality selective herbicides, our technicians will eradicate weeds without harming your beloved flowers or turfgrass.

If you’d like to learn more or schedule an appointment, you can reach us at the following:

For lawn care and weed control near Tupelo, please call 662-330-1330, leave us a message online here, or check out our Mississippi branch Facebook page.

For lawn care and weed control near New Orleans, please call 225-465-0665, leave a message online, or browse our Louisiana branch Facebook page.