Dandelions can spread quickly via seed to colonise freshly cultivated soil, and are able to survive in compacted soil in lawns. The deep tap root allows them to survive and re-grow when the top of the plant is cut off. Seed can blow in from surrounding gardens, fields and waste-ground.
Solution
Organic
Remove the whole tap root by digging down into the soil with a knife or spike-like daisy grubber. Stop plants from setting seed by removing flowers before they produce fluffy seeds.
Chemical
Dandelions growing in paving or flowerbeds can be treated by applying a systemic weedkiller at the leaves. A selective lawn weedkiller or a lawn feed and weed product can be used on dandelions growing in lawns.
Comments and rating
Overall rating (from 1 ratings):
Thanks PJ. I will try this.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
5 out of 5
Salt-now thats a new one on me. Will try this as im overrun with them all over my garden, but I need to save a few for the guinea pigs!!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I'll try the salt option too but plan to double up withg a feed and weed approach too. I'm Clive from Ipswich.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
i will to try the salt approach though i have spent around 2 hours on my hands and knee's digging them out. im hoping the salt will kill any roots that may remain. thanks gav from s.wales
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
PamelaJ commented on this article
16 August 2009
I find common salt - you know the type you use for cooking - will kill a dandelion right down to the root - yes it leave you a white patch in your lawn, but that soon grows over!
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.