The common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) may be one of our favorite "weeds." Their bright, cheery yellow flowers appear first thing in spring and sporadically all season. As kids, many of us stained our arms yellow with the blooms, harvested a bouquet for mom, and blew the fluffy seed heads while making a wish. Like many species of the Asteraceae family, these flowers provide nectar for foraging bees and other pollinators.
However, they are often growing in unwanted places. They reseed prolifically and tolerate even low mowing heights, making them challenging in the lawn. Their deep, large taproots make them difficult to dig and remove. You can absolutely have too much of a good thing, and for this reason, this often beloved plant is almost universally classified as a weed.
Management Options in Lawns | Management Options in Garden Beds | More Information
Control of Dandelions in Lawns
Digging & Pulling
For dandelions sporadically located throughout the lawn, they can be easily managed by pulling and digging. This non-chemical control method is best accomplished after a soaking rain or deep watering. It is important to pull the entire plant and deep taproot to prevent plants from resprouting. A fishtail weeder (also called an asparagus knife or a dandelion digger) or a pocket knife are great weeding tools to use to pull up the deep taproot without disturbing the surrounding turf.
Dandelions easily establish by seed and even with the best of weeding efforts, new plants will appear each year. Regular and persistent removal of dandelions each time they are noticed will be needed every growing season to keep these weeds to a level where they are not noticed.
Maintain Healthy Turf
One of the best defenses for controlling dandelions is a good offense. Promoting a thick and healthy lawn helps prevent new dandelions from establishing. Follow sound cultural practices to promote a healthy lawn. This includes a good nitrogen fertility program, appropriate watering, and proper mowing. Learn more in these articles: Lawn Fertilization (PDF), Watering Home Lawns, and Mowing Your Lawn (PDF).
Herbicides
In some situations, herbicides are the only practical method of weed control. Effective broadleaf herbicides include 2,4-D, MCPP, MCPA, dicamba, triclopyr, and others. By selecting a product that contains a mixture of 2 or 3 herbicides, you can also control other problematic broadleaf weeds like creeping Charlie, thistle, plantain, and clover, as no single compound will control all broadleaf weeds. Fall (mid-September to early November) is the best time to apply broadleaf herbicides in Iowa. Broadleaf herbicides can be applied as liquids or granules.
Tolerate & Embrace Them
There is no rule against having these "weeds" in your lawn. If you enjoy them, then let them be. Continue to maintain healthy turfgrass and the population will not become overwhelming so their cherry yellow flowers can be enjoyed.
Control of Dandelions in Garden Beds
Hand Pulling is the Most Effective
The best way to control dandelions in garden areas is by hand pulling and digging. Use a spade, trowel, pocket knife, or other weeding tool to get the rosette of leaves and large taproot. The key to effective control is persistence. Repeatedly pull and dig dandelions, being sure to get the entire taproot. Preventing plants from going to seed will further help reduce the spread. Once removed, maintain clean, weed-free beds by mulching and removing new plants that emerge as soon as they are noticed.
Herbicides Can Be Used with Caution
Broadleaf selective herbicides should not be applied to flower and vegetable gardens. These chemicals will damage desirable plants along with the dandelions. Non-selective herbicides, like glyphosate, can be used with care as they will kill any green plant material they contact. Apply non-selective herbicides as a spot treatment to only the dandelion leaves. Always apply herbicides when winds are calm and temperatures are cool to prevent drift and damage to desirable plants. Protect garden plants with barriers like buckets, boxes, or plastic sheets to further reduce problems with drift. Herbicides can also be applied with a sponge and wiped onto the leaves of the weed to prevent collateral damage to nearby plants.