How to Treat Dandelions in Your Yard

Dandelions are a type of flower that some people see as a weed, while others see it as a pretty flower or a good addition to a salad. To prevent yellow and white puffballs from taking over your green lawn, you can either treat dandelions in your yard or take preventative measures. The two options for dealing with the plant are either to declare war with an herbicide or to remove it manually.

What are dandelions?

Dandelions are a type of weed that commonly grows in lawns in the U.S. and Canada. However, they originally come from Europe and Asia. The plant was brought to America by European settlers for its medicinal properties.

The dandelion is named after the French term “dent de lion”, which means “tooth of the lion”. This is because the dandelion's leaves are deeply toothed.

The dandelion's flower heads are a bright yellow and 1-2 inches in diameter. They can contain up to 200 florets that are shaped like rays. The flower heads grow on hollow stalks that can range from 2 to 24 inches tall.

Dandelion leaves are hairless. The base of the flower produces several stems with leaves that eventually bloom.

The dandelion flower eventually develops into a seed head. The seeds are attached to light and feathery hairs called pappus, which enable the wind to carry and distribute the seed. The white puffballs from dandelions that you blew when you were a child to make a wish are probably recognizable to you.

Where do dandelions grow?

The dandelion plant is a common broadleaf weed. The plant can endure a lot of different surroundings such as forests, gardens, wastelands, rocky hillsides, and even your cherished green lawn. Although it prefers sunny conditions and fertile soil, it can still overrun an area with poor soils and shade.

What problems do dandelions cause?

Dandelions are difficult to get rid of not only because of their clever seed dispersal, but also because of their flowers. As soon as you finish removing an army of dandelions, they're bound to crop up again.

Here are reasons why dandelions are a nuisance in the yard:

1. Dandelions are difficult to remove

The dandelion's secret weapon is its long taproot that can grow 6 to 18 inches in length.

If you try to pull up a dandelion by the root by hand, but don't get all the roots out, the weed will grow back. To completely get rid of the problem, you need to remove the entire taproot.

The dandelion is also a perennial weed. It will come back every year if you don't get rid of it. Talk about a stubborn weed that won’t back down.

2. Dandelions aren’t easy to contain

Even if you manage to remove dandelions from your yard by pulling them up or using a chemical weed killer, their seeds can still blow into your yard from other areas and start new dandelion plants.

Dandelions have a way of spreading their seeds across the yard. The dandelion's fluffy white seeds are not only light enough to be carried away by the wind, but are also very attractive to children, who like to pick them and blow them in the wind.

3. Dandelions can ruin your lawn’s aesthetic

You've waited patiently for your seeded lawn to mature or your sod to take root, so the last thing you want to see is white and yellow dots invading your yard. Dandelions can ruin the look of your lawn, whether it's in the shade or sun. So, it's important to act quickly.

4. Dandelions compete with your lawn for water

Water is necessary for all plants to live, even the succulent you have been neglecting. Dandelions will absorb some of the water you give to your lawn, which means there will be less water available for the turfgrass. If another dandelion infestation is bad enough, your grass might not get enough water.

5. Dandelions can crowd out your grass

Dandelions can prevent other plants from growing well by forming dense mats of leaves that take up a lot of space. The dandelion will take over your lawn if it continues to spread across it year after year.

6. Dandelions attract bees

Dandelions provide sustenance for bees in the early spring.

One way to help pollinators is to provide them with a food source. Although it may be convenient to have a food source growing in the front yard, some people might be allergic to bees or have small children that play outside.

How To Get Rid Of Dandelions

There are two schools of thought on how to handle dandelions on your lawn or around your backyard.

• Use a dandelion weed killer
• Use a hand tool such as a dandelion puller

Everyone has a good reason for their own preferences. If you want your garden to be free of chemicals, a weeding tool or dandelion puller is the best option.

How To Kill Dandelions With Weed Killer

There are two basic types of dandelion weed killers:

Selective Herbicide

A broadleaf weed herbicide that targets only broadleaf weeds, such as dandelions, will be more effective than a non-selective herbicide. This herbicide will not damage the grass or other plants, making it perfect to use on lawns.

Non-Selective Herbicide

The second type of weed killer is one that will kill any plant it comes into contact with, regardless of what kind of plant it is. This weed-killer treatment is most effective when used in walkways and flower beds only. If you don't take care of your lawn, you could end up harming the grass, flowers, and other plants that grow there.

Choose a product that is appropriate for the area you are treating, or you will be unsatisfied with the results.

How To Apply Dandelion Weed Killer

When using weed killers, there are two approaches: spreading a dry formula or spraying a diluted concentrate. Let's briefly look at the benefits of each and how to apply them.

Granular Formula

If you're looking to treat a larger area of your lawn for dandelion weeds, a granular treatment is perfect. It is a good idea to broadcast the treatment with a drop spreader, which will take less time and be more accurate in terms of dosage and square footage coverage.

The granules need to come into contact with water in order to dissolve, so they should be applied to damp ground or before rainfall. Some products may be better off being watered with a hose instead of a watering can.

Soaking your feet according to the manufacturer's instructions can change how effective the product is.

Dandelion Spray

To remove a dandelion, hold the spray nozzle close to the weed and spray directly onto it. Be careful not to spray the chemical on your delicate plants. I have recommended two spray products below that are selective, so you can use them without worrying about harming your lawn or surrounding plants. Make sure to read the manufacturer's label to see if the product you are using will damage surrounding vegetation or plants.

I find backpack sprayers to be really useful when spraying large areas like a lawn or an overgrown area in the backyard – it's so much easier than doing it by hand!

Best Time To Spray Dandelions

A general guideline for spraying dandelions is to do so when they are in their early vegetative state. However, be sure to check the specific guidelines for the brand of spray you are using. if you want to use a pre-emergent herbicide, I recommend a granular product that you can apply in the spring when the weeds start to appear.

Organic Or Natural Dandelion Killer?

You can use organic herbicides that are not chemicals as a safer alternative to chemical weed killers. This organic dandelion killer works by targeting the roots of the weed, essentially killing it and preventing it from growing back.

To use the organic herbicide, simply spray it on dandelions that are growing in areas such as walkways, fences, or any other open area. Although chemical weed killers are much more effective, they may be harmful to pets and children.

Organic dandelion killers work more slowly, so you will have to reapply them several times for them to be effective. Here are some organic dandelion killer ideas to try:

Corn gluten is an organic herbicide that can be applied using a pump sprayer. To get the best results for killing dandelions, apply 20 pounds of corn gluten to a lawn that is 1,000 square feet. If your lawn is bigger, you will need to use more corn gluten. After you finish spraying the corn gluten, water the lawn thoroughly so it can absorb it.

Another organic spray you can use as a post-emergent herbicide is borax, a natural household cleaning product. To make a borax solution, mix 300 grams of borax powder with 6 liters of water. Pour the solution into a pump sprayer, and then spritz it onto dandelion leaves. You will need to spray this homemade weed killer a few times in order to achieve the best results.

Killing Dandelions In Lawn With Vinegar

That may be true, but archaeologists have also found that vinegar was used as a fabric softener and food preservative as far back as 5000 BC. Vinegar is thought to be the number one enemy of weeds, but it was also used as a fabric softener and food preservative as early as 5000 BC. It is a fact that weeds, for example dandelions, do not react well to the acetic acid found in vinegar because it harms their leaves and flowers.

However, there is a downside – household vinegar only contains 5% acetic acid, so it's not strong enough to kill dandelions. The type of vinegar that is stronger and used for horticultural applications contains 20% acetic acid. This is more effective in killing the leaves of dandelions, but not the roots. I would not recommend this option as it may result in burning your skin.

To make a more effective and safer solution, mix ¼ cup of lemon juice with 1 cup of household vinegar and 1 tablespoon of dish soap. The lemon juice will help the solution to stick better. Spray the mixture on the leaves of the dandelions and let it sit for a while to work against the weed. After spraying dandelions with the solution, they will die within a few hours.

How To Get Rid Of Dandelions Naturally

If you're not into using chemical sprays, or the organic mixture didn't work like you wanted it to, there are other natural ways to get rid of dandelions. It will take longer to remove dandelions naturally than to spray them with chemicals. You don't have to worry that your grass, pets, or children will be hurt.

Here I have listed the 5 best natural methods to get rid of dandelions on the lawn:

1. Dig Them Out

This method is incredibly effective and will kill the dandelions, but it is also time-consuming. The best time to do this is in the spring. Get rid of the taproots of the seedlings as soon as you see them. You should mow your lawn every few weeks to prevent dandelions from getting established.

2. Weigh Them Down

Place a piece of cardboard or plastic over the area of your yard that is filled with dandelions. Then, put mulch, grass clippings, or compost on top of the cardboard or plastic to weigh it down. This prevents the dandelion seeds from growing further.

3. Use Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is another useful way of destroying dandelions. The alcohol in the solution dries out the weed's leaves and kills the plant. Spray the dandelions or apply the solution to moss. After applying the herbicide, the dandelions should start to die within 6 hours.

4. Burn Dandelions 

A weed burner torch is another effective method for burning weeds. The flame-throwers will efficiently eliminate the top portion of the weed. I have to say, this is a fun way to kill weeds, especially for those who love playing with fire! Be careful not to burn down your yard with its trees and shrubs.

Because boiling water is effective in removing all types of weeds, it makes sense to use it to remove dandelions. You will need to do this process over a course of a few days, and the weed will start to die and shrivel. Pour the dandelion liquid carefully as it can burn any plants or grass near it. Once the leaves of the plant turn brown, pull it out along with its roots.

5. Pull Them Out With A Dandelion Weeder 

A tool that is easy to use and resembles an oversize screwdriver is the dandelion removal tool. This tool is effective in removing dandelions. This tool was designed to cut asparagus, but gardeners quickly realized that it can also be used to remove dandelions.

The harpoon weeder has a V-shaped notch at the tip for pushing into the ground and an extra-long rod for pulling out the plant. To use this tool, simply press down on the handle to remove weeds from the ground. There is no need to twist the tool or use any other special movements.

On-Going Dandelion Control

• Mow your lawn regularly but cut no more than a third of the length in a single session. This prevents the grass from drying out quickly.
• Sow grass seeds to fill the dandelion spots. This is best done right after you’ve pulled out all the dandelions. The empty patches must quickly fill with grass seeds. Otherwise, new dandelions will reclaim the same spot.
• Water your lawn deeply to encourage a strong root system.
• Schedule your fertilizing based on the type of grass you have.
• Make sure you use high nitrogen fertilizer regularly to maintain a healthy lawn. Remember, dandelions or any other weeds are less likely to invade well-maintained lawns. If you are unable to pull out all the dandelions in one go, try mowing them down during their blooming season to prevent them from maturing into puffballs and spreading their seedlings in your lawn and in your neighbor’s.
• Mulching to a minimum depth of 3 inches will prevent dandelions from growing. Use your grass clippings as mulch to cover the lawn. The thicker the lawn, the better.
• Once you’ve gained control of your dandelion problem, consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide 4 to 6 weeks before dandelions germinate. This weed killer won’t get rid of the existing weeds, but it will stop the seeds from sprouting.