Organic Dandelion Control
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Most notably, dandelions have a history of use as a natural diuretic that promotes water and salt extraction from the body. Pets eating dandelion leaves are often dealing with a digestive problem.
Because dandelions are highly adaptable plants, able to put down a good set of roots in a variety of environmental conditions, dandelion removal can be problematic. Dandelion taproots commonly grows between 6-18 deep. If the entire root is not removed, it can regenerate and grow into a mature plant either later in the season or next season.
Organic removial options begin by either pulling or digging out the root. If the soil is loose and moist, and the dandelion plant is small and without a bloom, try grasping the plant on the part of the stem closest to the ground and lightly prying the roots from the soil.
A simple garden trowel is often enough of a tool to dig a hole around the plant, and digging is easier with moist soil. Begin digging a couple of inches around the plant to get a good feel for its root structure. Continue removing dirt as you work your way closer to, or further from the root, as necessary.
Vinegar is a popular organic weed management tool if you want to supplement your digging plan with the direct application of an organic herbicide. Apply it directly to the leaves and note that vinegar only kills the leaves and not the root. Root removal is necessary to prevent further growth.
Healthy lawns, like healthy gardens, are built on healthy soil. Soil management is the preferred long term approach for dandelion management. Most experts say that a 6.5 pH level is optimal for growing grass. Since 7.0 pH is the neutral reading, the 6.5 pH level means that grass likes a slightly acidic soil. Dandelions, on the other hand, optimally grow in a 7.5 soil pH level, or a slightly alkaline soil.
Applying a sulfur based product on the soil is the most common suggestion for lowering soil pH. You will need a soil test for your lawn to know the exact levels of any one of a variety of organic soil amendments to apply in order to decrease the soil alkalinity.
The most popular organic herbicide for long term dandelion management today is corn gluten meal, or mashed up and dried out corn. When spread over soil, it acts to repress future seed germination.
Finally, mowing should also be a part of you long term weed management practices. Weeds have a very difficult time taking root in areas with high density grass that stands above three inches tall. Maintaining your lawn with a grass height of over three inches allows for your grass to develop deeper roots, leaving little room for weed seeds to germinate.
© 2006-2008. Patricia A. Michaels.