Dandelions

[bagpuss]

Am I right in thinking there are rather more of these weeds than hitherto?

On my way to work, the verges on the roadside appear covered with the things, and those in my garden bear a striking resemblance to triffids!

Could this be a cunning plan by Homebase? Over the past few days i've spent over £40 on weed and feed and Roundup (don't want to kill the neighbour's cat- just the weeds) and about 10 hours of slog in the garden.

In the old days one got rid of them with salt. Digging them up's useless- you'd need the skills of a dentist to get those roots out.
So what do the orgers do? Answers on this thread please?

[obiron]

now that youve mentioned it i we have a good load of dandelions in the garden this year. only noticed cos i need to get cedric to cut the grass again.

[Geo]

I haven't noticed much diference in the garden but what is trying to take over is Ground Elder.

[JAWS]

Mine are thriving! What is so annoying is that cosset and care for your plants and you end up struggling to make them survive.
Then millions of dandelions appear from nowhere and, with no help at all, make a massive takeover bid!

It's just so unfair!

[Ann]

And what is wrong with dandelions?

They are beautiful flowers and if they hadn't been labelled weeds, we would be buying them for our gardens. They bring a bit of sunshine to our lives!

I love the daisies too and the poppies, bluebells, primroses etc., all growing wild and adding colour to the countryside.

[Ricco]

And what is wrong with dandelions?

They are beautiful flowers and if they hadn't been labelled weeds, we would be buying them for our gardens. They bring a bit of sunshine to our lives!

I love the daisies too and the poppies, bluebells, primroses etc., all growing wild and adding colour to the countryside.

Ann's right - it is these early native 'flowers' that provide that much needed energy boost for our butterflies and bees, especially bumblebees. I know they are not really desirable in the garden but they are OK in the countryside.

My thought is that they are not only bigger and more numerous but also earlier than normal. I was thinking that perhaps they are becoming resistant to weedkillers - plants do adapt as well. Any scientific thought amongst the orgers?