❊~Some See a weed, Others See A Wish~❊
Dandelion Stories
A collection of short stories about the dandelion flower.
Dandelion Recipes
Recipes that use dandelion roots, leaves or flowers.
Dandelion Benefits
The health benefits of dandelion for different ailments.
Dandelions: A Friend In Time Of Need
{Read PART ONE of this Article}
FLOWERS
It is better to harvest the blossoms in mid to late morning, after the dew has lifted and ahead of the hottest part of the day. The blooms stay closed under cloudy skies. As soon as rain looms, the heads will close. The blooms also shut during the night (or early evening) and open again once the plant senses the sun’s rays.
To collect the flowers, tug on the sepals (green leaves at bottom of blossom) and the blossoms will pop nicely off the stem, conserving you the trouble of removing stems later. Soak and wash these utilizing the same method as for the leaves.
DANDELION ROOTS
It is quite possible to savor Dandelion roots fresh or dried for use later. Well-tilled soil produces some of the greatest quality roots. The deeply seated root of this plant is slim and carrot-shaped, milky-white, twisted and brittle. Broken off fragments of the root left behind at harvest will reproduce and generate new plants.
The roots are least bitter in mid-summer when it is best to gather them. Prized roots can be found in shady locations with loose, moist soil. Roots are not as vigorous during frosty weather and shouldn't be gathered during that time. Nonetheless, it is not a concern to collect when the weather is damp. Lift continuously and with care making use of a long trowel or fork. If the roots are severed or broken during removal they will hemorrhage and you will lose the reward of their valuable juice.
If the Dandelion roots are too big, they can be segmented to 3-6 inch lengths or they may be dehydrated intact. These roots generally take about two weeks to dry. When dehydrated, the roots appear dark brown and shriveled with lengthwise lines that wrap around the diameter which may be decreased to 1/2 inch or smaller. Thoroughly dried out roots will be hard enough to break whenever bent, revealing a white interior. Store the dried out roots in a dry area in order to prevent mold and in a firmly covered container that will secure them from insects and vermin. They can keep for 1 season. {Read PART ONE of this Article}
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