This is the time of the year when those cheery bursts of yellow flowers pop up just about everywhere. Dandelions are a common nemesis to gardeners and landscapers, which is why they’re known as the most hated weed. But as frustrating as they can be, these weeds play an essential role in our ecosystem and are a crucial food source for our bees and butterflies – critical pollinators that we can’t live without. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t mow dandelions.
They Help Feed the Bees
If you stop and take a closer look at the dandelions on your lawn, you might notice bees flocking towards them or nestled in those bright yellow petals. Bees love to feed off of dandelions. In fact, these popular weeds that sprout like wildfire in the spring are typically the first source of nectar for bees, which makes them essential for both pollinators and us. Bees contribute to every part of our ecosystem, and without them, we wouldn’t survive. So, if you have a few that pop up in your garden, especially around the springtime, leave them for a while and let the bees and butterflies take advantage.
Mowing is Only a Temporary Solution
Mowing away the dandelions might give you some instant relief when you can tidy up the look of your lawn, but doing this will only create a temporary solution from these persistent weeds. The lawnmower targets only the stem and petals, not the roots. So in a matter of days, your neatly and lush-looking lawn will start to blossom with new shoots of dandelions. And once they turn from yellow into those fluffy white puffballs, they’ll spread faster and more easily, leaving new seeds behind on your lawn.
Must Be Removed From the Root
One of the most effective ways to get rid of your dandelion problem is to pull them up by the roots. Although it’s more time-consuming and requires you to get down and hand dig them out, it will prevent them from growing back. When you’re pulling out the root, make sure you remove all of it. Any leftover bits will help the weed remerge. To make this process easier, give your lawn a good dose of water the day before you plan to pull up the weeds. This will help to loosen the soil and make it easier to remove them.
Consult a Professional
Don’t love the idea of pulling up weeds? Get a landscaping professional to do it for you. At Dependable Lawns, we are experts at lawn care and keep your lawn free from weeds. Whether you have a widespread dandelion problem or just a few, we have you covered.
Here are a few of the services we provide that will keep your lawn looking its best:
Spring Yard Clean Up – We’ll prep your lawn and gardens for the season, clean up and remove any dead debris.
Overseeding – We’ll fill in any bare patches and thicken the grass to create a dense and vibrant looking lawn.
Weekly Lawn Care – Ongoing lawn care and maintenance includes weed removal, mowing, fertilizing, irrigation, aeration, and thatch control.
Customized Lawn Repair – Honest and tailored services are based on your lawn and what it needs. We never cut corners.
When it comes to achieving a beautiful lawn, it can be tricky if you don’t have the time or energy to dedicate to it. Give us a call instead and our team will take care of your entire landscape so you can devote your time to what you enjoy doing.