I love dandelions! I pull some out in my flowerbeds, but otherwise they are allowed to grow and cheer up our lawn through the summer. Over they years we've been fascinated at how they change over the season - sometimes staying low to the ground, and sometimes stretching tall. I've not eaten them, but am going to try making ink from them this summer.
At our old house I had a patch of thistles and blackberries in one back corner along the fence, and they were impossible to keep up with so kept returning every year. I just did what I could to keep them confined to that one area. The birds loved it. I suspect the people who bought our house aren't as into gardening as I was, so I wonder what it looks like now?
I am also a dandelion farmer, although I do it on the down low because the neighbors would revolt if they knew that what appears to be benign neglect and inattention is active cultivation and encouragement. They are such a low-maintenance, forgiving, and amiable, if invasive, life-form. I've admired their resilience since I was very young because my grandfather would pay us a bounty of nickel each for every dandelion (with roots attached) we pulled whenever we drove up to visit from Missoula. No matter how many I harvested, I could count on a thriving and profitable crop every time we returned.
I love dandelions! I pull some out in my flowerbeds, but otherwise they are allowed to grow and cheer up our lawn through the summer. Over they years we've been fascinated at how they change over the season - sometimes staying low to the ground, and sometimes stretching tall. I've not eaten them, but am going to try making ink from them this summer.
At our old house I had a patch of thistles and blackberries in one back corner along the fence, and they were impossible to keep up with so kept returning every year. I just did what I could to keep them confined to that one area. The birds loved it. I suspect the people who bought our house aren't as into gardening as I was, so I wonder what it looks like now?
I've always felt the same way about dandelions. They're gorgeous.
Loving your sociological analogies and goat lawn mowing!
I am also a dandelion farmer, although I do it on the down low because the neighbors would revolt if they knew that what appears to be benign neglect and inattention is active cultivation and encouragement. They are such a low-maintenance, forgiving, and amiable, if invasive, life-form. I've admired their resilience since I was very young because my grandfather would pay us a bounty of nickel each for every dandelion (with roots attached) we pulled whenever we drove up to visit from Missoula. No matter how many I harvested, I could count on a thriving and profitable crop every time we returned.