When we went out to the lottie today, we saw this unlikely sight in a knot willow. Do you recognise it? Time for a closer look: If you still do not recognise it, here is an old posting of mine: https://www.gardenstew.com/threads/paardebloem.10033/#post-94747
Those Dandelions get everywhere don't they? It makes a nice cover for any bird that chooses to nest in the hollow of the willow.
They do indeed Eileen, just imagine a little dandelion floating along on his parachute and winding up in that crevice.
Chickens love dandelion blossoms. I gave a kid down the road a nickle to pick all the dandelion blooms in the barn lot and front yard (there were a lot of blooms, but the kid isn't the smartest bulb in the box) and then gave them to the hens. Happy hens, happy kid (?), and a yard free of yellow flowers, at least temporarily!
That's right Mart. That was a good way to get rid of the flowers. Around here, who doesn’t have them. I try and dig them out, but with my bees, I let them bloom. It is a good early Spring nectar source when there is not a lot else. The trick for me is to pluck all the spent heads before they turn into those parachute balls. Y’know Jane, I can remove them all I want, but there are thousands more in the area and I will get more blow-ins anyway. I used to worry about it but now I just keep my allotment more or less dandelion-free and wait for next years’ population.
They can really grow everywhere! They, and the wild roses, are the ones growing through new tarmac first. Then the rest of the strong growers follow suit. I like them, they're good for insects, and good for wine. I have not yet used them for spring greens but I know I can.
