No Mow May | 5 Reasons to Grow Dandelions

No Mow May | 5 Reasons to grow dandelions

*Disclaimer* As an Amazon associate I earn commission on qualifying purchases through affiliate links on this site.

No Mow May could become a dandy month where I live in Minnesota. 5 reasons to grow dandelions

Where do Dandelions grow?

Dandelions are hardy in zones 3-9 (see hardiness zone map) but can be grown in zones 10-11 in your garden if they can get shade all afternoon. Check your area map if outside of the United States.

Has your local zone-related community joined the no-mow May campaign to help secure our pollinator’s futures? You will have or will see a local news broadcast if this is happening in your area.

Why The Month of May?

The first flowers of spring are crucial in our Northern States

You may look at the Dandelion as a pesky weed that needs to be exterminated from your yard but it is a flower and more than that to bees and other insects that pollinate our world to keep it alive. Let’s look at the Dandelion.

4 reasons to let Dandelions Be

1. They improve the health of your lawn. Yup. The Dandelion will aerate the soil with its tough roots that spread far and wide. Did you know these roots will also pull nutrients from deep down within and make them available to other plants? Such a wonderful helper! 
2. An ancient herbal remedy. Dandelion has been used since ancient times to detox the liver and aid the digestion system. Try some Dandelion tea. It is wonderful as a health tonic!
3. More nutrition than most vegetables. Full of vitamins A and C, with calcium, iron, and potassium. 
4. Short Growing season. The best reason to leave them alone is they only grow for one short month on average, yet that is all it takes to keep our bees and other pollinators in food until other flowers and plants begin to bloom.
5. They are one of the first food sources for our bee population when they emerge from their rest. This should be the number one reason because no bees= no food for us!

   

    Now Mow May Dandelion Tea

Freshly picked Dandelion flowers (yellow) about 5

2 Tablespoons of your favorite sweetener

2 cups boiling water

Remove the yellow flowers from the stems and place them in a colander. Rinse them well to remove any dirt and other unwanted items. Place the petals into a mason jar and pour the boiling hot water over them. Add your desired sweetener and stir. Let steep 5-10 min. You may add 2 Tablespoons lime or lemon juice if desired.

Compost the greens or make yourself a salad. The whole plant can be utilized. God created a wonderful little plant, didn’t He?

Have you read save the Bees? Without bees, we would be in big trouble! The following book is recommended to teach our youngsters how important bees and other pollinators are to our environment and food supply!

Where I live, May is the beginning of a new season. The birds begin to return and most eagerly inspect their flower beds for emerging shoots of new life. This year I am sowing seeds of pollinator favorites to attract more bees and hummingbirds into my yard.

The summer months come and go so quickly in Northern Minnesota! I spend as much time outdoors as possible to enjoy the beauty our Lord created. Some people go their whole lives never really appreciating the small things. Take time to enjoy the finer things of life, which is nature!

;