Dandelion [Taraxacum officinale]

The dandelion is a very old perennial, versatile and edible wild salad and medicinal plant that originally comes from western Asia and Europe. Thanks to human intervention, it is now widespread in the northern hemisphere. For centuries, people have been using the diuretic and bilious medicinal plant in the kitchen and for folk medicinal purposes, such as detoxification. In addition to the bitter taste of the leaves, it has a white bitter milky sap in the stem. It forms deeply cut leaves that can be tied together in spring for bleaching, which then taste much more delicate and milder. The flowers make delicious honey or roots can be roasted like coffee.

General information
Plant family: Asteraceae
Life Cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 70 days
Plant height approx.: 40 cm
Root Type: Deep Root
Nutrient requirements: Weak Eaters
Water Requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to-15 °C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Floor: Pervious, moist, loamy, Humos

PH: 5.5 to 7.5

Sowing and planting information
Germ Type: Light germ
Seed Depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 16-20 °C
Germination time: 7-14 days
Planting, row spacing: 10x20 cm

Optimal mixed culture: Grass
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Sow directly outdoors from January to August. We recommend pre-culture in small pots from January to August.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Sow directly outdoors from April. We recommend pre-culture in small pots from March to June.

General
Sow seeds scattered in the open ground. When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible dandelion leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Dandelions prefer a sunny to partially shaded location with moist, well-drained humus and loamy soil. Prepare the soil for the herb with seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
Spread occurs via seeds.

Care Plants
Beds prepared with animal manure and planting in mixed culture replace additional fertilizer.

Germination ability of seeds: 9-10 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Taraxacum officinale
English Names: Dandelion
German names: Löwenzahn
Portuguese names: Dente de leão
Spanish Names: Diente de león
French names: Pissenlit