Dandelion
What Is Dandelion?
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are perennial weeds with bright yellow flowers. They belong to the daisy family (Asteraceae) and originally come from Eurasia, but they’ve spread across the world. You’ll often find them in lawns, gardens, fields, and even cracks in the pavement. Dandelions are easy to recognise by their yellow flowers and fluffy white seed heads. Their deep taproots and ability to reproduce from both seeds and roots make them difficult to control.
Characteristics of Dandelion
-
Appearance: Dandelions grow as a basal rosette of lance-shaped leaves with jagged edges pointing towards the plant’s centre.
-
Leaves: The leaves have irregular lobes that vary in depth and size, and they can grow up to 45 cm long.
-
Flowers: Bright yellow flower heads consist of many tiny florets, giving them a composite appearance. Each stem produces one bloom.
-
Seed Heads: After flowering, dandelions produce fluffy white seed heads containing hundreds of parachute-like seeds that the wind disperses.
-
Taproot: The thick taproot can grow up to 15 cm deep, anchoring the plant firmly in the soil.
Why Is It A Problem?
Dandelions grow quickly and fight with grass and other plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Their seeds float on the wind, helping them spread fast over big areas. They have deep roots, and if even a small piece is left behind, the plant can grow back.
How They Affect the Environment
-
Seed Spread: Their light seeds travel far in the wind and quickly take over new areas.
-
Plant Competition: Dandelions push out native plants and grass, which lowers the variety of plants in the area.
Impact on Farms and Pastures
-
Crop Problems: Dandelions steal water and nutrients from crops, which can lower harvests.
-
Poorer Pasture: In paddocks, they take over good grass, making it harder for animals to find good food.
How to Identify Dandelion
You can identify dandelions by their bright yellow composite flower heads growing on hollow stems that exude milky sap when broken. Their jagged-edged leaves form a basal rosette at ground level. After flowering, fluffy white seed heads appear and disperse easily by wind.
Effective Methods
Yellow Flowering Weeds Management
Look After Your Lawn
Feed your lawn regularly, water it well but not too often, and mow at the right height. A thick, healthy lawn makes it hard for dandelions to grow.
If the soil is hard or packed down, aerate it to help water drain better and stop dandelions from spreading.
Remove Them by Hand
Pull out dandelions when the soil is wet (after rain works best). Use a weeding tool or your hands, and try to get the whole root so they don’t grow back.
Mow your lawn often to stop dandelions from flowering and spreading seeds—but mowing won’t kill the deep roots.
Use Weed Killers Carefully
Use selective herbicides with ingredients like 2,4-D or dicamba. These kill dandelions without hurting your grass. Spray during spring or autumn for best results.
For small patches, just spray the dandelions. This saves product and protects other plants.
Stop Them Coming Back
Pull out dandelions before they grow fluffy seed heads so they can’t spread.
Check your lawn regularly and remove new dandelions early before they take over.
Chemical Control Options
As mentioned before, you can use selective herbicides to manage this Yellow Flowering Weeds and other weed problems. Some good options include:
Yates Bindii & Clover Weeder Concentrate
Yates Bindii & Clover Weeder Concentrate is a selective weedkiller that targets a wide range of broadleaf weeds like bindii, clover, dandelions, cudweed, wireweed, capeweed, docks, and lamb’s tongue (plantain) in most lawn types (except buffalo grass). It uses two active ingredients to control these weeds effectively. Additionally, it comes in a simple-to-use bottle with a child-resistant cap and built-in measurer, making application easy and accurate. Moreover, one 500mL bottle covers over 330 square metres, providing a cost-effective solution to keep your lawn free of weeds.
Buffalo Pro Weed’N’Feed Hose on
Buffalo Pro Weed‘N’Feed Hose-On (2.4L) is a nutrient-rich treatment made to control bindii and other broadleaf weeds in buffalo grass without harming it. It targets common weeds like clover, dandelions, thistles, capeweed, cudweed, docks, lamb’s tongue (plantain), and wireweed, especially before they flower. As a result, you’ll see visible changes in just a few weeks. In addition, the formula contains nitrogen and iron to help your lawn grow strong roots and achieve a deep green colour. Furthermore, its easy hose-on application means no mixing required—just attach it to your hose and spray.
Yates Weedkiller For Lawns RTU
Yates Weedkiller for Lawns RTU
is a ready-to-use weedkiller that targets broadleaf weeds like bindii, clover, dandelions, capeweed, chickweed, cudweed, dock, fleabane, lamb’s tongue (plantain), wireweed, and creeping oxalis, without damaging your lawn. It’s perfect for use on lawns, turf, and pathways. Additionally, the spray bottle is easy to use—no mixing required. Moreover, the wetting agent helps the product cover the leaves better and work more effectively, so you can control weeds quickly and with minimal effort.
For more options to control Dandelions or other weeds, check out our Garden Weed Control Range.
Shop By Pest
Mosquito Traps
Health Solutions