Dandelions are a perennial that may be grown in USDA plant tolerance zones 3 – 10. Dandelions are a non-native, noxious weed that spreads rapidly through profuse self-seeding, but you can inhibit them from expanding by limiting their seeds.
Growing infant dandelion greens in pots and other containers, or at home, is quite simple. In addition, adult dandelion greens, which have a more pungent flavor than their younger counterparts, can be cultivated in containers if the container is deep enough to accommodate the long roots of fully developed dandelion plants.
Dandelion baby greens are tasty in salads and make a great addition to green smoothies. Cooking ripe dandelion greens eliminate some of the sourness. Dandelion leaves that have developed are similar to spinach in terms of preparation.
Follow along with this handy guide to learn how to grow dandelions from seeds indoors. But before then, here are some recommended gardening products.
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How To Grow Dandelion Indoors From Seeds
Follow the steps below to cultivate dandelion indoors from seeds:
Selecting and purchasing Dandelion seeds
If you live in the city, there is almost certainly a farm or garden full of wild dandelions around. Dandelion greens have medicinal benefits, and these nutritious greens are high in a variety of minerals.
Wild dandelion leaves can be picked at the baby leaf stage and eaten as food if the farm or garden where they grew was not near a highway and had not been handled with pesticides or other chemicals.
If you don’t have access to a dandelion area that hasn’t been contaminated by vehicle emissions or chemicals, you can grow dandelion young greens in pots. To prevent their spreading over your entire garden, it’s best to cultivate them in pots rather than straight in the ground.
Another advantage of growing dandelion baby greens in pots rather than selecting wild dandelion leaves is the ability to select a less sour species. The typical dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale subspecies Vulgare), which grows wild in fields and along roadways, is sour, whereas gourmet dandelion variants are milder.
The following are some of the most regularly farmed dandelion cultivars that you may obtain in seed catalogs:
- Amélioré à Coeur Plein: This cultivar produces a large crop without using up a lot of space, making it a great option for ‘container gardeners.’
- The Vert de Montmagny (or French Dandelion): This is an early maturing, fertile type with wide, dark green leaves and a moderate taste when compared to other kinds.
Sowing the Seeds
Fill a deep container or planter with organic all-purpose soil that has drainage holes. Distribute the seeds uniformly across the soil. If you want to grow dandelion baby greens (dandelion leaves plucked when they are still young) instead of full-grown greens, spread the seeds close together.
Alternatively, sow the seeds 2 to 3 inches apart. If you’re going to grow your dandelion greens indoors, don’t conceal the seeds with soil because dandelion seeds sprout best when they’re open to excessive light.
Light and Water Requirements
After that, put the container or pot in a bright spot. If you wish to cultivate your dandelion greens indoors, a south-facing windowsill or a shelving piece with grow lights function well.
Dandelions require a huge amount of water with much sunlight to yield a large crop, so make sure to irrigate the soil daily. Keep the soil damp but not soggy for the greatest outcomes.
Recommended: Learn About The Dandelion Growing Conditions
Harvesting the Dandelion
Most dandelion cultivars mature 85 to 95 days after planting under optimal conditions. You can harvest your crop considerably early if you’re cultivating young dandelion greens.
If you’re cultivating grown dandelion greens, remove them before the plant flowers, or the greens may turn sour. Covering or moving the pot into the shade a few days before harvesting can also help to lessen the sourness of mature leaves.
