Got dandelions? If you have a yard of any size, you probably do! These weeds pop up everywhere in the spring and early summer, with bright yellow flowers carpeting lawns across the country. Native to Europe and Asia, the leaves, flowers, and roots of these plants have been used medicinally since ancient times to make tonics, teas, wine, and salad. But if you're not a fan, this guide explains how to get rid of dandelions for good.
If you love the look of a manicured lawn, you probably also know that dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) can take it over in a hurry. “They're perennial broadleaf weeds that can live for years,” says Clint Waltz, Ph.D., turfgrass extension specialist at the University of Georgia. “If you do nothing, you'll definitely have more dandelions next year because their numerous seeds are dispersed by the wind.”
This means that even if you treat your lawn—but a neighbor a few doors down doesn't—the seeds of dandelions can float on the wind and end up in your yard, Waltz says. In fact, dandelion seeds can travel for miles. Each plant produces nearly 100 seed heads, so they can proliferate profusely! Dandelion seeds also can lie dormant for years.
While you'll see most of them blooming in spring and summer, dandelions flower year-round in temperate parts of the country. The seeds can germinate throughout the growing season in moist soil when soil temperatures are at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Ready to rid your lawn of them once and for all? Read on to learn how to get rid of dandelions for good.
How to Get Rid of Dandelions
One of the most important things you can do in learning how to get rid of dandelions (or any weed!) is to make sure your lawn is healthy and thick, Waltz says. To ensure your grass is lush and beautiful, you can follow these pointers:
- Don't mow too short. That allows weeds to pop up in low, thin, scalped areas where you may see a lot of other lawn problems. Each type of grass has an ideal mowing height; if you're not sure what kind of grass you have, check with your local university extension co-op service (find yours here) to help you ID what's growing in your yard.
- Water correctly. Irrigate deeply and infrequently to encourage deep roots, which are better able to withstand environmental stressors like heat and drought. Also, finish watering by 10 a.m. to minimize evaporation.
- Reseed or patch holes in your lawn at the proper time of year for the type of grass you have. Depending on your local climate, you may need to do this in the warm season vs. the cool season.
How to Get Rid of Dandelions by Hand
If it's early in the season and the weeds are small, or if you see only a few dandelions here and there, you can pull them by hand, Waltz says. They have a sturdy tap root, and you need to get every single bit of it. If you leave a fragment behind, it can regrow.
It's easy to remove dandelions by hand from sandy or loamy soils; it's much tougher to remove them from clay, and you'll be more likely to leave behind parts of roots that will regenerate. It's also better to attempt removal when the soil is moist, not bone-dry, so plan to do it after it rains. Otherwise, irrigate the area before attempting to weed them.
A dandelion's tap root ranges from 6–18 inches long, and the bigger the plant, the bigger (and deeper!) the root. As you're learning how to get rid of dandelions, it's best to use a weeding fork or any tool that's designed to pop the dandelion right out without making a huge hole in the ground. For this reason, hand-digging may not be the best solution if the dandelions are clustering in the middle of your lawn—it would require you to take out a big chunk of the surrounding turf.
How to Get Rid of Dandelions With Herbicide
The good news is that dandelions are very easy to control with herbicides, Waltz says. He advises using a product labeled three-way, which will contain active ingredients that have a synergistic effect. Once you spray this product on the problem area, the dandelions will absorb the chemical so the plants and their roots will be killed.
You can apply three-way products anytime during the growing season. These herbicides can be found in granular form, in a concentrate you mix with water to spray on (sometimes attaching it to your hose), or in a ready-to-use spray bottle. They're all effective.
When you're learning how to get rid of dandelions with herbicide, make sure to get the dandelion wet, but don't go overboard. “Let the product do the work, don't drown the plant,” Waltz says. Always follow the label directions for use.
You'll usually see twisting and curling of the plant within 24 hours, but be patient: The entire plant should be dead within a week or so. For older and hardier dandelion patches, you may have to spray a second application about a month later, Waltz says.
These herbicides are selective, so they will not harm your grass. However, some types of grass—such as centipede and St. Augustine—may be vulnerable during their transition from winter to spring when they're in active growth, Waltz says. This is yet another reason you should know what kind of grass you have and why you should always read the label.
Also note that pre-emergent products, which are used to prevent crabgrass and other weeds, are unfortunately not effective against dandelions, Waltz says.
Can You Get Rid of Dandelions With Vinegar?
Not exactly. No matter what you've seen or heard about the miraculous powers of vinegar, it's not an effective method for knowing how to get rid of dandelions. For starters, vinegar works via the contact method—it only affects the plant tissue it touches but does not move systemically through the plant, Waltz says.
After spraying a dandelion with a DIY vinegar mixture, the plant’s leaves may curl and wilt, but the vinegar won't penetrate the soil and roots. This means most weeds will be back up in 10–14 days, Waltz says.
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