As most of you probably know, you don’t exactly need a green thumb to grow dandelions—they pretty much find you! This hardy little wildflower pops up everywhere, from forest edges and meadows to sidewalk cracks and, of course, right in the middle of our lawns. But if you’re looking to tap into the amazing health benefits of this medicinal herb, timing is everything.
When to Harvest Different Parts of the Dandelion
Dandelions have a surprisingly long growing season. They usually start peeking out in March and stick around well into the fall, giving you plenty of time to get out there and start foraging.
However, the “perfect” time to harvest depends on which part of the plant you’re after. If you want the tastiest, most tender leaves, aim for April and May. This is when those jagged greens are packed with the most nutrients. For the bright yellow flowers, you have two windows: the main bloom between April and June, and often a second smaller bloom in August or September.
Quick tip: If you’re interested in harvesting the roots, early spring or early fall are your best bets. Just keep in mind that as the season goes on, dandelions get significantly more bitter as their concentration of bitter compounds increases.
How to Harvest Your Dandelions
Picking young leaves is a breeze—you can just pinch them right off the plant. The roots, however, are a bit more of a workout! Unless you have super loose, sandy soil, you probably won’t be able to pull that long taproot out by hand. You’ll want to grab a spade or a garden fork to dig them up properly.
When it comes to the blossoms, try to pick them in the morning right after they’ve fully opened. You can just pop them off with your fingers or use a sharp pair of garden snips. One little secret: work fast! You’ll want to process or use the flowers quickly, otherwise, they tend to close back up on you.
Protecting Sensitive Skin
A quick heads-up for my friends with allergies or sensitive skin: you might want to wear gloves while you’re foraging. The hollow stems contain a milky sap (latex) that can cause itchy skin irritation if you’re handling a lot of dandelions at once. Better safe than sorry!
