Simple and fresh and fair from winter's close emerging, Forth from its sunny nook of shelter'd grass — Innocent, golden, calm as the dawn, The spring's first dandelion shows its trustful face. — Walt Whitman |
It won't be long before dandelions start poking their heads through the leaves, announcing the arrival of Spring.
I almost stepped on this one last Spring as I was on my way to photograph something else, but I happened to look down just in time.
As I knelt down to get a closer look through my camera lens, I was so glad I took the time to stop and capture the flower nestled in the grass and leaves.
I know dandelions are considered a weed and a nuisance by most gardeners, but, upon researching them, I found that they have redeeming qualities, and are actually a beneficial weed, with a wide range of uses.
A dandelion's ability to break up hard earth with its deep tap root, bringing up nutrients from below the reach of other plants, makes it a good companion for weaker or shallower-rooted crops. It is also known to attract bees, offering an important source of nectar early in the season.
Dandelion roots, leaves, and buds contain abundant amounts of vitamins and minerals and have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and medicinal teas. The USDA ranks dandelions among the top four green vegetables for their nutritive value. They are the third highest food source for Vitamin A, and contain twice as much Calcium as spinach.
They have been used to treat weight loss, cirrhosis of the liver, congestive heart failure, intestinal problems, liver spots, acne, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer.
So, the next time you pull up dandelions, remember that they aren't all bad. You might also keep in mind that the taproot runs deep (up to 10' long), and is twisted, and brittle. If you break off more pieces than you unearth, the pieces that remain in the ground will regenerate a new little patch of dandelions.
I hope this has inspired you to think of dandelions in a new light. I prefer to think of them as "messengers of Spring" ... and after the unusually harsh winter we've had here in Mississippi, we will welcome any sign that Spring is on the way.
