Dandelions are the bane of the lawn enthusiasts existence. The beautiful green suburban pastures ruined with these hard to get rid of weeds. But are they really so bad? Or are they even good to have around? Here are a just few reasons why they are actually a good thing for your Garden and the critters that live in it.
Good for the Pollinators
During the early spring many of the pollinators favourite plants are still just getting started for the year. Dandelions however have usually made an appearance and provide much needed food and energy for emerging beneficial insects. One common and important one are Bumble Bee Queens who are out in often cool mornings looking to establish a nest. Dandelions can literally be the difference for the struggling Queens survival.
Helping Garden Predators
Wasps might not be as kindly looked on by people as bees are. They are more fearsome looking than a fuzzy Bumblebee and lets face it, they are a bit pushy when you are enjoying a meal outside, especially the Yellowjacket varsity. But these insects are immensely important for a healthy garden as they are top predators keeping insects who harm plants under control. While adult wasps feed primarily on carbohydrates, they do prey on other insects to feed their growing young. For many wasp, just as bees, Dandelions are an important food source when other sources are not available.
They are Actually Nice to Look At
We are mostly taught to hate weeds, but this has always perplexed me. The flowering Dandelions look very striking and can be a great addition to your garden. On top of that they do not require any maintenance, watering, or fertilizer. They are drought resistant, hardy and can grow almost anywhere. I am not suggesting turning your lawn into a sea of Dandelions but just consider if you need to remove them everywhere. There are many places in the yard where they make great bright yellow additions to the yard and many beneficial critters that will appreciate it.
There are many reasons to like Dandelions and these are just a few. These plants are certainly helpful to people and much healthier to your yard than you might think. The Bee has come a long way in peoples appreciation. Maybe some of the less liked insects and plants will make there way there too.
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