[desertpenguin]

i don't think anyone here in our neighborhood treats their lawn with chemicals. there's all kinds of stuff growing in the yards that isn't grass, including a lot of dandelions. so how does one go about harvesting dandelions? is there a best time to harvest the roots? and the greens?

 

[Owen'nZoe]

I only harvest the leaves, but the best time is anytime before they start to flower. After that, they get much more bitter and tough.

 

[FrannieP]

The young leaves are tastiest for eating.
I use the bigger leaves for drying for tea.
Roots are harvested in the Autumn when the flowers have died back.
make sure you are picking danddelion and not chicory (unless you want to!)
Dandelion has smooth ridged leaves and the flower stems are large and hollow.
fp
Edited to add: Try to harvest in a place where the plants haven't been peed on by neighborhood doggies!

 

[Jojo F.]

Heh, I was excited to see a good amount of dandelions in our new yard!!

 

[desertpenguin]

thanks y'all!

 

[tinuviel_k]

The best time to harvest roots is in the fall. The roots are especially high in inulin in the fall, and this makes them much sweeter. Just dig them, rinse, and lay out on to a screen to dry. Then you and grind them, roast, and make a delicious dandelion root tea.