[GrowinGrowinGone]

I have just taken on another plot with a friend, it's not been touched in years and it's full of loads of weeds and grass etc.  My main concern to begin with is the Dandelions.  I don't have the time or the energy to dig them all out as it would take forever.
I'm thinking cardboard over the top of them, and just cutting holes through the cardboard to plant in the soil for the first year.  Maybe as I get the time I will dig areas over as and when to remove any remaining weeds that may survive.   Has anyone ever tried smothering them/mulching them out with any success?

[diospyros]

Yeah I would go mulch, cardboard, smother.  I've got a fair few dandelions coming up on mine at the moment, which have been buried under several inches of leaves and/or soil.  I keep finding little tufts of desperate leaves poking up, and putting a trowel down and pulling I generally get up what looks remarkably like forced chicory shoots.  i haven't actually tried bringing any home to eat, but I could.  They are beautifully blanched.  Anyway the roots usually come up, but if they don't hey, it must be weakening them.

[GrowinGrowinGone]

Thanks for the reply.  I have heard of people eating them, but It has never appealed to me I must say 
If anyone wants to harvest a plot full, give me a shout! 
I am going to try the method I mentioned and hope for the best.  Taking on a plot that's not been touched for years can be very difficult to begin with, I don't want spend all my time digging and weeding it from the off.  If I can keep the weeds down, and tackle a bit at a time that will be ideal.

[Trillium]

Dandelions draw up a lot of valuable nutrients from the soil as well as calcium which is ideal for toms, so you don't really want to dig them out as such. By mulching with cardboard you let them rot in place and your veg can draw the nutrients from those roots.

Dandelion roots can be washed and dried, then ground up to be mixed with coffee to stretch out pricey coffee, just like chicory was used back in the 80's. 

[Yorkie]

Anyone trying them out edibly should also be aware that they are diuretic ...

[JayG]

Apparently the leaves are delicious raw or cooked, but only before they flower (or a dog pees on them.)

[diospyros]

I have also made dandelion wine from the flowers, so you could wait until then before you put the cardboard down.

[GrowinGrowinGone]

Thanks for more replies.

I have no desire to harvest or use the dandelions for anything, I just want them gone lol.