[Spana]

I want to turn a patch of my veg garden over to  Dandelion growing. You'd think it would be easy but I'm finding it difficult.  Ive tried collecting  my own seed in past years but its never  been very successful so if anyone has any advice I'd be really grateful
I've done a search and its looks like there are lots of people  looking for plants, seed or advice on growing them so perhaps its not as easy as I at first thought it would be

Is there a special type that gives nice big soft leaves or will the wild one grow bigger given better conditions.

Should the seed be collected and saved for spring sowing or sown after collecting.

Anyone have any germination tips.

Its for tortoise food.  Dandelions start growing early in the year and are at their best  when tortoises come out of hibernation and its excellent food for them. I reseeded their enclosure with clover 2years ago and that has established well, wish i could do the same  with dandelions.

I bet you've all got gardens covered in them

[Y.E.A.H]

I bet you've all got gardens covered in them

you bet 

[Spana]

I've just seen all the posts in chatting on the plot

[HugglescoteGrower]

I can supply dandelion plants if you want some, £1 each or six for a fiver, plus p+p. Alternatively you can come to my plot and "pick your own" for 50p each.

Discounts for quantities over 1,000

 

[Spana]

 

You might have the start of a new business there.  Would you believe there are people out there looking to buy plants

[RichardA]

A lot of years ago now I grew salad dandelions. The seed was from Suttons I think and advertised in the herb part of their catalogue. Many years ago though.
Have you tried just lifting some plants with a good big "rootball" (dig deep as well as wide) and transplanting them .
My tortoise loved them
R

[fletch]

It might be stating the obvious, but couldn't you just collect a load of dandelion clocks and scatter the seeds on a seed tray of damp compost?
They grow like billy-o everywhere else so I don't see why it wouldn't work.

[scabs]

Don't forget to use the flowerheads for wine and the roots as a coffee substitute.

[RichardA]

Goggled dandelion seds and this came up as a source of salad dandelion leaves
http://www.greenchronicle.co.uk/acatalog/Dandelion.html#a146
hope it helps
R

[Spana]

Thanks Richard , i had seen that site but thought they were just the same as the seed I can collect myself.   

Fletch thats what i've been trying to do for years but cant get them to germinate .
Does anyone know if this years seed heads will germinate this year or does it need to lay in the ground until next spring. Perhaps I've given up on them too soon.

[Babstreefern]

Why not hire your tortoise to us, I would love a herd of them to eat my dandelions

[andy135]

Thanks Richard , i had seen that site but thought they were just the same as the seed I can collect myself.   

Fletch thats what i've been trying to do for years but cant get them to germinate .
Does anyone know if this years seed heads will germinate this year or does it need to lay in the ground until next spring. Perhaps I've given up on them too soon.

They seem to thrive on low quality soil/dirt. Maybe seed or potting compost is too rich for them. 

[digalotty]

yep dodo soil , im not sure weather im fighting em off or cultivating em