The Surprising Reason Why You Shouldn't Mow Your Dandelions

person mowing their dandelion-filled yard — Getty Images

With summer in full swing, you’re probably looking at your yard and wondering what to do about all the dandelions that have popped up. Even though they’re pretty, you probably see dandelions as pesky weeds that are ruining your perfectly manicured lawn. But should you mow dandelions?

The most surprising reason not to mow your dandelions is based on the old myth that mowing them makes them grow back faster. While it may seem to be the case, it actually isn’t.

When you mow your dandelions, you only remove the flowers and some leaves. The majority of the plant, with its extensive root system, remains deep in the ground. The growth you see after mowing isn’t new plants growing from seed; it’s just the existing plant regrowing from its roots. That’s why dandelions seem to pop back up after a day or two. Any mowing you do is purely for aesthetic purposes, not weed control.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of not mowing your dandelions:

It Helps Protect Pollinators

After winter, dandelions are amongst the first wildflowers to bloom. In springtime, bees and other pollinators are hungry, and dandelions provide a crucial food source.

It Improves Soil Health

According to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, dandelions benefit soil health in several ways. They loosen up hard soil, promote aeration and their root systems can help reduce erosion and pull nutrients closer to the surface. This, in turn, helps other plants grow.

It Curtails the Spread of Dandelion Seeds

When you mow, you can spread dandelion seeds around your property and your neighbours’ too. The result? More dandelions! If you’re going to mow, make sure you bag up all the clippings right away. Another option is to snip off the seed heads and dispose of them with your yard waste. You should also do this whenever you see seed heads in your yard.

It Supports “No Mow May”

“No Mow May” is an initiative by the Nature Conservancy Of Canada that encourages people to delay mowing their yards in the spring. The goal is to let grasses and flowers grow, providing food and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

You might be surprised to know that dandelions are highly nutritious plants. They contain fibre, minerals and vitamins A, C, K and E. They also contain small amounts of some B vitamins. Dandelion greens can be eaten raw or cooked, and the roots can be used for tea. The flowers can be used for wine, soups and salads. A number of herbal remedies also use dandelion.

pulling dandelions with a special tool — Getty Images

We get it. You want to avoid dandelions taking over your whole yard. In that case, you have some options, but you should wait until after spring, which is the critical time for pollinators and has the most environmental benefit.

If you’re going to remove dandelions, the most effective way is to use a dandelion removal tool. These devices are easy to use and make quick work of pulling the dandelion and its roots out of the ground. You might consider using a DIY all-natural weed killer to finish off any roots left behind.

Another option is to use chemical weed killers or a dandelion bar that you drag over your dandelions. However, both of these solutions can be toxic to humans, pets, wildlife and other plants. If you go this route, use these weed killing solutions sparingly, read the warnings and always follow the directions.

In the end, most experts recommend using a combination of the above methods to control your dandelions. And if your yard includes just a few dandelions, then everyone wins!