Wild dandelion greens may have a bitter taste, while cultivated dandelion greens will not be as bitter.
For example, you could go outside at 8 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm and note where the sun is at by placing a few rocks on the edges of where the sun is shining. If you will mainly be using dandelions for their leaves, then growing them in partial shade is a better option. This will help to reduce the bitterness of the leaves and the number of flowers it produces. [3] X Research source
Leave the seeds uncovered if you are planting indoors. You will not need to worry about the seeds getting blown out. Dandelions do best in a shallow bed. Do not plant your dandelions in an area with poor drainage or a tightly packed soil, such as clay. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil before you plant if it is tightly packed. Use a loosely packed potting soil with added compost as the growing medium.
You can harvest the dandelion greens when they are small for the mildest flavor, or wait until they are larger if you prefer a bitter flavor.
You can cut the flower from the stem after harvesting and discard the stems.
You may be able to pull up younger dandelion roots without digging since they tend to be shallower than mature ones. Dandelions are perennials in most climates. Leave the plant in place if you want to have it come back every year.
Try sautéing dandelion greens with onions and garlic and a little bit of olive oil for a healthy veggie side dish. [10] X Research source
You can also fry dandelion flowers for a tasty snack!
To make a cup of dandelion tea, place 1 teaspoon of the dried root pieces into 1 cup (240 mL) of boiling water and let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain the tea and enjoy once it is cool enough to drink!
