Removing dandelions from lawn - best method

[RicksAlfas]

Anyone have any hints and tips for removing dandelions from a lawn?
What's the best technique for getting rid of the stubborn beasts?

[ChocolateFrog]

Someone suggested a tool to me which works well on individual plants.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spear-Jackson-Elements-Da...

[Hobo]

Just use this... https://www.amenity.co.uk/products/icl-sportsmaste...

I used to use it at a cricket ground I looked after for a while, and did the whole outfield with it. I now use it at home as still have a few bags.

[RicksAlfas]

ChocolateFrog said:

Someone suggested a tool to me which works well on individual plants.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spear-Jackson-Elements-Da...

Did you write this review?

"Slipping it at an angle under the weed and turf then pressing down causes the surface under the weed to lift and separate like a well filled playtex allowing you to tease the weed free"

[thepritch]

A somewhat left field approach would be to find a family of deer.

They tend to clear our grass of daisies and dandelions quite nicely. The downside is they don’t stop there and move their attention to many other plants we’d quite like to keep!

[Gary C]

Anyone tried those FIskars weed pullers ?

Are the prongs deep enough to get at all of a DL root ?

[droopsnoot]

^ I've tried a general weed puller that I found in the greenhouse, and tried to remove dandelions from borders without a great deal of success. Usually I can't get deep enough and end up just breaking the main root off, so it'll probably be back at some point. I haven't tried it in the lawn because of the damage it'll cause.

[The Gauge]

We are conditioned to hate dandelions (lions teeth) aren't we, but they are a fantastic and much needed early flower for bees. I tend to pick them if they appear in my lawn, but leave them elsewhere. Despite being a weed the flowers are actually very nice.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

I use an old kitchen knife - like the review description above, slide it in at an angle but deep to cut the root a few inches down and just pull the plant out. Seems to work.

[_Hoppers]

Gary C said:

Anyone tried those FIskars weed pullers ?

Are the prongs deep enough to get at all of a DL root ?

My Mum has one of these and it works for her. For a chemical treatment try Weedol Lawn Weedkiller.

[Some Gump]

I tried using the "dig each one out by hand" method, but it's a mega pain in the arse and doesn't work well - some just come right back.

Now just use the "dilute yourself" stuff and a sprayer, dead easy, works really well.

https://www.lawnsmith.co.uk/weedol-verdone-lawn-we...

[Electronicpants]

This is the most satisfying tool you'll ever buy....

https://www.homebase.co.uk/spear-jackson-weed-pull...

[Simpo Two]

I use a spot weedkiller if there are lots, or a long thin trowelly-thing to dig them out if the are few.

Catch them before they seed!

[RicksAlfas]

Thanks everyone. I had a satisfying session last night digging them out with a tool.
This morning my knees and back ache, but my lawn looks better!

[RedAndy]

gunieapigs'll shift em in seconds.

[AdamV12V]

Just pick the leaves and put them in a salad! Yummy!

That way you'll never get to seeing flowers in the lawn anyway and will save you a small fortune on bags of salad leaves at the supermarket.

[droopsnoot]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

I use an old kitchen knife - like the review description above, slide it in at an angle but deep to cut the root a few inches down and just pull the plant out. Seems to work.

Oh, is that effective? I thought that if I don't get the entire root out, it'd just start coming back again.

[Monkeylegend]

RedAndy said:

gunieapigs'll shift em in seconds.

I was just about to say that.

We had three at one stage and they just loved them. We had a run for them so we moved it around each day to where the dandelions were.

Worked a treat.

Now the GP's are gone I just dig them out individually by the roots and it is easy to keep on top of them once you have cleared them initially on masse.

[RGG]

AdamV12V said:

Just pick the leaves and put them in a salad! Yummy!

That way you'll never get to seeing flowers in the lawn anyway and will save you a small fortune on bags of salad leaves at the supermarket.

Google - Pissenlit - Before you try that.

Or feed to a friend first.

[richhead]

i know they dont add to a perfect lawn, but try and leave some somewhere, this time of year they are great for bees, remember no bees no plants...