Safe to Mow a yellow Dandelion

sl********@sy*******.ca – posted 12 May 2005 19:58

I have never really understood if it is safe (or not) to mow emerging dandelions at the ‘yellow’ stage…can the maturing seeds germinate from this life stage, or must they progress to the white-head stage first??

Thanks, Stephen

cohiba – posted 13 May 2005 07:23

The white-head stage is where the seed heads are located. Mowing when they are out spreads the seeds. So does the wind, rain, walking by, etc. Another big spreader of weed seeds are the landSCRAPERS that drive by with clippings in the trucks. That is why you are more apt to have higher populations near the edge of the yard and along the street. The key to successful dandelion control is to spray in October/November as the new crop emerges. This way you kill them before they get to the flowering/seed head stage. Once they reach seed head stage you are too late. Get them in fall and break the cycle!

I love dandelions……on my nieghbors lawn!

tallahassee lassie – posted 13 May 2005 12:43

At what time of year (in the south) should a person put down pre-emergent weed prevention? It seems impossible to actually break the dandelion cycle without enclosing your lawn in a plastic bubble.

K.

ted – posted 13 May 2005 15:36

just spray them with 24d. that way you won’t have to worry about it.