Dandelions are not so dandy!
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Tips for removing and managing these weeds on your property
This time of year, your lawn or garden might be filled with thriving grass, budding flowers, shrubs, trees and … weeds! Specifically, dandelions – the yellow-topped species that usually flowers for a few weeks every year in May and June. Even though they are not harmful to your lawn or garden, they can be an eyesore.
Follow these helpful tips from the City of Vaughan’s Parks, Forestry and Horticulture department to help you control dandelions on your property:
- Raise your lawnmower blades to a height of three to four inches (about 7.5 to 10 centimetres). Taller grass will provide shade and block weed seeds from the sun, preventing them from growing.
- Overseed your grass and top dress with compost. Overseeding is planting grass seed directly into the grass without tearing it up, ensuring weeds do not have room to grow roots. Top dressing applies compost without working it into your lawn, which adds nutrients to the soil to promote dense grass cover that can block weed seeds from growing.
- Aerate your lawn. This involves piercing the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. By increasing space within the soil, plant roots have more room to spread and grow, which helps crowd out weeds.
- Water deeply, but infrequently. Many types of weeds, including dandelions, thrive in drier soil. Grass requires about one inch (2.5 centimetres) of water per week during dry periods. Long, slow soakings get water lower into the soil, encouraging your plant roots to grow deep. Before watering, refer to information about outdoor water use restrictions and schedules.
- Consider some lawn alternatives where possible, such as groundcovers. Groundcovers are low-growing, spreading plants that help stop weeds from growing.
- Fertilize your lawn in the spring and fall. Healthy, thick lawns provide the shade necessary to prevent weed growth.
What the City is doing
To control dandelions in City parks, boulevards, sports fields and other green spaces, grass in these areas is cut regularly to keep dandelions at a minimum. Even with regular cuts, areas may appear unkempt as weeds grow faster than grass. To protect the environment, the City implemented a Pesticide By-law (PDF) to regulate the use of herbicides to control weeds, such as dandelions, on public and private property. For more information, visit the City’s dandelion webpage.
To control dandelions in City parks, boulevards, sports fields and other green spaces, grass in these areas is cut regularly to keep dandelions at a minimum. Even with regular cuts, areas may appear unkempt as weeds grow faster than grass. To protect the environment, the City implemented a Pesticide By-law (PDF) to regulate the use of herbicides to control weeds, such as dandelions, on public and private property. For more information, visit the City’s dandelion webpage.
To learn more about the City’s horticulture efforts this year, including the Beautification Strategy, which is currently being updated, visit vaughan.ca/horticulture.
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