Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Cultivated dandelion (Taraxacum officinale, selected varieties) differs significantly from the lawn weed — improved varieties produce much larger, less bitter leaves and are grown deliberately as a salad and potherb crop in Europe. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in early spring or early fall in average, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5; dandelions tolerate a wide range of conditions but produce the largest, most tender leaves in fertile, moist soil. Thin seedlings to 8–12 inches apart. Water regularly to promote lush leaf growth — dry conditions intensify bitterness. Fertilize with high-nitrogen fertilizer to maximize leaf size and tenderness. For the mildest flavor, blanch: cover the center of the plant with an inverted pot or burlap for 1–2 weeks before harvest to exclude light, which reduces bitterness significantly. Leaves become more bitter as temperatures rise — grow as a cool-season crop for best eating quality.