When Is The Best Time To Spray Dandelions?

Do you know the best time to spray Dandelions so they don’t grow back? Dandelions are a common sight in many yards across the country. While the bright yellow flowers may be pretty to look at, these plants can quickly become a nuisance. In fact, there are times when they seem almost indestructible. This post will provide information about dandelions and tell you how to control them. It all starts by spraying them with herbicide at the right time.

When is the Best Time to Spray Dandelions?

Spraying dandelions with herbicides is best done during the Fall. This is the time of year when the plant is already sending nutrients to the root in preparation for winter. This means that the herbicide will be quickly transported to the underground parts of the plant, and death will follow within days.

You can spray in the Spring, but it is less effective as it does not always kill the root.

Read on for more details.

What Are Dandelions?

Dandelions are best known for their bright yellow flower heads and often show up in the springtime. They can grow in yards, on sidewalks, and even through cracks in concrete. The plant gets its name from the French word “dent de lion,” which means “lion’s tooth.” This is in reference to the jagged shape of the leaves. They originated in Europe and were brought over by European settlers who used them for food and medicine.

Many consider dandelions a weed because they can spread quickly and be challenging to get rid of. Each flower head can produce up to 180 seeds that can be carried by the wind to other areas. The plant also has a deep taproot that can make it hard to pull out of the ground. This root also allows the plants to compete successfully with grass for water and nutrients.

Dandelions are beautifully adapted to thrive in lawns. Their leaves are broad and radiate out in a rosette that lies flat along the ground. This means they don’t get cut even at relatively low mowing heights. If you have ever mowed grass containing dandelions, you know the flower stalks do not usually get cut. Instead, they bend over against the ground as you pass with the mower and bounce back about one hour later.

Dandelions produce a bitter white juice that deters insects and grazing animals. Although the flowers attract many pollinators, they do not need them to form seeds. This means the offsprings of dandelions are genetically identical to their parent plant.

How Do Dandelions Grow?

Dandelions grow in two main ways. The first is seed germination. Each plant produces hundreds of seeds, and they move with the wind to every corner of your garden. All it takes is contact with the soil and some warm moist weather.

You see the seedlings starting to form when the soil is moist and the temperatures start to rise. This happens mainly in the Spring, but you will see new seedlings popping up at any time during the growing season.

Once a seed germinates, it produces a small, low-growing rosette of leaves and pushes down a deep taproot. By the time you see spot it, the plant is already established.

Growing From The Roots

Cooler weather in the Fall triggers the Dandelions to send the nutrients from their leaves to the root. Their leaves will appear to die, and the plant becomes dormant. In the Spring, new plants will grow from buds growing the root section near the soil surface.

Dandelions can also grow from small pieces of taproot left behind when weeding. Even the smallest pieces of the root can send up new shoots. It is a very persistent weed.

Why Get Rid Of Dandelions?

Dandelions can grow anywhere. They sprout up between patio stones and grow in gravel driveways. Like most weeds, they quickly take over flower beds and lawns, crowding out everything else.

Dandelion’s texture and color in lawns vary from that of turfgrass, so they stick out like a sore thumb. While the yellow flowers bring a welcome pop of color in the Spring, the leaves and seed heads mat are not particularly attractive. They definitely reduce the aesthetic quality of your lawn.

In some places, dandelions are considered invasive weeds, and you may be fined for having them grow on your property. Primarily they will compete for water and nutrients and take both away from your garden plants.

When Is The Best Time to Spray Dandelions?

You might think that the best time of year to attack Dandelions is the springtime when you first see those yellow flowers on your lawn. However, this is not the best time of year to spray them.

It may seem counterintuitive, but the best time to spray Dandelions is early Fall, just as the plants are preparing to go dormant. The colder weather triggers Dandelions to send carbohydrates down to the root. Pesticides applied at this point will be absorbed by the leaves and sent straight to the root. This is their way of preparing for winter dormancy.

Your garden can be kept Dandelion-free with a single, well-timed application of these herbicides in the Fall. The other advantage of spraying at this point in the year is that the possibility of harming other plants is reduced.

You can try spraying in the Spring, but less of the herbicide will be absorbed by the plant and make it down to the taproot. It may look as if the herbicide is working as the leaves die, but dandelions can regrow from buds on the taproot if it is not ultimately killed.

One thing you can do in the Spring is to use a pre-emergent weed killer that will prevent the Dandelion seeds from germinating in the first place.

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How Do I Know When It Too Late To Spray Dandelions?

It is best to spray dandelions when the leaves are still alive and send sugars to the root. This is best done around the time of the first frost. Waiting until the end of Fall or during the winter is too late. At this time, the plants will have lost their leaves, and the herbicide will not kill the root.

In the early Spring, apply pre-emergent weed killer to prevent germination of the seeds. It is too late for preventative measures when you see the new Dandelion plants.

Spraying Dandelions FAQs

Should I Spray For Dandelions Before Or After I Mow?

Most herbicide manufacturers recommend applying herbicides before you mow. The herbicide is absorbed best through the leaves and moves down to the taproot. The more leaf surface there is, the better the herbicide will work. Although Dandelions leaves grow flat along the ground, you will still want to wait until after mowing to use the herbicide.

You will also want to delay mowing for at least two days after spraying. Just to give the herbicide time to work. Remember to follow all label directions to the letter. The label is the law!

Finding this post helpful? Read our guide on controlling crabgrass.

What Time Of Day Is Best To Spray Dandelions?

Many homeowners want to know the best time of day to spray dandelions. Systemic herbicides, which enter the plant and kill it from within, work best when applied at the peak plant growth times during the day.

These products also work best within specific temperature ranges, so check your label for details. Spraying when temperatures are too low may not be effective. Spraying when the temperatures are too high can damage the grass.

The best course of action is to wait until the daytime temperature is within the correct range before spraying.

As a general guide, if you live in a cooler climate, wait until the warmest point in the day before spraying. This is usually in the middle of the day and early afternoon.

If you live in a warmer climate, avoid spraying in the middle of the day. Aim to spray in the early morning or late afternoon

Should I Pull Dandelions Or Spray?

If you have just a few dandelions, you can try pulling them out by hand. You need to make sure that you get the entire taproot out of the ground, or it will just grow back.

If you prefer to pull Dandelions, read our reviews of the best weed pullers.

That being said, Dandelions have a very persistent taproot. Trying to pull the plants out may leave several pieces of root behind. Then you will end up with several plants instead of just one. It is best to spray them in the Fall with an herbicide to kill the root. If you want to see them gone for good, it is better to spray with a herbicide that will kill the root.

If you have many Dandelions, it is more efficient to spray, because pulling them out by hand will take all your time. Personally, I prefer to spend my time outside enjoying my flowers and the wildlife that visit our yard.

What Do I Spray On Dandelions?

Herbicides with 2,4-D are best for killing Dandelions. It is a systemic herbicide absorbed by the leaves and to the underground parts of the plant, causing death. It is a selective herbicide, which will kill the Dandelions but not your grass.

Safety first:

Make sure you read and follow all label directions before spraying any chemical on your lawn or garden.
You will need to wear safety glasses, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, closed shoes, and chemical-resistant gloves made of waterproof material.
Wash the clothes separately when you are done.
Store the chemical out of reach of children and pets.

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Final Thoughts

We hope this post helped you learn more about the best time to spray Dandelions. Now that you know more about dandelions and the best time to spray them, you can take steps to control them in your own yard. By following these tips, you can keep your yard Dandelion free all season long.