My grass patch (I hesitate to call it a lawn ) is covered
this year with dandelions, which seem to have bedded themselves
down into the turf t below the level of the grass. This means
that they survive the fairly high mowing that I do at this time
of the year, although I do get the flowers mostly.

Anyone come across this, and apart from digging them out or
weed killers how can I stop it? I do not mind a few in amongst
all the other weeds and the occasional grass, but this year
they seem to have gone mad!


--
Roger T

700 ft up in Mid-Wales

"Roger Tonkin" wrote

My grass patch (I hesitate to call it a lawn ) is covered
this year with dandelions, which seem to have bedded themselves
down into the turf t below the level of the grass. This means
that they survive the fairly high mowing that I do at this time
of the year, although I do get the flowers mostly.

Anyone come across this, and apart from digging them out or
weed killers how can I stop it? I do not mind a few in amongst
all the other weeds and the occasional grass, but this year
they seem to have gone mad!


I use an old large screwdriver with the blade sharpened and push that down
to cut the roots well down so I can pull the whole plant up. That way no
disturbance to the grass except improved airation.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

In article ,
says...

My grass patch (I hesitate to call it a lawn ) is covered
this year with dandelions, which seem to have bedded themselves
down into the turf t below the level of the grass. This means
that they survive the fairly high mowing that I do at this time
of the year, although I do get the flowers mostly.

Anyone come across this, and apart from digging them out or
weed killers how can I stop it? I do not mind a few in amongst
all the other weeds and the occasional grass, but this year
they seem to have gone mad!

There's no such thing as "a few " dandelions. It's war. If you let
one root produce its muti seedheads, it will father a zillion others,
and the flattened rosettes of leaves easily shade out mown grass.

I use an old bread knife to slice through the taproot at least an inch
down. Then lift out the whole crown and bin it. If you leave it lying
around , buds and the yellow flowers can still seed.

I've just been out doing that job this morning.Last year I finally
eliminated them from the lawns but the grassy drive still needs
dedandelioning

Janet

On 27/04/2015 08:36, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Roger Tonkin" wrote

My grass patch (I hesitate to call it a lawn ) is covered
this year with dandelions, which seem to have bedded themselves
down into the turf t below the level of the grass. This means
that they survive the fairly high mowing that I do at this time
of the year, although I do get the flowers mostly.

Anyone come across this, and apart from digging them out or
weed killers how can I stop it? I do not mind a few in amongst
all the other weeds and the occasional grass, but this year
they seem to have gone mad!


I use an old large screwdriver with the blade sharpened and push that
down to cut the roots well down so I can pull the whole plant up. That
way no disturbance to the grass except improved airation.

A 10 or 12" flat head screwdriver is perfect for this and the thick tap
root snaps with a satisfying crack when you ever it out. It is a mark of
honour to get as long a piece as possible out with the rossette.

A few are easily done in with a spot weeder. A lawn full of the things
then you may as well use weed and feed treatment against all invaders.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

"Roger Tonkin" wrote in message
...
My grass patch (I hesitate to call it a lawn ) is covered
this year with dandelions, which seem to have bedded themselves
down into the turf t below the level of the grass. This means
that they survive the fairly high mowing that I do at this time
of the year, although I do get the flowers mostly.

Anyone come across this, and apart from digging them out or
weed killers how can I stop it? I do not mind a few in amongst
all the other weeds and the occasional grass, but this year
they seem to have gone mad!

I had this over 6 years ago.
The bloke next door said to poke a hole in the heart (middle) of the
Dandelion and pour some salt in. I did this and it worked a treat.
I've not had any Dandelions since.
Cheap and quick.