{"id":12683,"date":"2019-05-09T12:49:24","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T16:49:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=12683"},"modified":"2019-05-09T12:49:25","modified_gmt":"2019-05-09T16:49:25","slug":"dont-ditch-the-dandelions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/dont-ditch-the-dandelions\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Ditch the Dandelions!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Before you mow them down or,\nworse, reach for the herbicide, you might want to consider giving the\ndandelions in your yard a second chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dandelions<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How They Got Here<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ubiquitous dandelions that pop up in our yards this time of year are actually native to Europe and Asia. They were brought here by European colonists who used them for medicine, food, and wine. The English name comes from the French “dent de lion” meaning “teeth of a lion” which refers to the jagged leaves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Useful Weed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people think of them as a\nnoxious weed but they are actually quite a useful plant. They flower earlier\nthan most of our native plants so they offer early pollen and nectar for\nhoneybees and native pollinators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are host plants for the\ncaterpillars of several moth species including the spectacular Giant Leopard\nMoth. Their long tap root helps to break up the soil and move nutrients and\nwater throughout the soil. And dandelion greens are delicious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dandelions<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Go Natural<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This year, help out our native\npollinators and be kind to Mother Earth by forgoing any herbicides and letting\ndandelions do their thing. Dandelions are an important food source for\nhoneybees and others throughout the spring and most herbicides are poisonous to\nthese insect pollinators. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Before you mow them down or, worse, reach for the herbicide, you might want to consider giving the dandelions in your yard a second chance. How They Got Here The ubiquitous dandelions that pop up in our yards this time of year are actually native to Europe and Asia. They were brought here by European […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":12705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[304,306,49,53,305,85,255],"class_list":["post-12683","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nature-notes","tag-dandelions","tag-environment","tag-flowers","tag-garden","tag-gardening","tag-plants","tag-pollinators"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/05\/DSC_0010.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3iz","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":17525,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/ditch-the-lawnmower-this-spring\/","url_meta":{"origin":12683,"position":0},"title":"Ditch the Lawnmower This Spring","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"May 4, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Studies show that letting grass grow longer increases the abundance and diversity of native insects, so a change in how we approach mowing helps our native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators get a good start to the season. Fostering early growth allows flowers to fully bloom, letting native plants like\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/0074_FarmTrekkers_074-1200x800-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/0074_FarmTrekkers_074-1200x800-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/0074_FarmTrekkers_074-1200x800-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/0074_FarmTrekkers_074-1200x800-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/0074_FarmTrekkers_074-1200x800-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":625,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/confessions-of-an-ex-lawn-mower\/","url_meta":{"origin":12683,"position":1},"title":"Confessions of an Ex-Lawn Mower","author":"Kristin S.","date":"September 4, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"I blame it on the butterflies. We used to dutifully mow our little lawn in a suburban neighborhood where neat, clean landscapes are highly valued. Then I fell in love with butterflies and everything changed. It started with the gorgeous orange and black butterflies that float in my butterfly garden\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Going Green"","block_context":{"text":"Going Green","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/going-green\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/08\/Kristin-FrontYard-EarlySpring-Small-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/08\/Kristin-FrontYard-EarlySpring-Small-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/08\/Kristin-FrontYard-EarlySpring-Small-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8753,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/5-tips-for-attracting-butterflies\/","url_meta":{"origin":12683,"position":2},"title":"5 Tips for Attracting Butterflies","author":"Hillary T.","date":"March 8, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Sure butterflies can be found frolicking in open meadows on warm, breezy summer days, but these exuberant and colorful insects can also be found in your own backyard\u2014if you play your cards right! What does it take to bring the flutter closer to home? Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary Conservation\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/03\/Common-wood-nymph-via-Rosemary-Mosco-at-Graves-Farm-640.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/03\/Common-wood-nymph-via-Rosemary-Mosco-at-Graves-Farm-640.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/03\/Common-wood-nymph-via-Rosemary-Mosco-at-Graves-Farm-640.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1115,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/before-you-pick-up-that-rake\/","url_meta":{"origin":12683,"position":3},"title":"Before You Pick Up That Rake","author":"Hillary T.","date":"October 23, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Oh, leaves. There\u2019s so much we love about you. The first sight of your flowers in the spring; the sound you make when you blow in the breeze during summer; your brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange come fall. And then you drop to the ground and become another\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/10\/iStock_learnl.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2392,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/we-heart-native-plants\/","url_meta":{"origin":12683,"position":4},"title":"We Heart Native Plants","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"June 13, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"There are many reasons you should include native plants into your landscape plans. 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That means after the first year of making sure they are well watered and have put\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Gardening"","block_context":{"text":"Gardening","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/gardening\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/06\/columbineusfws.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":288,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/dont-weed-the-milkweed\/","url_meta":{"origin":12683,"position":5},"title":"Don’t Weed the Milkweed!","author":"Kristin S.","date":"July 10, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"If a gardening catalog offered a plant that sported unique flowers, attracted butterflies, fed and protected the beloved monarch butterfly, provided nesting material for goldfinches and orioles, was easy to grow, and was native to our state, wouldn\u2019t we be eager to plant some in our gardens? So, what is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Gardening"","block_context":{"text":"Gardening","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/gardening\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/07\/commonmilkweedmonarch_cropped.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/07\/commonmilkweedmonarch_cropped.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/07\/commonmilkweedmonarch_cropped.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12683","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12683"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12683\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12706,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12683\/revisions\/12706"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12683"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12683"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12683"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}