I Just Planted Dandelions

Created on 4/5/2009

One spring break when the family was traveling in Greece I happened upon a site that surprised me. We were about ready to enter a small pottery shop in Corinth when I caught a glimpse of the shop owner carrying a basket of greens. We entered through the door at the same time and I was amazed to see what he had gathered. His basket was filled with dandelion greens. The large, jagged, ‘tooth of the lion’ leaves were hard to mistake. I imagine on his noon walk through the countryside he had collected his lunch. Free greens gathered with a keen eye.

Today, I planted some cool season greens. I planted dandelion seeds. Can you believe it? The dandelions I planted are not exactly the same as the ones I will have in my front yard in a few weeks. (Although, the ubiquitous weed is also edible, if you haven’t sprayed it.) This is a cultivated French variety called ‘Ameliore’, which means improved.

I also planted Italian arugula, one of my favorite spring greens. I am planting a variety of mustards this year. ‘Osaka Purple’ is ornamental and delicious in salads or on sandwiches. The leaves are large and dark red. ‘Golden Frill’ mustard is green and the leaf is lacy. Mustards have a tangy taste- perfect with other lettuces and greens for a mixed, colorful salad. These seeds can be sown every two weeks for a continuous supply of baby greens.

In a few weeks, I will thin out the golden beet seeds that I planted today. These seedlings will be washed and added to salads as well. Here is how I plant beets. I create a small trench about ½” deep and sprinkle the seeds on top. Then I cover them with soil. Do I set stakes with a string for perfect rows? No. The seeds scatter a bit. I try and place the seeds an inch or so apart. When the sprouts appear, I will thin them, taking first the outliers. When beets are two inches high, I will thin them to 3 inches apart.

Other greens that can be planted now are kales, spinach, collards, mesclun mixes. The mache (corn salad) I planted last fall is still thriving in my garden, surviving the winter under cloches. The rosettes are growing larger, still green and tasty.