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The Common Weed That Can Fertilize Your Lawn Without Harsh Chemicals
By KATE NICHOLSON
Dandelions can be made into a fertilizing tea to provide a fast-acting, organic food source that can improve fruit quality and be applied with few adverse side effects.
Their tap roots make them nitrogen-fixing, as they extract nutrients that benefit your plants' growth and health. They also contain several elements helpful for vegetation.
You can use all parts of the dandelion for fertilizer tea, but be sure to harvest dandelions in areas where little to no pesticides have been used and avoid roadsides.
To brew the tea, you'll need a bucket, shears, breathable cloth, garden twine, and a stirring stick. Chop your dandelions into small pieces, dropping them directly into the bucket.
Aim for about 2 pounds of dandelion to 2.5 gallons of water. Fill the bucket a few inches from the rim with water and stir the mixture to ensure all the pieces are submerged.
Secure the cloth atop the bucket with twine and leave it somewhere safe from the elements for one to four weeks. Dilute it at a 1:4 ratio with water and use it as a fertilizer.