Utah weeds · Perennial · peak March – June
How to get rid of Dandelion in Utah
How to recognize Dandelion
- A flat rosette of deeply toothed leaves close to the ground
- Hollow flower stems that leak a milky sap when snapped
- Bright yellow flowers that become white seed puffballs
- A long, thick taproot
Why it thrives in Utah
Dandelions grow almost anywhere, and their seeds travel on the wind from neighbors’ yards and open ground. The taproot is the problem: mowing or snapping the leaves off leaves the root in the ground, and it regrows. A piece of root left behind can sprout again.
How to remove it by hand
- Pull after rain or after watering, when the soil is soft and the root slides out.
- Loosen around the plant with a hand fork or weeder, going down along the taproot.
- Pull straight up with a steady motion so the whole root comes out.
- Bag flower heads and seed puffs so they do not spread seed.
- Smooth over the hole. Bare spots invite the next seedling.
When to pull it
Spring is the main flush, from March into June, with a second round in the fall. Pull before flowers go to seed.
How to keep it from coming back
- Keep beds mulched two to three inches deep.
- Fill bare patches with plants so seeds have nowhere to land.
- Remove flowers before they become puffballs.
Dandelion FAQs
Do dandelions grow back from the root?
Yes, if part of the taproot is left in the ground it can send up a new plant. That is why pulling the whole root works better than cutting or mowing.
Is it OK to pull dandelions when they are flowering?
Yes. Pull them as soon as you see them and bag the flower heads, so they do not release seed as you work.
When is the best time to pull dandelions?
When the soil is damp, usually in spring and again in fall. Damp soil lets the long taproot come out in one piece.
Skip the pulling
A weeder from Utah Weed Pullers can handle dandelion for you: one visit a week, pulled by hand with no sprays, from $322 a month. We serve all of Utah County and Salt Lake County, including Lehi, Provo, Orem, Draper, Sandy, South Jordan, American Fork, Salt Lake City. See every city.