I found this on the internet today and thought you might like it too.
“Hello, I’m a dandelion.
A lot of people call me a weed but I’m a friend and come to help you!
My flowers are the first food for insects after hibernation and unlike most other plants, I have pollen AND nectar, not merely one OR the other! And I am generous with them!
.
When you see me, remember that I’m the ONLY one who wants and can grow in that particular spot. Because:
.
Either the soil is too compact / hard / stomped and I want to loosen it for you with my roots.
.
Or there is too little calcium in the soil – don’t worry, I will replenish that for you with the dying of my leaves.
.
Or the soil is too acidic. But I will also improve that for you if you give me the chance.
Or a mixture of the above reasons, of course.
.
I’m here because your soil needs my help so best you let me grow without disturbing me! When everything is fixed, I will disappear again, I promise!
.
Are you trying to remove me prematurely with my root? However meticulous you are, I will return 2x as strong! Just until your soil is improved.
.
You can even tell by my growth at which stage my help is at. If my leaves are flat on the ground then I’m far from ready but if they all reach up then I’m already a long way on my way.
.
Something completely different is that I am 1 of the first bloomers in spring so I will announce spring / summer for you.
.
During the day when it’s hot, I open my flowers but in the evening when it cools off I close them again quickly. In fact, if it’s not hot enough during the day I won’t open them at all!
.
My flowers are even delicious for you people by the way, did you know? I used to be called ′′honey (or gold) of the poor′′ because my flowers are so sweet in e.g. jam, sauce or salad! The internet is full of recipes – check them out.
But wait until the end of May or later before you start picking and even then, don’t pick everything yet! The biodiversity and bees will be very grateful!”
“Hello, I’m a dandelion.A lot of people call me a weed but I’m a friend and come to help you!
My flowers are the first food for insects after hibernation and unlike most other plants, I have pollen AND nectar, not merely one OR the other! And I am generous with them!
.
When you see me, remember that I’m the ONLY one who wants and can grow in that particular spot. Because:
.
Either the soil is too compact / hard / stomped and I want to loosen it for you with my roots.
.
Or there is too little calcium in the soil – don’t worry, I will replenish that for you with the dying of my leaves.
.
Or the soil is too acidic. But I will also improve that for you if you give me the chance.
Or a mixture of the above reasons, of course.
.
I’m here because your soil needs my help so best you let me grow without disturbing me! When everything is fixed, I will disappear again, I promise!
.
Are you trying to remove me prematurely with my root? However meticulous you are, I will return 2x as strong! Just until your soil is improved.
.
You can even tell by my growth at which stage my help is at. If my leaves are flat on the ground then I’m far from ready but if they all reach up then I’m already a long way on my way.
.
Something completely different is that I am 1 of the first bloomers in spring so I will announce spring / summer for you.
.
During the day when it’s hot, I open my flowers but in the evening when it cools off I close them again quickly. In fact, if it’s not hot enough during the day I won’t open them at all!
.
My flowers are even delicious for you people by the way, did you know? I used to be called ′′honey (or gold) of the poor′′ because my flowers are so sweet in e.g. jam, sauce or salad! The internet is full of recipes – check them out.
But wait until the end of May or later before you start picking and even then, don’t pick everything yet! The biodiversity and bees will be very grateful!”
Thank you to the person who put this together.
artfulcrone
June 8, 2024 at 12:34 pm
Dandelions are my favorite flower. Thank you for teaching me more about them!
mybeautfulthings
June 8, 2024 at 8:07 pm
I love them too, such bright splashes of colour and so good for the pollinators early in the season. 🙂
nrhatch
June 8, 2024 at 12:31 pm
I’ve always liked dandelions . . . and now I have even more reasons to smile when I see them.
mybeautfulthings
June 8, 2024 at 8:06 pm
Me too. I have to keep the lawn mowing away from them! I love their brightness and resilience – and now, like you, I know even more about them. 🙂
Eda Duesterhoeft
June 7, 2024 at 9:46 pm
I have been following you for sometime (superficially), but your dandelion posting intrigued me enough to get to know more you better. Now I know why you caught my attention in the first place—kindred spirits attract one another! We have so many things in common; I am a 79 year old mother of two and grandmother of two delightful girls. As a retired graphic designer/artist, all forms of visual and verbal language is the my way of interpreting the world around me—age and experience has enriched that focus.
I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis, so I can certainly understand the need to reframe how we experience the world around us! I am instinctively spiritual, minus the dogma that is so often attached, and passionate about human rights, the environment and the interrelationship of all things (including time) in the circle of life.
The dandelions hit a chord because we are converting our small 5th generation farm from 100+ years of row cropping into Pollinator Habitat—dandelions are truely the kings of spring! We plan to use the project to raise awareness and encourage others to act on the pollinator crisis we are facing.
mybeautfulthings
June 8, 2024 at 8:13 pm
Thank you so much for this lovely comment. I think you are right, we are kindred spirits indeed, so much in common. As a Humanist, I too am instinctively spiritual but think in terms of humanity and living our best lives now.
You are right about reframing to find the good when all around the world is in trouble. We can all do our small part and I love what you are doing with your farm. That is truly special. All the best to you 🙂