Cichorium intybus (Asteraceae or Compositae family)
Production
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Soil preparation
Apply compost and other amendments based on the results of a soil test.
Spread lime as needed to increase both the pH and Ca levels. Dolomite lime will also increase Mg levels. Spread gypsum when calcium levels are low but pH is correct.
Incorporate compost, and plant dandelions in raised beds.
Jang, Sutton Jr. or Planet Jr. planters in combination with small seeds like dandelions don’t perform well with plant matter on the soil surface, so avoid planting them after tall green manures.
Create a fine and firm seedbed when direct seeding dandelions. Prepare the seedbed a few weeks before planting to encourage weeds to germinate. This provides the opportunity for some initial weed control via shallow cultivation or flaming.
Alternatively, place a silage tarp over the prepared and irrigated seedbed 3–5 weeks in advance of the seeding date, depending on the time of year. This will flush many annual weed seeds and reduce weed pressure. Remove the tarp when the weeds have died.
Common recommended fertilizer rates1
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
pH
120
0-160
0-160
6.0-6.4
1Rates are for New York and are from Cornell University’s Nutrient Guidelines for Commercial Vegetable Production (2019). Check the Cornell website for updated guidelines, or consult with local experts for recommended rates outside New York.
Varieties
Dandelion is actually a chicory, favored by traditional Italian customers.
Popular varieties are Catalogna Special and Red Rib
Greenhouse guidelines
EZ Seeder seeding plate #9
Cell pack tray
Germination temp
Growth temp
Hardening off
Cell pack tray
72, 98 or 128
56°–85°
60°–75°
Withhold water
Sow 3 seeds to a cell. Remove from the greenhouse 5 days before planting. Put plug trays on a wire mesh bench to encourage air pruning.
Carousel transplanter
Rows
In-row spacing
Planting depth (inches)
Notes
3
5 inches
Normal; do not bury the plant.
Direct seeding information
Seeder
Rows
Seeds per foot
Seed plate no.
Depth (inches)
Sprocket setting
Notes
MaterMacc
3
12-20
96 H 0.8
1/4-1/2
22-17
For bunching
Sutton Jr.
9
50
8
1/4-1/2
1 mph for salad or braising greens
Jang
3
12
F 24
1/4-1/2
Front 14/rear 10
Transplant tips
You can also transplant dandelions using a paper-pot planter, which allows you to get optimum spacing and an early start. Start paper pots in the greenhouse. This results in a high germination rate. Use 2-inch pot spacing (CP303) for optimal spacing. Plant when the dandelion has developed its first true leaves. Planting later leads to transplant shock. Don’t bury the plants, but make sure the pots themselves are covered to avoid drying out. Irrigate the first week until roots are established.
Number of successions
Plant each succession when the cotyledons are up on the previous planting. Generally, allow 10–14 days between the first and second succession, and end with intervals of 7 days for continuous harvest.
When harvesting multiple times from the same plants, reduce the number of successions accordingly.
Cultivation procedures
Use a basket weeder or wheel hoe when weeds are in the white thread stage, without burying the young crop. Weed control is more effective when you eliminate weeds before they emerge.
Hand weed or hoe between plants.
You can harvest dandelions twice if you keep the crop clear of weeds. Use side knives or sweeps only to eliminate weeds.
Other cultural practices
To prevent deer damage, build a temporary fence using 4-foot fiberglass posts and attach 1 clearly visible wire like IntelliTape at about knee height. Build a second fence inside the first fence, but attach 2 wires or twine whereby the top line is about 7-feet tall. Deer don’t have very good depth perception and won’t attempt to jump this fence without checking out the first fence, so electrifying the second fence is often not needed. Bait the outside deer fence with peanut butter and electrify it. Make sure you build the fences, bait and electrify on the same day. The surprise effect is what matters most with this particular deer control.
Irrigate frequently for optimum yield and plant health. Frequency depends on soil type, evaporation, precipitation and the particular needs of the crop.
Double cropping and/or cover cropping
You can plant another short-season vegetable crop like arugula or turnips after early-planted dandelions.
For later dates, work under any harvest remains to avoid insect or pathogen buildup, and plant a cover crop. In the northern United States and Canada, you can follow summer- and early-fall-harvested dandelions with a cover crop of oats and peas in September, or rye and vetch planted at later dates. Adjust accordingly in other regions.
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
