Slowly, we are getting used to the idea that we must accept our expanding crop of dandelions every year. Considered weeds by many, neighbours agree that the sooner we accept the dandelions as a positive sign of summer and relish in their vibrant colour and many uses, the better off the neighbourhood will be. Dandelion leaves are edible and while most residents who have tried them in a salad find them to be bitter, the backyard chickens love them and attribute their bright yellow yolks to them. One neighbour has made sweet dandelion wine which makes a lovely aperitif with any meal. There is no doubt they attract the bees to the neighbourhood, a necessary pollinator for all the flower and vegetable gardens enjoyed in the area. Another neighbour commented that she used to use the dandelion flowers on her lawn as a signal for when it was time to mow the grass until she realized that those little yellow flowers have a tendency to duck just before the lawnmower gets to them and only stand up again when the lawnmower is tucked safely back in the shed. Having witnessed this phenomena several times, she just might be on to something there. Considering dandelion flowers react to sunshine by opening and closing, perhaps they react to noise as well? Hmmm.
