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EDMONTON — It’s that time of year again, Edmonton: yards, boulevards, fields and basically any other stretch of green are being taken over by dandelions.
The yellow flowers elicit a range of emotions: from delight in children who pick the cheerful blooms (and sometimes pop the tops off while singing a rather macabre tune), to hatred in homeowners who strive for a perfect, weed-free lawn.
Those who expect the City of Edmonton to do anything about the persistent plants will be disappointed. Except in the most extreme cases, city officials say no herbicides will be used.
READ MORE: Dandelion season is here and there’s not much you can do about it
Residents can spot-spray on their private property, but the province previously issued an outright ban on broad-band herbicides.
But there are plenty of reasons to let dandelions grow.
The young leaves are edible and can be added to salads. Dandelion greens are becoming more common in grocery stores, and are available via food services like The Organic Box.
There are also recipes for dandelion tea, wine and even caffeine-free coffee. Fun fact: dandelion root is an ingredient in some root beer recipes.
Do you like honey? The flowers are important for pollinating insects such as bees, beetles and butterflies. Dandelions are one of the first blooms to appear in the spring, providing much-needed nectar and pollen to bugs emerging from hibernation.
Do you have any other uses for dandelions? Tell us in the comments section below.
With files from Emily Mertz, Global News
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