my bees need your dandelions

they are here, there and everywhere. and i love ’em! and my bees need them. they are an early spring super food for bees when little else is blooming. dandelions have naturalized throughout all 50 states (as well as most of canada and even mexico) and are believed to have been brought over by the pilgrims, who planted the herb as a medicinal crop. here are 10 reasons to love dandelions as much as i do:

1. Dandelions are not as invasive as commonly thought.
2. Dandelions add color to the drab landscape of early spring.
3. Dandelions are an important source of food for wildlife—especially bees.
4. Dandelions encourage biodiversity.
5. Dandelions protect the soil.
6. Dandelions aerate and condition distressed soil.
7. Dandelions are edible from root to flower.
8. Dandelions have medicinal value.
9. Kids love them.
10. And, c’mon,  they’re pretty.

a trio of dandelion flowers