Dandelions and.....cancer?

I'm on a short hiatus here (trying to accomplish some spring organizing and cleaning, and working on the Amazing Grace book! ) but I couldn't resist posting this since it is prime dandelion treatment season.

Some of you know I suffered from Hodgkins lymphoma (a cancer of the lymph) two years ago. Since then I have been particularly aware of various supposed carcinogens in our environment. (I was pretty green before, but boy am I GREEN now!

Anyway, FWIW, here's some debated info about the common herbicides used to treat your lawn for dandelions and, as an added plus, you can read about the benefits of dandelion for your health. All parts can be used...flower to make wine, tender leaves in a salad, and root for other health benefits.

Dangers of 2, 4-D (used to combat broadleaf plants including dandelions):
query.nytimes.com/gst/ful...A960948260

More info:

www.ibiblio.org/intergard...dandelions
www.diamondorganics.com/t...ion_greens

Dandelion recipes:

www.mountain-breeze.com/k...index.html

frugalliving.about.com/cs...042302.htm

Note: Do NOT eat greens of dandelions that have been previously treated (obviously ) No, I have not tried these recipes. Yes, I want and hope to. We have a HUGE dandelion "garden" on the back 2 acres....so might as well!

What to do to eliminate the dandelions? I'm not sure. Ask your local greenhouse or garden shop for natural alternatives, and please post them! (I'd love to read).

Sadly our lawn has been treated once for dandelions but I have printed out the above articles for David to read. I wonder if those with well water would be particularly susceptible because of potential leakage into the water supply?

New note: I have been informed that "horticultural vinegar" helps eliminate the dandelions. I thought you might enjoy other readers' suggestions:

Theresa, get a dandelion removal-thingy and have each child remove 5 or so a day until they are all gone Your youngest is is off the hook until she hits 5 or so.. Teresa
	Learn to love them.. I don't see weeds, Theresa. I see beautiful bouquets from my children Annie
	Re: cancer and dandelions Just call your "lawn" a "yard" instead . That way there's no requirement to remove dandelions, fertilize, or even keep the grass very short! Saves a lot of fuss and bother! Lisa

I will agree--a fist full of these lovely *weeds* given to you by a 5 or 7 or 9 year old is a wonderful thing indeed!

Comments

[Barbara]

The safest way to get rid of dandelions is with the above mentioned weeder. Try to get the root. You can also try salt water, but you risk killing anything nearby (as in grass). You can also try boiling hot water, but again you might kill nearby not-weeds.

[Christine]

I don't know whether horticulture vinegar is a fancy name for red wine vinegar, but the latter will work, too.

[Christine]

Stop the presses! I should have written apple cider vinegar, not red wine vinegar. I think that my lack of sleep is catching up with me.