The Truth About Dandelions with Host Stephanie Barelman

The Truth About Dandelions

Episode Introduction

In today's episode, The Truth About Dandelions, we discuss what it means for a plant to be useful, what bees really want in their bento box, and resources for you to grow a rebellious garden year-round that humans and wildlife can enjoy.

Host Stephanie Barelman

Stephanie Barelman is the founder of the Bellevue Native Plant Society, a midwest motivational speaker surrounding the native plants dialog, and host of the Plant Native Nebraska Podcast.

Episode Sponsors

Today's episode is sponsored by:

Lauritzen Gardens

laurtizengardens.org

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Get some merch! https://plant-native-nebraska.myspreadshop.com/

Find us on Facebook

Visit our homepage https://plant-native-nebraska.captivate.fm

Give us a review on Podchaser! www.podchaser.com/PlantNativeNebraska

Support My Work via Patreon

The Plant Native Nebraska podcast can be found on the podcast app of your choice.

Episode Content

Dandelions: Public Enemy #1 Vs. Freedom Fighter?

Our parents (I'm looking at you, boomers) and their parents bought in to the idea of pristine and high-maintenance landscapes and dandelions look like a rebellious boy on a motor-bike.

What Dandelions and Native Plants Have in Common

Both native and non-native plants can be judged for being unruly and not conforming to societal expectations for perfect, tidy landscapes. But in aspiring to have native-plant forward gardens, we try to rely less on ideal aesthetics and more on what is wholesome for wildlife but also, sustainable.

Respect What's Native Where It's Native While Also Acknowledging Naturalized Plants Can Have Useful Qualities.

What's native will change where you go. It varies across the U.S. and across the globe. There's a strong benefit to planting locally historical plants but that doesn't mean we need to demonize all non-native plants. One-size-fits all never really lives up to its name, does it?

A Little Backstory on the Dandelion

The Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is native to Europe and Asia and is a true herb of antiquity. So for those of you who might not know, it’s not native. 

Ancient Medical 

Has been hailed for its many medicinal uses including problems with the bladder, liver, and stomach.

Culinary Wonder

Every part of the plant is edible, which is unique for most plants. We’re talking salads, cooked greens, edible flowers, teas, wine. 

Indigenous Use

The Iroquois tribe alone used it for pain relief, to...