SPRING 2013

It's once again time to harvest Dandelions for making our BD #506, Dandelion Preparation. In the past we have had many individuals and groups support us by picking, drying and shipping dandelions to us. We are offering $25 for a dried pound. If you would like to contribute, please contact us. If you have questions about how and when to properly harvest dandelions, please read on.

Pick the blossoms as early in the day as possible and as early in the spring time as you can. It is best to pick no later than one hour before meridian noon (That is the time when the sun is directly overhead).

Pick dandelions where you are reasonably sure no poisons or mineral fertilizers have been applied. Do not pick along roadside ditches or near parking lots. If poison spray drift into your picking area is a problem, do not pick from that area.

Pick only the young blossoms that show the Bull's-Eye pattern. Pop the flowers off the stems, and remove any leaves or debris.

Blossoms need careful drying, which must be done in a dry, shady spot. A good method is to put them near a heat source spread out on newspapers. Be careful not to over-dry the blossoms, which is easy to do if you use an electric food dryer.

Once dried, put them in a bag and send them to us.

Fresh-picked Dandelion blossoms delivered in person will be accepted at $5.00 a pound.