Dandelions

The dandelion is one of the earliest flowers to appear in the spring. But are they applauded? No, they are dug up, stomped on, cut off, sprayed with weed killers, and otherwise maligned as a weed for the keepers of perfect lawns. So I did a bit of research about this early bloomer.

Did you know that the dandelion is in the sunflower family, and is native of Greece?

That its name comes from the French dent de lion (lion’s tooth)—a reference to the jagged margins of its leaves? That it grows almost anywhere in the world where there is a bit of soil and sunlight? That it is rich in nutrients—potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, as well as vitamins, especially vitamins C and B? Put dandelion leaves in a salad. They are best harvested in the spring when the leaves are young and less bitter.

That the early colonists brought the dandelion to North America, as they were aware of its many medicinal qualities? The juice extracted from the stem and leaves supposedly will eradicate warts, soothe calluses and bee stings. Other purported medicinal uses include lowering blood pressure and providing relief from rheumatism and arthritis. The entire plant is important as a general tonic.

That dandelion blossoms make tasty wine? The plant has also been used as a dye, yielding a purple color.

So, there it is. The dreaded dandelion is a hero in the plant world.

THE OLD TIMER SAYS: When is a weed not a weed?

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: My writing class at The Clearing in Door County is scheduled: Friday, July 27, 9-4. Call 920-854-4088 to register.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, May 15, 11:30 a.m. Black Hawk Country Club, SAIL Group. Once a Professor.

Saturday, May 19, 10:00-2:00 Dregne’s Westby, Book signing.

Sunday, May 20, 6:30. Lebanon Fire House, One-Room Schools.

Thursday, May 31, 7:00 Middleton Public Library. Book Launch for Cold As Thunder (New novel)

Purchase Jerry’s signed DVDs and books from the Library in Wild Rose, Wisconsin (a fundraiser for them):

Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.org
www.wildroselibrary.org
Phone: 920-622-3835

DVDs: His latest Public TV show, One-Room Country School is now available. It’s based on his book, One-Room Country Schools (also available).
Emmy Winner, A Farm Winter with Jerry Apps (based on The Quiet Season book.)
Jerry Apps a Farm Story (based on Rural Wit and Wisdom and Old Farm books.)
The Land with Jerry Apps, (based on the book Whispers and Shadows,)
Never Curse the Rain, (based on his book with the same title)

The library has several of Jerry’s signed books for sale including Jerry’s newest nonfiction books, Once a Professor, Every Farm Tells a Story, Living a County Year (reprints), One-Room Country Schools, Never Curse the Rain and Old Farm Country Cookbook, and his novel, The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County. Also Wisconsin Agriculture: A History, Roshara Journal (with photos by Steve Apps) and Telling Your Story—a guidebook for those who want to write their own stories.

Contact the library for prices and special package deals.