dandelion tactics

So many dandelions on my lawn and flower beds.  Where do they all come from?
The yellow flowers contain nectar and pollen that feed bees and other insects, so I let them shine.  But when the flowers turn to balls of fluff, my attitude changes.

Each seed head contains about 150 seeds ready to germinate and crowd out even more of my grass and other plants.

Dandelions are so successful because they have brilliant strategies for procreating and continuing the species.  The plants are perennials that live for many years.  The roots will re-grow if a bit is left in the ground when they are pulled out.  Moreover, the flowers can be pollinated by insects, but if that does not happen, they pollinate themselves.

Most form seed heads that break apart and float a great distance to pastures new.  But some seed heads do not develop parachutes.  Those seeds fall close to the parent plant.  So they seem to have all their bases covered!

My strategy for getting rid of dandelions:  I let the yellow flowers do their thing.  When they turn to seed, I walk around with a big plastic bag, pop off the heads, and stick them in the bag.  When the bag is full, I seal it tight and put it in the garbage.  This exercise takes a long time, my back kills me, and new fluff balls pop up within an hour, but it makes me feel like I have done something rather than nothing.

A bag of dandelion heads ready for disposal.