On Being a Wild Thing

by Marlowe Beckett

May is the best month. It’s my favorite because most of the rain is done and I can finally get outside and play, not to mention all the cute little animals that are being brought into the world! Some of my favorite things to do outside include going on walks, playing with my dog, going on bike rides, camping in the backyard, going to the beach, skipping rope, drawing with chalk, and planting seeds in the garden with my dad.

We usually plant fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Last year, we planted beans and potatoes and peas and tomatoes and jalapenos and asparagus and parsley and raspberries and strawberries. We also planted lavender and roses and morning glories, but not all the flowers we have are ones we plant. My favorite “flower” (you might think of it as a weed) is a dandelion. They are so bright and happy and turn all puffy when they are at their peak.

Some people believe that you can wish on dandelions. Who cares about “they love me, they love me not” when wishes are so much better?!

I know they are technically weeds, which gives them a horrible reputation, but they aren’t REALLY harming anyone, are they? They aren’t prickly or poisonous or anything like that. They actually HELP people. Dandelions are used to stimulate the appetite and help digestion. Dandelion flowers have antioxidant properties. Dandelions may also help improve the immune system. Herbalists use dandelion root to detoxify the liver and gallbladder and dandelion leaves to help kidney function. Not bad for a weed, right?

But perhaps what is most important: dandelions are a valuable source for pollen and nectar for our busy pollinators, especially early in the season when other flowers are just waking up. Think of the bees and save the dandelions!