Weeds, oh dear, what is a gardener to do?

It’s already happening. Between pavement cracks, in planter beds, and egads, in my green carpet lawn, too. Yes, the weeds are back.

You have a choice. Deny yourself gardening happiness by fixating on eliminating every weed. Or embrace them. Well, not all of them. First, a nice layer of mulch goes a long way toward preventing weeds from taking hold. When they do emerge, they pull up easily.

One of the most hated weeds is the dandelion, found on all six continents. Dandelions are widely known for granting children wishes when their seedheads are blown into the air. They’re known for ruining lawns, too. But there might be something to appreciate about the maligned perennial herb. Before you roll your eyes, consider that according to Merriam-Webster, the definition of a weed is “a plant that is not valued where it is growing.” Semantically, if you like it, it’s technically not a weed. Still, its detractors may have a point.

The plant, botanically named “Taraxacum officinale,” gets its common name, dandelion, from the French “dent de leon,” which translates to “lion’s tooth,” a reference to the plant’s jagged leaves. It was brought to America by settlers during colonial times for its medicinal benefits. Those pesky European immigrants also brought us rats and pigeons, aka flying rats. In retrospect, those immigrants should have been stopped at the border.

Throughout history, dandelions were used as a digestive aid and diuretic. They even were believed to cure everything from toothaches to vision problems. They are high in vitamins A, C, and K, fiber, and calcium.

I grew up eating their peppery leaves. My mother used to dig them up in the yard. She would toss them in a salad with sliced onion, tomato, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Amazing how that simple concoction softened the bitter green. She would say it is a spring tonic and good for you. All the while I was questioning why we had to eat weeds while other kids got Wonder Bread PB& J sandwiches.

If you want to forage dandelions, only use those not exposed to lawn chemicals. Avoid eating anything that grows on the roadside, where exhaust fumes, visiting dogs, and who knows what else could have contaminated