If you don’t destroy or remove the roots of a dandelion, it will likely grow back. If you’re having trouble pulling out the roots, try using a dandelion digger. Insert the digger into the soil at a 45 degree angle, and pry the dandelion out of the soil. After pulling out the dandelions, you can put mulch or horticultural vinegar over the area where you removed the dandelions to keep any missed roots from regrowing. [2] X Research source
Be careful not to pour the water on any surrounding plants—you might end up hurting them. This method is a quick solution to getting rid of any pesky dandelions temporarily. Since the root system of the dandelion grows deep, for a permanent fix, you’ll need to pull it out from the ground. [4] X Research source
Although horticultural vinegar is a natural product, it is a strong acid, and needs to be handled carefully. Wear long sleeves, gloves, pants, and a mask when using this product. Horticultural vinegar can damage surrounding plants, so be sure to use it in small amounts and only in the area with the dandelions.
Although they won’t touch the root system of the dandelion (meaning that the dandelion will grow back eventually), a flame weeder can quickly get rid of flowers and stems from dandelions, keeping them from spreading.
Any part of your garden or lawn that has open soil is susceptible to weeds. Mulch over all of these areas to prevent them from springing up. Any kind of mulch will do, including newspaper, tree bark, or woodchips.
When mowing your lawn, leave the grass clippings on the lawn’s surface. They can help stop dandelion seeds from germinating. On the other hand, if you let your grass grow to a height of 4 inches (10 cm), you can create enough shade in your garden to keep dandelions from growing. [9] X Research source
