dandelion help/stocking up for fall and winter

[tori rose]

I have rose bushes in my yard and have been picking freshly bloomed petals and rose buds and dehydrating them to store for fall and winter to sprinkle a bit over salad sometimes. My question is, has anyone done this with dandelions? Would they even hold up well? I would love to be able to provide more variety since my box gardens won’t provide during that time either. And she loves the fresh basil and blackberry leaves I give her right now, flowers are a favorite as well. Does anyone have good foraging tips for the non growing seasons?

[Peapod026]

I frequently used dandelions from my yard to feed my buns, but have never tried dehydrating them. I’m not sure their leaves dehydrate well, but the buns can eat the dandelion root too (though treat it like carrots–they’re high in sugar). I know people can dehydrate the roots (I think that’s how they make dandelion tea).so maybe you could do the same, and sprinkle the roots over the food?

[Deleted User]

Actually, the roots used in dandelion tea are generally roasted. (I don’t know much about these particular roots although I drink the tea daily, but often when roots are prepared in this way there is a good reason for it so I’d suggest doing more checking on that topic.) However, dried leaves and flowers can also be used in a variety of ways including teas. I can’t see why you couldn’t dry the leaves (must admit I’d do it the traditional way, hanging tied in bunches and/or in a paper bag rather than use all the eletric energy dehydrating), all that said my personal concern would be whether or not my rabbits would be interested in eating them. I have offered dried herbs and leaves with mixed results. Herbs they enjoy fresh do not interest them dry, but blackberry, raspberry and currant leaves they enjoy both dry and fresh. Since they do all have different preferences you may want to check with them before going through a lot of bother prepping a plant they may reject. And dried leaves can supplement but can never replace fresh greens in a healthy diet for a rabbit.

[Bam]

I have my fruit-and mushroom dryer full of dandelion leaves right now I also dry plantain, Apple leaves, rose leaves and a bit of high, coarse grass.
My buns love dried dandelion. It’s a nice supplement in winter when all vegs have to be bought and the variety isn’t so great.
In order to keep as much of the nutrients as possible you should dry them hanging in a cool dry dark space. I use a mushroom dryer because I’ve a limited amount of cool dry dark spaces and two very hungry buns

[tori rose]

She definitely prefers the fresh rose petals but has hopped excitedly over for the dried too (I wanted to test it before in case she didn’t like them so I didn’t waste tons of petals lol). I didn’t think I’d dry the leaves since there are tons of leafy greens fresh still available in stores at all times but definitely was curious about other flowers. Maybe I should just grow indoors for the smaller herbs with a growth light then.. I wouldn’t want all crusty salad topping ‘treats’ for six months straight either.. I’ll have to try hang drying some of the blackberry leaves at least though, that’s a good idea!

If I cut some canes from the blackberry bushes are those okay to give as chews?

[tori rose]

I’m glad to hear yours like them bam, I’ll give it all a go that way! Our laundry room is dark since it’s between the garage and the house, I’ll hang from the wire shelving(:

[Author]

Messages