The cool thing about dandelions is that they are so ubiquitous you can probably find them at all life stages on your lawn (or in sidewalk cracks). Look closely and you'll see some that are still buds, not quite ready to open. A day later you might spy a bit of yellow. Then they flower and go to seed.
But how long does that take? This week, try to find some dandelions that are just about ready to open, or have just opened. Watch them for a few days.
How long do the dandelions flower?
What happens as the dandelion grows older?
When do the fluffy white parachute seeds happen?
If you have a camera, try to take pictures of the dandelion as it changes over time. Or keep track by sketching it in your journal.
Another thing to ponder: do all the dandelions in one area get old and fluffy at the same time? Or are there new flowers opening as old ones lose their seeds to the wind?
And how long does it take for a seed to grow into a plant, anyway?
Poem by Jessica Bigi
ReplyDeleteFollowing paw prints through
The garden on a rainy day
Some prints seam to make my
Boots jump a hopping jig
Then seam to disappear beneath
Tulip umbrellas
Other prints make me hope
On my tippy tows as they
Scatter here and there in search of beetles
Then there are the prints that make my teeth chatter
Always in a hurry and a scurry
And very long prints that slide my feet in a shuffle
Slithering in and out of clovers and petunias
Some prints bark and some prints mellow
Wail other prints are busy gathering berries
But my most favorite garden prints to follow
Are just like mine just a whole lot bigger
I follow them with a whistle and a skip
Through the garden a picking and a weeding
From the garden through our yard
From our yard to the kitchen
One boot two boots three boots four off
Muddied in a pail
Fresh sailed homemade soup
Fresh baked cookies
For Grandpa and me