St George's Day, 23 April, is the traditional date to brew dandelion wine. Although National Dandelion Day is actually 5 April, folkloric customs state the cheery yellow flowers are most abundant and produce the sweetest wine if you pick them on the 23rd. Maybe the earlier date was chosen because climate change has meant they now ripen earlier. However, there are more of them in my garden at the moment than there were a couple of weeks ago.
In the Kitchen
If you want to give dandelion wine a go, here's a link to a recipe. I've not tried it personally, but I have made dandelion tea, which is supposedly good for the complexion. Cut off the yellow heads and steep four in a cup of boiling water for 20 minutes. I've also added the leaves to salad. They taste a little like rocket but are quite bitter. I recommend adding a few to other ingredients then use a sweet dressing.
Nowadays, some vegans make dandelion syrup from the flowers, which supposedly tastes like honey. Recipe link here. I've seen some critics remark that dandelions are best left for the bees, which is certainly true in early spring, but there are so many of them growing now that picking a few is no problem so long as you only take what you need. Also, many gardeners mow lawns in April, so you could ask to forage before the wildflowers get chopped down anyway.
By the way, if you make dandelion wine in April, it should be ready in time for Yule, when it's perfect to raise a glass in honour of newborn sun.
Flowers of the Sun and Moon
Dandelions are flowers with two different faces. The bright yellow flowers with petals like the radiant sun, close up in the evening and transform. They re-emerge as a dandelion clock - a moonlike white sphere - translucent and fragile. If you blow on one, the fluffy white seeds scatter to the wind. That's the time to whisper your dreams and make a wish.
I've written a book offering more ways to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can view Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon, find it at esoteric bookshops or via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year
Please note: I earn commission from some links. None of my posts are medical advice, always consult a qualified medical professional if you have health concerns.
Previous related posts
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/04/st-george-man-and-myths.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/04/dandelions.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/05/pagan-eye-dandelions-ii.html
badwitch.co.uk/2026/03/flower-folklore-heather-for-luck-and.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/03/green-london-flowers-on-street-where-i.html
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