Is it safe to pick Dandelions & Daisys from a mowed garden?

[DreamKitty]

My garden is shared amonst 8 other residents. Everyone flat owner pays to get the garden mowed. There is plenty of Dandelions & Daisies in my garden that I want to pick. But before I do, I wanted to ask a question to you guys. Is it healthy to pick them from a "mowed garden?", I mean would the flowers take up any heat from the mower and be destroyed?

[Annpan]

I don't really understand what you mean , the heat from the lawnmower wouldn't kill anything.... but the blades would

... it should be fine to pick the flowers if you are sure the lawn isn't treated for weeds or fertilised or anything (this is why most of us advocate only organic growing)

What do you want the flowers for? for looking nice or for consuming? (I don't think you can eat daisies, but you can make lovely things out of dandelions)

[DreamKitty]

Thanks for replying. Well, in a book I have at home. It says you can consume Daisys for medical reasons or a energy boost. Ive collected some and im drying them.

[MKG]

The common daisy has been used for centuries for a variety of ailments - whether it works or not is a separate argument. As with all such things, DreamKitty, you need to do a lot more research than a single book before you use them. From what I can see, it appears that it is often effective in dealing with Vitamin C deficiency - but I would have thought eating an orange to be equally effective and much more pleasant.

Energy boost? I can find nothing about that at all, and I'm always wary of claimed energy boosts, no matter who tells me about them.

Bellis perennis is the plant you need to look up - and one of the first things you'll find is a warning never to use daisy or its extracts during pregnancy. Again, that would make me very wary - not that pregnancy would be a condition which would directly affect me

As for dandelion, it makes very good wine and can be a nice addition to a salad. But bear in mind that one of its folk names is Piss-a-bed.

Mike