Tips for combating it
Fight field horsetail? This is how you take advantage of the weeds
For many hobby gardeners, field horsetail is an annoying weed
© Orest Lyzhechka/Getty Images
Between March and October, the field horsetail spreads unhindered, depriving other plants of vital nutrients, as well as water and light. It seems almost impossible to remove the stubborn weeds – so why not put them to good use in the garden?
Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is one of the weeds that quickly spreads across lawns and beds thanks to its deep root system. Once you have discovered the plant in your garden, it is almost impossible to permanently remove the uninvited guest. There are methods to combat field horsetail. However, permanently removing the plant, also known as horsetail, is utopian. Instead, you can use the weeds to strengthen and protect other plants from pests. You can find out exactly how this works and what tips can help prevent field horsetail from spreading as follows.
Fighting field horsetail: The best tips
As already mentioned, the roots of the field horsetail extend deep into the earth. This means that the weeds are able to spread quickly and extensively – much to the chagrin of other plants, which literally compete for space. In addition, the seeds are distributed not only by the wind, but also by the support of other animals. This makes permanent removal almost impossible. If you still want to try to combat field horsetail, you can use these proven methods:
- Field horsetail prefers compacted, moist soil that is ideally slightly loamy or sandy. For this reason it is recommended that to loosen up the soilfor example with a garden fork, a spade, a hoe or a Garden claw. If you come across the first roots of the weed, remove them directly by hand.
- A soil loosening one green manure should also contribute to the control of field horsetail. This refers to the cultivation of plants that green the ground and root deeply or loosen up the soil. Perennial perennials such as, for example, are particularly suitable for this method Lupins (Lepidoptera).
- If the unpopular weed grows on the lawn, the soil is probably acidic. To the PH value To determine, you can use one Soil sample make. You then contribute to the wild growth lime until the soil only has a slightly acidic pH value, which benefits the soil and the grasses – but not the field horsetail.
- If you also the floor mow regularly, you can’t remove the weeds, but you can keep them permanently in check (as far as growth is concerned) and strengthen the lawn at the same time. The most important thing is that you fight the field horsetail before it forms seeds and can also spread via the wind.
Another important note: Using garden fleece or film to combat field horsetail is not worth the effort – because it has no noticeable effect on the weeds.
This is how you can use field horsetail
As annoying as field horsetail may be, it also has its good sides: Since the weed prefers compacted, loamy, moist soil, it is considered a so-called indicator plant for waterlogging (especially in agricultural farming). In private gardens, however, the plant containing silica can be used as a biological plant protection agent. On the one hand, you can use field horsetail to combat fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Or you can use the broth to protect susceptible crops and ornamental plants from pests such as aphids. The South or extract You can either purchase it, provided your garden is weed-free, or make it yourself. And it goes like this:
- Collect 1500 grams of field horsetail and soak it in a bucket with ten liters of water for 24 hours.
- Then bring the mixture to the boil in a pot and simmer on a low heat for 30 minutes.
- After the broth has cooled completely, pour it through a sieve and then mix the liquid with water (in a ratio of 1:5).
- You can use the brew either as irrigation water to strengthen yourself or over a spray bottle against fungal diseases on the leaves.
That’s why you shouldn’t use herbicides
The use of chemical weed killers, also known as herbicides, is the last resort for desperate amateur gardeners. Unfortunately, these do not promise lasting success in combating field horsetail – apart from the fact that they harm flora and fauna. Biological preparations There are of course also, but these only help superficially against the weeds, as the roots are deep in the earth and the plant quickly recovers from the use and sprouts again and again.
Source: My beautiful garden
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