Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) has been a valued medicinal plant for centuries and can also be used in many recipes. In the lawn, however, the medicinal herb can also quickly become a weed, as it can multiply rapidly if treated incorrectly.

Fight buckhorn with weed killers

In certain locations with the right soil conditions, buckhorn can multiply profusely, with the plant being a valuable component in fodder meadows for horses and rabbits. In principle, it is possible to combat buckhorn in the garden lawn together with other herbs and weeds with herbicides. However, you should only use these chemical weed killers if alternative countermeasures have been unsuccessful and there are no vegetable beds or fruit trees intended for consumption in the vicinity.

Fight buckhorn mechanically and thoughtfully

With the right strategy, you can also mechanically combat excessive stocks of buckhorn in the turf. First and foremost, stop the plants from self-seeding after the flowering period in summer. Mow your lawn regularly from spring to a relatively low cutting height so that inflorescences cannot form in the first place. If you only mow the faded buckhorn in the summer, you will definitely contribute to a further distribution of the seeds. If you cannot avoid this, you should at least use a grass clippings collection basket when mowing and compost it far away from the lawn.

Weed and process plantain by hand

While weeding individual plants by hand is exhausting, it also has a distinct advantage. So you can harvest the plants pulled from the ground freshly as needed and eat them in various forms:

  • as a tea made from buckhorn
  • as a natural medicine against coughs and bronchial complaints
  • as natural feed for rabbits
  • as an ingredient in salads and dressings

For the winter months, you can also pickle or dry the plantain to preserve it in honey. The advantage of mechanically harvesting plantain lies in the fact that the deep-reaching roots are usually completely removed from the soil.

tips and tricks

Since buckhorn is less common on calcareous soils, adding lime can be part of the strategy for controlling buckhorn in the lawn.

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Category:

Herbs