Field horsetail is one of the oldest plants on earth. And he's also tough enough to survive. If you want to ban him from your lawn, you have to counteract his natural powers in the truest sense of the word. We'll show you how to get to the living fossil.

If you don't want to bother fighting field horsetail, you should simply use it

Table of Contents

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  1. Definition field horsetail
  2. Combat field horsetail
  3. Use field horsetail
  4. frequently asked Questions

    5. The botanical definition of field horsetail

    In order to know how best to deal with horsetail in the garden, it is an advantage if you know it well. So let's first take a look at it in a short 360° overview and put its botanical key data on the table.

    The field horsetail forms different shoots in two phases. In spring, from around March to May, it forms 5-20 cm high, fertile, light brown spore shoots with sporangia (spore receptacles) through which it reproduces generatively. After they shed their spores within about a month, they die off and make way for the infertile/sterile light green shoots. These are particularly noticeable due to their layered whorls of branches. The shoots are about 30 to 50 centimeters high and light green in colour.

    The field horsetail has a few trivial names, the most well-known of which is probably 'horsetail'. It belongs to the horsetail genus, botanically Equisetum, and to the horsetail family, botanically Equisetaceae. These in turn originate from the order of horsetail-like (Equisetales), which belongs to the class of Equisetopsida. At the very beginning of the family tree, the threads converge with the ferns.

    digression

    The paleobotany of the field horsetail

    The taxonomy of the field horsetail, which is consistently interspersed with the name 'horsetail', shows how effective it has been for survival throughout the history of the earth. Like ferns, they provide a direct link to the beginnings of our planet's flora. However, horsetails were once a much more powerful and species-rich plant family than they are today. The first horsetails are attested for the Upper Devonian Geoage about 375 million years ago. At that time, some horsetail species grew to huge, tree-like growth forms of up to 30 meters in height with trunks up to one meter in diameter.

    One trait that has certainly contributed to the field horsetail's amazing survival efficiency is its rooting in the soil. Its branched and hairy rhizomes penetrate up to 1.60 m deep into the soil and thus ensure a reliable supply and strong vegetative propagation. An asset for the plant, a horror for the gardener.

    Combat field horsetail effectively

    Once you have horsetail in your garden, you can look forward to a long relationship

    In fact, the field horsetail has something to counter the hobby gardener with its survival strategy, which has been tried and tested for thousands of years. Because it multiplies undeterred and can hardly be crushed, it is considered one of the most unwelcome weeds - both in private gardens and in agriculture. Depending on how ambitious and wealthy you are, you can try to eradicate the field horsetail permanently or be content with combating the symptoms. Here is an overview of the possible methods and their advantages and disadvantages:

    soil loosening dig up roots lime Regular shoot removal
    benefits Permanent solution, the weeds are deprived of their preferred soil conditions in the long term Permanent solution, immediate control of the plant Permanent solution, also displaces moss and favors lawn grass Little effort, shoots can be retained and used for various medical, cosmetic and horticultural home remedies
    disadvantage Very laborious and strenuous, motorized equipment may be necessary Expensive, tedious, root residues that sprout again are virtually unavoidable Only gradual and not particularly intense effect, correct dosage somewhat difficult Only symptom control, regular implementation necessary

    Combating the cause

    Field horsetail is largely resistant to superficial cutting off or tearing out, covering with weed fleece (€21.70) and chemical herbicides. At least the results are not permanent, because new shoots keep shooting out of the rhizome roots. If you want to get rid of him for good, you have to open other pages. The most effective are the following methods:

    • soil loosening
    • dig up roots
    • lime

    soil loosening

    We now know that the horsetail's greatest asset is its strong rootstock, from which it can regenerate very well. In order to combat it in the long term, this is exactly where we must start. With its deep-reaching roots, horsetail prefers firm, loamy soil that holds a lot of water. Therefore, they often occur in areas that either naturally have such soil conditions or in areas compacted by heavy vehicles.

    In order to literally get to the root of the horsetail problem, it makes sense to loosen the soil. In this way, the plant is deprived of its preferred basic requirements. In agriculture, deep chisels are used for preventive control, which deeply loosen the soil with their long metal claws. In the private sphere, too, one can, if necessary, use motorized equipment such as a motor hoe instead of a spade, especially in larger areas. Alternatively, you can also use deep-rooted, structure-loosening plants such as lupins. This method requires more patience, but less effort.

    A loosening of the soil down to the lower layers is worthwhile, especially in newly created garden plots. Frequently, those from house construction are heavily compacted by construction vehicles and also benefit from a complete loosening of the soil for the following years.

    dig up roots

    When digging up the soil mechanically or manually, you should also remove the roots of the field horsetail. Try to be as thorough as possible, because as with other strong-rooted and surviving plants (e.g. ivy), new shoots will also sprout from smaller residues.

    lime

    Lawn lime also curbs the growth of field horsetail

    Another way to permanently contain horsetail is to lime the soil. It no longer thrives so well in a slightly acidic to alkaline environment. Especially when the weeds have spread in the lawn, liming is advisable. Because a neutral to alkaline pH can also ward off moss, while benefiting lawn grasses and helping them become more dominant. Liming is therefore generally recommended as a means of strengthening the lawn.

    However, you should not just start liming, but use it carefully. Because an environment that is too alkaline is not good either and can even promote the moss again. It is advisable to do a soil test first. You can purchase appropriate test sets for this in gardening shops for little money. However, since field horsetail prefers to grow on compacted soil, a low pH value is likely, since such soils tend to acidify. The pH value of compacted clay soils should be at least 6.5.

    symptom control

    If the strenuous digging up or the patience-demanding tillage with lupins or lime is too tedious for you, you can also keep the field horsetail in check on the surface.

    However, only mechanical methods are suitable for this, i.e. tearing out or mowing off the shoots. Covering with weed fleece or biological and chemical weed killers are not effective on horsetail.

    If you cut the field horsetail, you can also take advantage of it. Because it has long been valued primarily as a medicinal plant.

    Useful properties of field horsetail

    Horsetail tea is delicious and healthy

    Whom you cannot conquer, you should make friends with yourself.

    This folk wisdom advises to cooperate elegantly and cleverly with adversity and opponents instead of fighting them doggedly and hopelessly. In this respect, it can be used well in the fight against field horsetail. Because there are quite a few reasons to consider him a friend.

    Already about 2000 years ago, mankind learned to use the valuable ingredients of the field horsetail for themselves. To this day, the plant is used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and even horticultural applications. The substances from which one can benefit are primarily silicic acid, flavonoids, potassium, carboxylic acids and glycosides.

    In this way, weeding can become a real gift and cutting a grateful harvest rather than an angry fight.

    Pharmaceutical use

    Famous physicians, botanists, pharmacists and general scholars such as Dioscorides, Pliny, Paracelsus or Kneipp have contributed to the therapeutic role of horsetail, which is firmly established today. The following qualities are particularly appreciated:

    • astringent effect
    • cleansing effect
    • anti-inflammatory
    • immune stimulation

    Field horsetail is particularly effective as a cleansing therapeutic agent for the blood, kidneys, bladder and stomach. It regulates the blood balance, thus improving the situation in the event of bleeding or anemia, and helps flush out ulcers and deposits from internal organs. Its soothing effect on rheumatic diseases and chronic coughs has also been confirmed. If you have weak tendons or tendons that are heavily used as a sportsperson, you can also benefit from the connective tissue-strengthening effect of field horsetail. Externally, field horsetail unfolds its positive effects on inflammatory wounds and swellings.

    Horsetail is mainly used in the form of tea for internal use. To do this, add about 8 teaspoons of finely chopped, green summer shoots to 500 milliliters of hot water, boil the whole thing and let it steep for 30 minutes. This is the best way to dissolve the silica. As a cure, you drink 3 cups a day for 4-6 weeks. The tea is also recommended as a long-term drink for those suffering from rheumatism.

    This tea can also be used for external applications, for example by soaking cloth wraps in it and placing them on wounds that are difficult to heal. You can use it to rinse your mouth with inflammation in the mouth and gargle with it if you have a persistent cough. Poultices can also be prepared for swelling.

    Horsetail in cosmetics

    In the cosmetic field, field horsetail is above all a valuable supporter of the connective tissue. Its high content of silicic acid, flavonoids and trace elements benefits skin, hair and nails, strengthens and tightens them and can therefore be considered an effective, natural beauty and anti-aging agent.

    The tea described above is also a proven preparation method for these cosmetic purposes. For strengthening the connective tissue, it unfolds its effect both externally and internally.

    Plant care with field horsetail

    Even for the garden, the horsetail can be converted from a nuisance to a beneficial one. Because its high silicic acid content also strengthens the cell structure of useful and ornamental plants, forms a crystalline protective layer on the leaves and makes them less vulnerable to fungal diseases and sucking pests. Powdery mildew, black spot or rose rust and aphids can be effectively prevented with a homemade broth, liquid manure or a cold extract from field horsetail.

    For the broth, soak 750 grams of finely chopped field horsetail in 5 liters of water for 24 hours. Then boil the mixture, let it simmer for half an hour and then cool. Dilute the strained brew in a ratio of 1:5 with water. Filled into a flower sprayer, you can use it to regularly treat plants suffering from fungal diseases. As a preventive measure, it is best to spray once a week in spring before the leaves sprout.

    Once the leaves have emerged, the treatment can be continued as an acute measure, in which case a great deal of thoroughness is required for a successful effect. This means that the leaves of the plant always have to be sprayed completely and dripping wet, and that after rain and prolonged intense sunlight, it is always necessary to spray again.

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    frequently asked Questions

    How do I recognize field horsetail?

    Field horsetail appears for most of the growing season with light green, 30 to 50 cm high shoots on which slightly upright, lively branched, tiered twigs are attached. The stems are 3-5 millimeters in diameter, ribbed and hollow inside. In spring, from around March to May, the horsetail appears with fertile, light-brown shoots that have 4 to 6 sheaths instead of whorls of branches. A spike of sporangia is enthroned on top, resembling spike flowers such as those of buckhorn.

    What is the most effective way to combat field horsetail?

    Field horsetail has very deep roots and can therefore only be contained permanently with a lot of effort. You can expect the best long-term success if you loosen the soil, because the weeds need dense, loamy soil. In the course of this, the roots should also be dug up as completely as possible. Liming the soil is also helpful for permanent control. The only way to combat the symptoms is to cut off or tear out the above-ground shoots. Herbicides or weed fleece remain largely ineffective.

    How do you make tea from horsetail?

    Horsetail tea has many positive properties and can be used for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes. To prepare it, cut up a good handful of the sterile, green field horsetail herb and add 8 teaspoons of it to half a liter of hot water. Then boil it all up and let it simmer for half an hour.

    Is field horsetail poisonous?

    No, horsetail, i.e. Equisetum arvense, is not poisonous. However, there is a fairly high risk of confusion with the poisonous swamp horsetail.

    What can field horsetail be confused with?

    Field horsetail can easily be confused by laypeople with the related marsh horsetail. Not only does it look very similar to its conspecifics, it also grows in similar locations, and sometimes the two species even keep each other company. In general, however, marsh horsetail is found in wetter areas than field horsetail, as it is named. However, it is more reliable to identify the species by their appearance, more precisely by the cross-section of the stem. This is significantly larger in field horsetail than in marsh horsetail.

Category:

Herbs