If plantain spreads across the lawn, it pushes the lawn back more and more. We'll show you a few ways to get rid of weeds.
A well-groomed lawn is the hallmark of many gardens. If the green area is to be settled on a dense and low-nitrogen soil, hobby gardeners have a hard time. The plantain finds ideal growth conditions here, drives its taproots deep into the ground and crowds out the tender grasses and other flat-rooted plants.
So that the broadleaf plantain cannot spread over large areas and damage other plants, it is important to take targeted action against the weeds. We will tell you about different methods and describe how to get rid of plantain on your lawn.
Small description of plants
Broad plantain is a perennial herbaceous plant that can grow between 5 and 40 centimeters tall. Thanks to its rhizomes, which are up to 80 centimeters long, it can also grow on compacted soil, so that it can be found almost everywhere. For example, it grows along roads, in meadows and pastures, on paths and even in pavement joints.
The spoon-shaped and palm-sized leaves are arranged in a leaf rosette. The individual leaves are ovate to elliptical in shape and may have short, dense hairs.
At the end of a leafless inflorescence there is an erect, spike-shaped inflorescence from June to October. Unlike other flowers, plantain flowers do not emit any odor.
Here you can see what the individual parts of the plant look like:
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Broad plantain in naturopathy
Plantain is a thorn in the side of many hobby gardeners because it is difficult to remove from the lawn. Broad plantain is a wild herb with extremely useful properties. The healing properties of plantain were already known in ancient times. At that time, for example, he helped with rheumatic diseases. The RomanAuthor Pliny the Elder even reported that the medicinal plant could help with animal bites or the sting of a scorpion.
And even today plantain is valued for its healing properties. Hikers, for example, benefit from its high content of silicic acid, mucilage, tannins and zinc. Because of these ingredients, it is ideal for treating small wounds such as indecent bites or scratches - but also when blisters start to form. For this it is sufficient if you rub the leaves of the plant in your hands until the plant juice appears and then apply it to the affected area or in your shoe. Then the plantain can unfold its pain-relieving, decongestant and anti-inflammatory effect.
Tip: The ingredients in plantain also soothe sunburn.
The miracle herb can not only be used externally. Its antiviral and antibacterial ingredients can, for example, fight inflammation in the mouth and throat and relieve coughs. Since it can also prevent inflammation, reduce fever and strengthen the immune system, it also serves as a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic against various diseases - for example asthma, gastritis or bronchitis.
Tip: If you want to quit smoking, you can mix dried plantain leaves with the tobacco. This blend is said to induce aversion to nicotine in smokers.
Remove plantain from the lawn
Anyone who is bothered by plantain in their lawn has various options for freeing it.
Remove plantain manually - a difficult task
If you want to rid your lawn of plantain, you have a number of options. In theory, the easiest way to rid your lawn of plantain is to simply remove the leaves and flower spikes from the lawn with your hands. However, this promises little success. Because the plantain is anchored deep in the ground with its taproots, permanent manual removal is not possible.
If you grab a shovel and spade, unsightly holes will result in the lawn and you would also damage the neighboring grass. For effective removal, you'd better use a special weed puller.
Because working with a weed claw is also a feat of strength, you have to wait for the best time. If the soil is dry, the roots break easily and the plantain drifts to its supposedRemove new from.
After heavy downpours, the soil is more permeable and the hobby gardener can simplify the removal of the plantain.
Working with the weeder in keywords:
• Wait for the moment
• Drive the weed claw as deep as possible into the ground
• Taproot must be grasped completely
• Move the weed rake back and forth carefully
• Pull plantain out of the ground
If the weather doesn't cooperate, we can help. Before using the weed claw, pour plenty of water on the plantain. If the water has penetrated the soil after a few minutes, the weed catcher can be used as described.
Tip: You don't have to dispose of the white plantain after its removal. The parts of the plant are edible. Here you can take advantage of the healing properties of wild herbs. The leaves of the plantain, for example, make a crunchy salad. The seeds can be ground into a substitute for flour, pressed out or simply nibbled on the side. The roots are very suitable for vegetable dishes.
Lawn treatment for large-scale infestation
While individual plants can be removed manually, other methods must be used if the plantain spreads over a large area. An intensive lawn treatment can solve the problem.
The individual steps:
1. Mow lawn
2. Scarify lawn
3. Fertilize lawn
The lawn should be cut as short as possible. Then scarify the lawn lengthwise and crosswise. Plantain does not like calcareous soil. A fertilizer with a high lime content is therefore recommended.
Tip: Check the pH of the soil. If the test result is below 5.5, the plantain has ideal conditions and it should be counteracted with lime fertilizer.
By using calcareous fertilizer, the acidity of the soil is brought back into balance. The existing noble grasses tolerate lime fertilizer very well, become stronger and can hold their own better against the now weakening plantain.
Tip: Regular lawn cutting prevents the spread of plantain. Because the weed cannot then spread through its seeds. A cutting height of four to five millimeters is ideal. The grass takes the light from the plantain and lets it die.
Weed killer - the quick way
See youIf the lawn treatment described takes effect, it can take a few days to weeks. Using weed killer gives faster results. Various products are commercially available. Only a few of them reach the strong taproots and cause lasting damage to the weed.
Warning: You should not use weed killer indiscriminately, this can attack the lawn and cause it to die off.
If the plantain has spread in the joints and crevices of terrace or paving slabs, a biological weed killer can be helpful. Biological products, such as COMPO's perfect lawn weed killer, are degraded naturally and do not pollute the environment. The exact dosages must be observed.
Use home remedies against plantain
In order to protect the environment and not endanger the useful garden insects, it is advisable to use proven household remedies.
Stinging nettle manure
Stinging nettle manure has proven itself as a biological weapon against pests and plant diseases for decades. The hobby gardener can also use it to control broadleaf plantain, but will have to be patient.
Making nettle manure: what is needed?
- ten liters of water
- fresh nettles (medium bin bag full)
- 500 grams of rock powder
- Bucket (ten litres)
- Spatula or wood for stirring
Preparation step by step
1. Crush nettles
2. Put nettles in the bucket
3. Add rock flour
4. Top up with water
5. Stir vigorously
6. Allow to rest let
The bucket should be about three quarters full with nettle leaves. The liquid manure has to rest for two weeks and ferment. An unpleasant odor develops, which could annoy the garden neighbors. In order to neutralize the odours, the bedrock meal is added.
If no more foam forms on the surface of the jar, fermentation is complete and the nettle manure is ready for use.
Before use, stir the mixture vigorously again. Nettle manure is mixed with the irrigation water in a ratio of 1:10. The plantain is generously wetted with it.
Water against plantain
The broad plantain appears to be a robust plant with its firm, almost palm-sized leaves. In its structure, however, it is quite vulnerable andis sensitive to the use of water.
There are different possible applications:
➩ Tap Water
To avoid damaging the surrounding grass, tap water is a good idea. If you flood the plants with water more often, this can damage their structure. However, this method is very tedious and not always crowned with success.
➩ Cooking Water
Boiling water works quickly and reliably, but it also damages surrounding plants and burns the lawn. Therefore, the method is primarily suitable for plantain that has spread in cracks and cracks.
➩ High Pressure
At a pressure of 100 bar and more, the plantain plant structure is destroyed. At the same time, the adjacent lawns are affected. To do this, the water jet must be aimed exactly at the weeds.
Fire against plantain
Fire is one of the oldest methods of natural weed control and can be used for particularly stubborn infestations. Use standard weed burners. These are easy to use and work like a conventional Bunsen burner.
The flame should be aimed at the plant for several minutes. In dry weather, large parts of the roots can also be reached.