🌿 Horsetail (Marestail) – Turning a Problem Weed into Plant Feed
Horsetail, often called Marestail, is a tough and persistent perennial weed that is commonly found on allotments, gardens and neglected areas of land. For many gardeners it can be a real nuisance, but rather than simply throwing it away, you can put it to good use.
Horsetail has a high silica content, and this makes it particularly useful for making a homemade liquid feed that can help support plant health.
🪣 How to Make Horsetail Tea
The simplest method is to ferment the horsetail in water:
- Collect the horsetail and place it into a bucket or water butt with a lid.
- Put the plants into an old vegetable net, sack or similar container and weigh them down with stones or another heavy object. This keeps the horsetail fully submerged.
- Cover with water and replace the lid.
- Stir the mixture regularly during fermentation.
The fermentation process usually takes around 10 days to 3 weeks, depending on the temperature. In warmer weather it will ferment more quickly.
As the mixture ferments, it will produce bubbles and gas and, unsurprisingly, develop quite a strong smell! When the bubbling has stopped, the liquid is ready to use.
💧 Using Horsetail Feed
Strain the liquid before use and dilute it with water. As with any homemade plant feed, it is best to start with a weaker solution rather than risk overfeeding your plants.
Horsetail tea is traditionally used as a natural plant-strengthening treatment and is particularly valued for its silica content. It is sometimes used to help plants cope with fungal problems such as mildew, blackspot and rust.
♻️ Don’t Waste the Leftovers
Once you’ve strained the liquid, don’t throw away the remaining horsetail sludge.
Add it to your compost heap, where it will break down and contribute organic matter while helping to stimulate microbial activity.
🌱 From Weed to Resource
Horsetail may be one of the most unwelcome plants on an allotment, but it doesn’t have to go straight into the bin. By turning it into a homemade feed, you can make use of a troublesome weed and reduce the need for bought-in products.
Fresh Horsetail soaking.
Horsetail after soaking for 13 weeks
Close up of the horsetail after 13 weeks soaking
4 months soaking
6 months soaking