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Once you have it in your garden, you quickly lose control of it - Giersch. We show how to get rid of it or how to use it alternatively.
Every one of us has certainly experienced it before: In the spring, the first weeds are weeded in the beds. The goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria) is also being diligently plucked out from between the favorite plants and one plans to put one's feet up for the next few weeks. But after just one or two weeks, the next leaves will sprout towards the sun, bursting with strength. What is this pesky weed's tireless fountain of youth?
Giersch forms a dense network of rhizomes. These are underground shoots from which the young shoots sprout again and again. The rhizomes of the goutweed are extremely vigorous and can spread rapidly. Of course, one would think that the spade and rigorous digging would do the trick and drive the umbellifer (Apiaceae) out of the garden. But even the divided rhizomes can still sprout, provided they have not been completely removed from the bed in detailed work. We'll show you how you can regain control of your bed or even grow fond of ground elder.
Goutweed - ways to get rid of him
Regular Removal
Repeatedly removing the leaves of ground elder weakens the plant and its underground rhizome system. Ultimately, sooner or later this leads to undersupply and death. But until you have achieved that, you need a lot of staying power in most cases.
Intensive tillage
If the goutweed is in an area where there are no other plants, consider carefully digging up. The plants must be removed with the complete rhizome and root system. Likewise, in extreme cases, the earth could be excavated and filled with new earth. However, if you do not know where the soil came from, it can just as easily be "contaminated" with parts of the rhizome or germinable seeds of goutweed.
Cover area
TheThe entire area should be covered with fleece and a layer of mulch about 10 cm thick. The permanent deprivation of light ensures that the rhizome dies off slowly but surely. But that takes about two years and even then there can still be germinable seeds in the soil, which will provide for the next generation of goutweed.
Plant potatoes
Where the ground elder grows, you can also plant potatoes to drive away the ground elder. The potato plants grow faster than the goutweed. This deprives them of nutrients and water. Eventually, they completely overshadow it and in this case too, the lack of light causes the goutweed to stunt. Pleasant side effect: the potato harvest.
Chemical pesticides
This should absolutely be the last weapon you use in your own garden to get rid of the growing weeds. In addition, when choosing the herbicide, it should be noted that weed killers that are effective against common weeds do not really help with ground elder. Parts of the rhizomes usually survive and can sprout again unimpressed. However, there are special home garden remedies available on the market that are more promising in the fight against ground elder.
Giersch - alternative uses
Giersch can also be seen from a different perspective. In the Middle Ages, for example, the umbelliferae were cultivated specifically because of their avoidable effectiveness against gout and rheumatism. However, its healing power could not be confirmed. But what is certain is that it can boast high levels of iron, potassium, carotene and vitamin C. In combination with its spicy taste reminiscent of parsley, it is also ideal as a salad vegetable. Cooked, it is traded as an adequate substitute for spinach from your own garden. In principle, however, only young, fresh leaves should be used. These should also be harvested before flowering. With increasing age groundweed can have a laxative effect and the leaves also become fibrous. The flowering can theoretically be extended by pinching out. However, if some of the above-ground shoots are removed again and again, this also promotes new growth of the rhizome buds.
Ways to use groundweed in the kitchen
- as leafy greens in salads
- cooked as an alternative to spinach
- in a spicy herb spread
- processed into pesto
- as a component in a green herb smoothie
- Goutweed can be frozen fresh and is therefore available all year round as required
Giersch can be much more than annoying. But now you should not just plant goutweed in your possibly goutweed-free garden. If you also want to harvest the leafy vegetables at home for the fresh salad, a rhizome barrier is advisable. Dig this barrier, which is supposed to protect against the uncontrolled growth of the underground rhizomes, a good 50 cm into the ground and let a few centimeters look out of the bed at the top. Of course, it would be even safer if you grew the undemanding plant in a pot. Make sure that the seed cannot spread uncontrollably and that the goutweed can be found in various other places in the garden. This way you can be sure that in a few years you won't have to pluck out the unwelcome groundweed from your beloved garden beds week after week.
