the essentials in brief
- The mother plant from Gundermann should best be done by hand or with Weed cutter or hoe to be ripped out
- Gundermann is not destroyed by mowing the lawn
- Gundermann is a medicinal herb that is used, among other things, for stomach problems, coughs, sore throats and for wound healing
- Gundermann likes heavy, moist soils with a slightly acidic pH
Fight Gundermann
The Gundelrebe is a shallow root and develops long runners that crawl on the ground and form side shoots every eight to 15 centimeters. These side shoots grow upright and form flowers. The plant can spread through the creeping shoot axes, which are rooted at many nodes. A main sprout can reach a length of up to two meters under optimal site conditions.
also read
- Gundermann's heyday begins in spring
- Combat Gundermann or Gundelrebe effectively
- This is what the flower of the medicinal plant Gundermann looks like
This is how the Gundermann winters:
- Plant is evergreen
- Wintering with two-leaved parts of the shoot
- Rosette leaves also overwinter
Remove by hand
Due to the shallow roots, manual weeding is easy to do. If the soil is compacted, you can open the areas around a mother plant with a Digging fork loosen up. However, depending on the extent of the plant, this measure can be very time-consuming. If parts of the shoot are overlooked and left behind, the plant can spread again. Therefore, it is extremely important to be thorough.
How to find the mother plant:
- Follow the runners to the origin
- Look for a strong plant with rosette leaves
- Find the main plant with numerous runners
Remove with a weed cutter and hoe
Aids that are more back-friendly are tools that you can use to get the plant out of the ground. Weed killers are sometimes referred to as dock killers because they remove deep-rooted plants with relatively little effort. The devices are equipped with two metal tips that are stuck into the earth. The plants and their roots are then levered out of the ground. A weed killer works just as well for shallow rooters like the Gundermann. You can use the hoe to tackle the unwanted plant in the bed.
What you should do without
If you take a closer look at the growth and ecology of the Gundelrebe, you will quickly be able to distinguish between nonsensical and suitable control measures. As soon as remnants of the runners remain on the lawn, the Gundermann can spread further.
Tips
Do not use special products from the trade that are only intended to combat Gundermann. Such agents are usually ineffective and damage the lawn.
Destruction by mowing the lawn is not possible
The chances of success in fighting the already well-established Gundermann with the lawnmower are rather slim. This measure suppresses competing plants, so that the ground vine definitely benefits from mowing. If the mother plant has not yet expanded, it can be weakened by mowing it regularly. She is sensitive to regular walking on the lawn. This is why the herbaceous plant prefers to grow in places that are mowed but not used for other purposes.
Digression
A focal point of the Gundermann's location
Control by scarifying makes no sense
Against Gundermann in the lawn does not help mowing or scarifying
The term scarifying is made up of the terms “vertical” and “cut”. It could be translated as “cut vertically”, because that is exactly what is done when scarifying. The rotating blades cut a few millimeters deep into the thatch. The knives usually do not reach the grass roots.
The measure proves to be counterproductive in the control of weeds which form stolon. The Gundermann's crawling instincts above ground are also dismembered. However, it is even more difficult to remove them from the surface afterwards. If any sprouts remain, they will continue to grow and form new mother plants.
Do not use chemical agents
There are chemical total weed killers that are highly effective and can also remove stubborn weeds. Such funds are often permitted for areas used for horticultural purposes. The plants must be completely wetted so that an optimal absorption of the active ingredient is guaranteed. As a result, cultivated plants also come into contact with the toxic substances. Such means select between monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, but not between unwanted and deliberately planted flowers.
Preventive measures
The Gundermann can only develop well under certain environmental factors. If there is enough sunlight, the plant forms numerous branches. If it is shaded, the plant reduces the formation of branches. Instead, it invests the energy in the formation of leaf mass. The fine roots develop faster and more numerous in nutrient-rich soils than in nutrient-poor substrates.
| measure | effect | |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn use | Increase pedaling load | disturbance |
| Fertilize | refrain from fertilization | Nutrient deprivation |
| Lawn clippings | remove after mowing | Nitrogen deprivation |
| planting | sow competing flowering plants | Shading |
| disposal | Dry weed plants on stone slabs before composting | Desiccation of the seeds and roots |
Tips
Provide a dense Sward, because Gundermann has a hard time here.
Benefits of the Gundelrebe
If the Gundermann has only spread to certain areas in the garden, it can increase the ornamental value and have a positive effect on biodiversity. Spread out selectively, the herbaceous plant does not bother, because a healthy and well-developed lawn can keep the common vine in check in a natural way. You can also use the herb in the kitchen.
Important nectar plant
Gundermann is not a weed for everyone
Ground vines bloom between April and July. This early flowering period makes them important sources of food. The herbaceous plants are an important source of nectar in spring with little flowers. The flowers are approached by numerous insects, which ensure fertilization. In total, the Gundermann serves around 30 different species as a source of food.
Which insects fly on the Gundermann:
- Bees: Fur bees and bumblebees
- Two-winged: Hoverflies, wool floats
- Butterflies: Aurora butterfly, lemon butterfly, green vein white butterfly
Medicinal herb
The Gundelrebe has numerous areas of application in folk medicine. A tea helps against upset stomach and loss of appetite, diarrhea and complaints of the bile, liver and kidneys. The extract can be used to gargle with inflammation of the mouth and throat. Pastes are used externally to treat wounds.
The Gundermann is said to have these effects:
- relieves coughs and respiratory problems
- Applied externally, it promotes wound healing
- has a slightly diuretic and astringent effect
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Culinary herb
The Gundermann is rich in bitter substances, tannins, vitamin C and minerals. Its leaves have a slightly pungent and bitter taste, which is why they should be carefully dosed. As a herb, Gundelrebe refines pan dishes such as fried potatoes or pancakes. It can be used in game meat dishes or for wild herb salads, herb quark and herb butter.
Recipe for a summer salad:
- various wild herbs like sorrelChop, chervil, yarrow, gundermann and ground elder into small pieces
- Cut the onion, garlic clove and chives into small pieces
- Mix the herb salt with fruit vinegar, pumpkin seed oil and olive oil and refine with sour cream
- Pour the sauce over the salad and stir well
Pointer plant
The Gundelrebe is a typical plant on soils with a good supply of nitrogen, calcium and phosphate. It grows mainly on heavy soils with a good water supply. The Gundermann is most often found on soils with a pH value between 5.5 and 7.5. However, slightly acidic soils do not cause the herb any problems. The plant does not tolerate salt.
frequently asked Questions
Where does the Gundermann appear?
The Gundelrebe is a pointer plant that indicates nitrogen-rich and fresh to moist soils. Although it is dependent on light, it can assert itself between dense and tall growing competition from perennials. In order to use the amount of light optimally, the plant invests a lot of energy in the formation of leaf mass. In addition, it often grows taller in shady areas. The Gundermann is typical for farm meadows and multi-cut lawns with a good supply of nutrients.
What helps against Gundermann in the lawn?
Gundermann is extremely resilient and can only be removed through thorough weeding. If remains of shoot axes remain, new plants form quickly. Use a weeding cutter to pull the mother plant out of the ground. Carefully pull the above-ground runners out of the lawn and make sure that none of the shoots tear off. Regular step loads mean that the Gundermann does not spread any further.
How was Gundermann seen in the past?
Long gone are the times when the Gundelrebe was ascribed magical powers. As one of the nine Maundy Thursday herbs, the Gundermann should protect against diseases all year round. Leaves were baked in plum cake batter on St. John's Day and added to beer as a spice.
Pets should also benefit from the positive properties. When chickens started brooding, a wreath made of Gundermann was placed around the nest. This should protect against demons. By adding Gundermannkraut to cow feed, people hoped for better milk production.
Why is Gundermann not only a weed but also an ornamental plant?
If the soil moisture is sufficiently high and the soil is well supplied with nutrients, the Gundermann will also thrive in shady conditions. Due to its long runners, it forms dense carpets that stay green even in winter. This property makes the herb a popular underplanting in locations that are otherwise difficult to colonize by other flowering plants.
Are there cultivars of Gundermann?
While many hobby gardeners have to think about measures to combat the Gundermann, other nature lovers bring attractive cultivated forms of the plant into the garden. Varieties with two-tone foliage such as Glechoma hederacea 'Variegata' are particularly popular. They can be combined with various spring and summer blossoms and embellish hanging baskets and Flower boxes.(€ 149.00 at Amazon *)