Tony & Pam, If it's tea for human consumption you're planning on, I have read that it is wise to ONLY collect the horsetail after the first 4-6 weeks of growth after appearing in the spring otherwise it can be toxic to humans. I don't know if this is also true for making compost tea.
Jane ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anthony Nelson-Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, May 18, 2002 11:21 AM Subject: Re: Horsetail/Equisetum Arvense Steve - Pulling horsetail shoots damages the plant? I should be so lucky! I approve of this plant in the right place, but not overwhelming my veg patch. I've dug down three feet into my subsoil (solid glacial clay) without coming to the end of its stolons - I've read that they can extend downwards for several yards. Every spring I pull each shoot as it appears, and appears, and appears....; after a decade or more, they are as vigorous as ever. Of course, if I'd _wanted_ them there.... Naturally, I dry the best leafy shoots for tea making. Tony N-S.
