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Top Questions About Yarrow

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Questions About Yarrow

  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    January 20, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    In addition to its use as an herbal tea remedy for fighting off colds and flu, or its appearance in fresh or dry flower arrangements, yarrow can indeed be used as both a fertilizer and compost activator. Adding yarrow leaves to your compost pile will speed up the decomposition process, even in small amounts (It's believed that just one finely chopped yarrow leaf can produce the same results as a wheelbarrow full of compost). As fertilizer, the essential oils from its chopped leaves can boost the quality of your garden soil.

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    January 24, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Just the finely chopped or crushed leaves should be sufficient.

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  • Answered by
    kiwigeorge on
    January 24, 2011
    A.

    HI Nikki and thanks for the reply, my task for today is to harvest a bag of Yarrow from a patch on the edge of the bush near home. I note that the roots of Yarrow are similar to those of Coriander and from my cooking book notes, the roots of coriander are are very potent and i wonder if the same aplies to Yarrow. Do you have any information on the identity of the chemical/s in Yarrow which make it so potent?
    Regards
    George

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    January 25, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Actually, there are some products on the market, such as Q.R. Compost Activator (made in England by Chase Organics), that contain yarrow. This plant also has a long history of use in herbal medicine.

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  • Answered by
    kiwigeorge on
    January 25, 2011
    A.

    Ni Nikki, thanks again for the info and "introducing" me to Chase Organics, their web site is great. I collected a sack of yarrow yesterday, chopped and added to my current half built compost heap, Today's task is to cover it with some old compost and water the pile with undiluted kelp seaweed and comfrey brew. I completed an Organic Horticulture certificate two years ago as I had to change my gardens to No Dig as a heart attack has robed me of the ability to dig and I needed to expand my organic know how. The WWW has been great but it is the practical advice from organic gardeners like yourself which is the greatest source of help. Task 2 for today is to collect more seaweed to dry out before chopping in my mulcher and soaking some in a sack in liquid manure bin #2 and mulching my tomatoes with the rest as I find the slow release of seaweed constituents keeps most of the bugs away. Thanks again for the help,
    Regards
    Kiwi George

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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    June 4, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    The easiest way to to make sure that you cut the seed heads off after they fade. Most cultivated varieties of yarrow do not become invasive, but common yarrow (the white kind) can become invasive and you need to be diligent about removing seed heads to keep it in check.

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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    July 5, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    That is up to you. A weed is really only a plant you don't want in your flower bed. If you like the plant, leave it. If you don't like it, pull it out.

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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    June 19, 2012
    Certified Expert
    A.

    It is likely the plants are being affected by aphids. They are very small insects that suck the sap out of the plant. The ants use aphids like cows, and will "milk" them for the sweet honeydew they excrete. The ants will set up a colony near the aphid population to make the trip to care for them shorter.

    This article will help with the aphids:
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/wilting-tomato-plants.htm

    Once the aphids are gone, this article will help with the ants:
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/get-rid-of-ants.htm

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  • Answered by
    AnnsGreeneHaus on
    June 24, 2013
    A.

    Yarrow, along with other flowers, fade as they age.

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