Maybe it's because of their wine-making heritage, but the French are obsessed wi th fermenting various plants into

special insecticidal, bactericidal, and fungic idal brews to use on...other plants. Remember the article on brewing an extract of stinging nettles in this column?

Well, the nettle is the undisputed queen of the French gardener's vegetal fermen tations. But at least a score of other plants are used as well, each for a very specific purpose which apparently has been evolved by experience. Some of them-such as pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium, main photo above) you may have use d for some time without realizing it. This plant would go unrecognized by most g ardeners, yet it is the source of commercial organic pyrethrum, a well-known ins ecticide. The exciting thing is that now, scientists in France are beginning to evaluate t hese concoctions in a serious way, and to standardize the best practices for pro ducing and using them. Some plants, such as garlic, are not fermented but rather used in decoction (analogous to making tea) or maceration (in oil or water). The basic method of fermentation is simple enough, which is not to say anything goes. First you need a container made of a nonreactive material. A 50-gallon pla stic garbage can works fine. You need to cover your container during fermentatio n, but not tightly, or it might explode! Either punch some holes in your garbage can lid or cover the can with a piece of burlap or other cloth. While you can u se smaller containers, 50 gallons is an optimal homeowner-scale size that is big enough to help moderate temperature extremes during fermentation. An unheated garage or outbuilding is a good place to conduct the fermentation, t he speed of which is temperature dependent. The higher the temperature--up to a point--the faster the fermentation. The water you use is very important. The ideal source of water is rain, being fr ee of calcareous minerals or additives such as chlorine which can retard or stop fermentation. If you must use hard well water, add a bit of vinegar to it to lo wer the pH. City water should be allowed to stand several days to allow the chlo rine to evaporate before you use it for your extracts. The duration of fermentation can range from a few days to a couple of weeks. Whe n the mixture stops bubbling when you stir or otherwise move the contents, ferme ntation is complete. Check your brew daily. It is imperative that you filter your extract. Doing so stops the fermentation f rom going too far, and also prevents globs of stuff from plugging up your spraye r or watering can when you apply the brew. Use a very fine strainer lined with c heesecloth, an old clean teeshirt, anything short of a coffee filter or other fi lter paper, which filters out too much. Store your extract in stainless steel or plastic containers in a cool place, aro und 40-50 degrees F being ideal. French folks like to use 5-gallon plastic wine containers, appropriately enough. While a wine cellar is also an excellent place to store your extracts, make sure to label carefully! Once you have your made your extract or infusion, you of course need to apply it . Most often, you spray it on, just as you would a conventional pesticide or fol iar fertilizer, taking care to cover the undersides of leaves. But some remedies are applied as a soil drench. This is best accomplished with a good old-fashion ed watering can. Okay, now that you know the basics, here is the roster of beneficial plants and

how to use them.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) Perennial plant with silvery, aromatic foliage. Action. Repellent, especially against cabbage butterflies and codling moth on ap ples during period of egg-laying. Fungicidal against rust on currants. Fermented extract (2 lbs. of fresh plant material to 2.5 gallons water) Undilute d for rust on currants. Undiluted sprayed on soil to repel slugs. Diluted to 10% against codling moth and cabbage worm. Note: Do not throw detritus of fermentat ion on compost, as it will slow its breakdown. Fernleaf yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Perennial plant with ferny, silvery, aromatic foliage and white flowers. Active ingredients: pro-azulene, a volatile oil; isovalerianic and salicylic aci ds (salicylic acid is aspirin, which is why a tea of this plant reduces pain and fever in humans.) Action. Promotes compost breakdown; potentiates fungicides. Cold maceration. 1 oz. of dried flowers in 1 quart of water; macerate 24 hours. Add to fungicide treatment, such as horsetail or tansy. Garlic (Allium sativum) Needs no explanation, except to say that garlic is perennial if left in place. Active ingredients. Sulfur-containing compounds. Action. Insecticide and fungicide. Preparation. In decoction: chop 4 oz. peeled cloves and add to 1 quart water. Br ing to boil, cover and remove from heat, infuse for one hour. Strain and use wit hout diluting. Used as a soil drench, excellent to prevent damping off of seedli ngs. In oil maceration: Place 4 oz. of peeled cloves and 2 T. linseed oil in a m ixer or blender and pulverize. Filter, washing the filtrate (and mixing in) 1 qt . rainwater. Store one week before using. Adding a bit of soap as a surfactant b efore spraying is useful. Effective against aphids and mites. Note: This is a great use for spare garlic at the end of the winter storage seas on, which is beginning to sprout and taste unpalatable.

Cocklebur (Arctium lappa). Infamous biennial weed. Active ingredients. Tanins, mucilage, resins, sulfate and potassium phosphate, c alcium, and magnesium. Action. Fungicide effective against mildew on potatoes. Preparation. Use the whole plant before flowering. The root has the most active ingredients. In fermented extract, use 2 lbs. fresh plant to 2.5 gal. of water. Attention: strong odor! Filter and dilute to 5% before spraying on potato foliag e. Also, just pick the leaves and use them as a mulch on your potatoes. Nasturtium (Trapaeolum majus). Flowering annual. Active ingredients. Sulfur-containing compounds. Action. Fungicidal against canker on tree fruits. Insectifuge against white fly (repellent). Preparation. In infusion, 2 lbs. fresh leaves in 5 quarts of water. Boil water, add leaves, infuse like tea one hour. Use undiluted on fruit trees. Dilute to 30 % to spray tomatos against mildew.

Comfreys (Symphytum officinalis, S. x uplandicum). Flowering perennial. Active ingredients. Allantoin, which stimulates cell multiplication. This is why allantoin is such an excellent ingredient for skin creams, especially for chapp ed skin.

Action.Comfrey is a powerful stimulator of all cell multiplication, e.g. growth. It stimulates microbial growth in the soil, and in compost, thus acting as an ' activator'. Comfrey stimulates seedling development as well as foliar growth. Preparation. In fermented extract, use 2 lbs. of fresh leaves in 2.5 gal. of wat er. As a soil drench, dilute to 20%; as a foliar fertilizer and seedling fertili zer, dilute to 5%. Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris). Hardy perennial. Active ingredient. Euphorbone. Action. Repels moles and voles, but must be prepared and sprayed to be effective . Having the plant on your property does not suffice. Preparation. In fermented extract, harvest the stems and leaves; the terminals h ave the most active ingredient, from April to October. Caution! The milky sap of this plant causes skin irritations! Wear long-cuffed gloves to protect your han ds and arms. Use 2 lbs. fresh plant material per 2.5 gals. of water. Spray aroun d cultivated areas. Bracken fern and male fern. (Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris felix-mas). Perenni al plant. Action. Insecticide and insectifuge. Active ingredients. Gallic and acetic acids; tannin; cyanogenic heterosides; pot assium; aldehydes transformed to methaldehydes after fermentation. Preparation. In fermented extract, 2 lbs of fresh leaves to 2.5 gal. of water. M ay be fermented simultaneously with nettle or horsetail. Dilute to 10% before sp raying. Effective against some pests of potato and grape, very effective against wooly aphid. Note: bracken fern is indigenous in many areas, especially in well -drained acid soils, and is often considered invasive, as it is rhizomatous.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Flowering perennial. Active ingredients. Over 250 different compounds! Action. Insectifuge, insecticide. Preparation. In fermented extract, 2 lbs. of fresh plant material per 2.5 gal. o f water, dilute to 10% before using. For dried material, use 7 oz. In simple infusion, use 4 oz. of fresh plant material in 1 qt. of water, or 2/3 oz. of dried plant material per quart. Note: If you live in a cool climate, your lavender will be less potent than that grown in a hot climate. Double the quantities or use dried plant material from a southern source.

English ivy (Hedera helix). Perennial vine. Active ingredient. Heteroside which is liberated during fermentation. Action. Insectifuge and insecticide against white fly, spider mites, and aphids. Preparation. In fermented extract, use 2 lbs. chopped leaves in 2.5 gal. of wate r. In observing fermentation, don't confuse the foam caused by the saponins in t he leaves with the gas bubbles of fermentation. Dilute to 5% before spraying. Be ekeepers in the 18th century rubbed their hands with ivy to protect themselves f rom bee stings. Caution! The extract is toxic and must be kept out of the reach of children. Also, many people are allergic to the sap of ivy and/or to the fine hairs on the reverse of the leaves. Wear gloves to protect yourself. Lemon balm. (Melissa officinalis). Perennial aromatic culinary and medicinal her b. Active ingredient. Many aromatic compounds. Action. Insectifuge against aphids, mosquitos, white fly, and ants. Preparation. In infusion, 2 oz. of fresh plant in 1 qt. of water. Allow to cool, filter, and spray without diluting. Note: Do not use on seedling beds as it can

prevent germination of seedlings.

Peppermint. (Mentha piperita) Perennial aromatic culinary and medicinal herb. Active ingredients. Many aromatic compounds. Action. Insectifuge and insecticide against aphids. Preparation. In infusion, 4 oz. of fresh plant in 1 qt. of water. Allow to cool, filter, and spray undiluted. In fermented extract, 2 lbs. of fresh plant to 2.5 gal. of water. Ferments extre mely fast. Dilute to 10% before using. Note: Impedes germination so don't use on seedling beds. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Perennial weed. Active ingredients. A cocktail of ingredients still poorly analyzed but includin g formic acid, as well as iron, nitrogen, and many trace minerals. Acts as an im munostimulant for plants. Action. Strongly stimulant to both microbial and plant growth, thus a compost ac tivator as well as fertiliser. Insectifuge and sometimes insecticide against aph ids, mites, and other pests. Preparation. Use of the whole plant before flowering. Studies have shown that in cluding the roots adds a fungicidal action to the extract. In fermented extract (the famous purin d'ortie), 2 lbs. of fresh plant in 2.5 gal. of water, fermente d for a few days only. Dilute to 20% before using as soil drench or foliar feed. Use full strength as a natural herbicide (it kills with 'fertilizer burn' becau se it is so rich). Soak bareroot plants for 30 minutes in the pure extract or fo r 12 hours in a 20% dilution before planting to stimulate rapid establishment an d vigor. The nettle reigns supreme among plants for fermentation in France. The fermented extract is sold commercially in garden centers, and clubs and associations of n ettle fanatics exist throughout France. Needless to say perhaps, but wear gloves when handling nettles. It's not for nothing they're called 'stinging.' Horsetail. (Equisetum arvense). Perennial plant and medicinal herb. Active ingredients. Diverse alkaloids, nicotinic acid, silica. Action. Insectifuge, preventive fungicide, plant tonic and growth stimulant. Preparation. In decoction, boil 1 lb. of fresh plant with 5 qts. of water for 1 hour, allow to infuse 12 hours, filter and dilute to 20%. In fermented extract, 1/2 lb. of dried plant in 2.5 gal. of water. Dilute to 5% before using. Horsetail, along with nettle and fern, form the Big Three among medicinal plants for plants, according to the French. I remember my Swiss grandmother gathering horsetail and drying it in pillowcases for use in astringent poultices. Pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium, main photo above). Perennial. Active ingredient. Pyrethrins. Action. Insecticide against aphids, cabbage fly, whitefly, carrot fly, and other s. Does not hurt bees. Preparation. Harvest the flowers when open, and dry them. In infusion, use 1 oz. in 2 qts. of water. Filter when cool and spray undiluted. In fermented extract, use 3 oz. in 2.5 gal. of water. Dilute to 20%. Spray after sundown or in very e arly morning.

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) Perennial culinary herb. Active ingredients. Sulfuric heteroside, glucosinolate. Action. Fungicide against blackspot on cherries.

Preparation. In infusion, 12 oz. of fresh plant material (leaves and roots chopp ed) in 2 1/2 gal. of water. Filter when cool and spray undiluted. In fermented e xtract, 4 oz. of chopped root in 2.5 gal. of water. Use full strength on seedlin gs for damping off.

Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum). Perennial potager plant. Active ingredients. Oxalic acid as salt of calcium. Action. Insectifuge against aphids, caterpillars, and other larvae. Repulsive to herbivores. Preparation. In cold maceration, use 1 lb. of chopped leaves in 3 quarts of wate r; allow to soak 24 hours before filtering. Use full strength. This is a great w ay to use rhubarb leaves as you eat the stalks.

Rue (Ruta graveolens). Perennial herb. Active ingredients. Tannins, heterosides, malic acid, glucosides, and others. Action. Insecticide and repulsive. Preparation. Harvest fresh leaves and stems before flowering. In fermented extra ct, 2 lbs. of fresh plant material in 2.5 gal. of water fermented for 10 days. D ilute to 20%. Repels mice, chipmunks, and other chewers. Spray against aphids. Dockweed (Rumex obtusifolius). Perennial weed. Active ingredients. Have not been studied. Action. Fungicide against canker on apples and pears. Preparation. In infusion, 2 lbs. fresh leaves in 5 qts. boiling water. Filter wh en cool, spray full strength on cankers. Treat young trees preventatively. Sprin g is best time.

Soapwort Saponaria officinalis). Flowering perennial. Active ingredients. Saponins. Action. Insecticide, insectifuge. Preparation. In infusion, 4 oz. fresh material in 1 qt. boiling water. Filter wh en cool and spray undiluted. In fermented extract, 2 lbs. fresh plant material i n 2.5 gal. of water. Dilute to 10% before using.

Sage. (Salvia officinalis). Perennial herb. Active ingredients. Monoterpenones, including thujone, camphor, and others, alde hydes, coumarin. Action. Insectifuge, fungicide. Preparation. In infusion for insectifuge, 4 oz. of fresh plant material in 1 qt. boiling water. Filter when cool and use full strength. In fermented extract, 2 lbs. of fresh leaves and terminals in 2.5 gal. of water, diluted to 10%, against mildew on potatoes. Common elderberry (Sambucus nigra). Large shrub to small tree.

Active ingredients. Sambucine. Action. Powerful repellant; fungicide. Preparation. In decoction, 2 lbs. of leaves soaked for 24 hours in 2.5 gal. of w ater, then boiled for 30 minutes. Spray undiluted against aphids, beetles, cater pillars. In fermented extract, use 2 lbs. fresh leaves in 2.5 gal. of water. Use undiluted against shelf fungus infections on trees.

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare). Perennial plant (invasive in sandy soils). Active ingredients. Not studied. Action. Insectifuge, insecticide, fungicide against rust and mildew. Preparation. In fermented extract, 2 lbs. of fresh plant material in 2.5 gal. of water. Use nondiluted against cabbage fly. In infusion, 1 oz. of flowers in 1 q t. of boiling water. Filter when cool and spray undiluted against aphids, mildew , and rust. Caution: don't throw residues on compost as tansy inhibits its break down. This season, why not experiment with this new (old) dimension of organic treatme nts? It's not only we humans who stand to benefit from medicinal herbs. The powe r of plants can come to the rescue of fellow plants as well!