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Mare's tail

Teresa83Teresa83 Posts: 23
in Problem solving
Hello - does anyone have a cunning plan to get rid of Mare's tail or am I stuck with it forever?

Posts

  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    I get some odd bits of this come up. I bashed the stems then put a gel weekiller on using a protective glove and smeared it all over. Seemed to work as it died.

    For larger amounts i really dont know. 
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    How long do you count as forever? It's been around for over 350 million years already, the electricity you're using for your computer now could well be powered by coal derived from early horsetail deposits. I've just learned to accept mine. Hand weed the stuff in the wrong place, keep the spore heads from forming if you can (a bit pointless where I live sadly) and appreciate its prehistoric beauty in a mixed border.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • Teresa83Teresa83 Posts: 23
    Thanks - I actually quite like it but it's been left to run amok in the house we've just bought for about 5 years and seems like a mammoth task .. oh well, little and often I think!
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    Try the search option on the forum Teresa. It's been a widely discussed topic in the past. I had some success using Round-up mixed with a little washing-up liquid to hold it in contact with the plant for longer. Bruise the plant up a bit first.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I had it pretty much under control in my garden but next door had ignored theirs for 5 or 6 years. Last year they sold the house so they sprayed all the weeds a few times to make the place look tidier. This seems to have sent the plant into survival mode and it's now coming up everywhere including vigourous growth in my garden. So you can spray it but beware it might encourage it to spread.

    The technique for spraying is to tread on it and grind your foot before applying the spray. If the leaves don't look damaged then the spray won't penetrate. I prefer to use a weed barrier and hand weeding personally.

    Or maybe plant a prehistoric theme garden with ferns and palms and embrace it. B)
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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