Kurtail and other pesticides don't kill the root, just the top growth. They are, in effect, chemical strimmers. Repeat applications needed, but you can keep on top of it this way. Left untreated, most infestations will eventually grow back
There are accounts online that liming the soil really weakens it’s growth. I haven’t any experience of it myself as I’ve never (fingers crossed) had it in my garden ... but we do garden on chalk here.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
We have Mares Tail on the allotment, we just dig it up as much as possible. Leaving the ‘leaves’ in the sun this year has killed them but not if there is any earth on the root. You can never get rid of it but it gets less. We have noticed that it doesn’t grow in the grass paths which are usually regularly mowed, although not this year, so it has grown well there! We do not put it in the compost. Think that by keep taking off the tops, it can’t photosynthesise.
Some allotment holders have used Kurtail, works brilliantly for a month or so. Then they have to do it again! Total waste of money and I wouldn’t want to eat anything grown there!
We haven’t tried black plastic to smother it but used weed suppressant membrane which it grew through!
One of our allotments we have had for about 10years and that now has very little Mares Tail growing on it except the side next to someone who doesn’t dig it up! In our opinion, the only way to reduce its growth is to keep weeding.
I agree. I have recommended Kurtail on this forum before but now I wish I hadn't. This Summer it returned and I think the only thing to do is keep digging.
Mmmm. Again, searching this (surviving ice age burial), I get nothing except an older post of yours @Hostafan1 plus one other garden forum poster in 2009. I don't mind this stuff of legends, but so far that's what it seems.
Forget all the fossil and scientific evidence ; we all know that Mares Tail was created by some god to test the will and patience of gardeners 350m. years on .
Posts
I haven’t any experience of it myself as I’ve never (fingers crossed) had it in my garden ... but we do garden on chalk here.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Some allotment holders have used Kurtail, works brilliantly for a month or so. Then they have to do it again! Total waste of money and I wouldn’t want to eat anything grown there!
We haven’t tried black plastic to smother it but used weed suppressant membrane which it grew through!
One of our allotments we have had for about 10years and that now has very little Mares Tail growing on it except the side next to someone who doesn’t dig it up! In our opinion, the only way to reduce its growth is to keep weeding.