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A nightmare with marestail!

alex.tartualex.tartu Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hello all. 

We've just moved in to our first owned home and now have a wee garden that we're transforming from a tired old lawn to something a little more interesting. 

One problem we've inherited is that of marestail. After a few months, it's started to come up through our raised beds, as well as any other gaps it can find.

I'm aware that it can be easy to make the problem worse, but I'm finding the information out there a bit contradictory. For example, this from the RHS website:

"Shallow, occasional weeding is not effective and can make the problem worse, as the plant can regrow from any small pieces left behind. However, removing shoots as soon as they appear above the ground can reduce infestation if carried out over a number of years."

I've been cutting them with a knife at around an inch below the surface, as and when they come through. Am I making it worse? I can't figure it out?!

Thanks in advance, 

Alex 

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I just rip them out with as much root as possible. It seems to be pretty effective at controlling the spread but I've found the roots way down in the ground while digging out a pond and there's no way to really kill the stuff. I kept on top of it for years but it creeps back in from neighbouring properties so I've just learned to live with it and weed it out like every other weed. It actually looks quite good in a 'wild' border though.
    By the way it's horsetail not marestail. Marestail is a similar aquatic plant.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    I also remove as much root as I can by pulling gently at the base - you can extract several inches of root by this method. It needs light to grow, so if you remove the top growth before it gets very big then it will inevitably get weaker. Covering bare earth to keep out the light will also work by forcing it to waste energy in a vain attempt to reach the light.
  • alex.tartualex.tartu Posts: 3
    Oh, thank you for the correction!

    I agree that it's not an unattractive plant. I'm most precious over the vegetable beds. 

    It sounds like I'm okay to keep digging them out, then. 
  • alex.tartualex.tartu Posts: 3
    Thanks Alan. It's a war of attrition then! 
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    It’s regularly and widely also called Marestail so although it’s strictly incorrect people will know what you are referring too.

    In my experience it can be controlled but it is a challenge. I saw no success with just pulling it up as the roots are deep down and will just regenerate. If you break a bit off that will also generate growth so you can easily end up compounding the situation. They don’t need light either. Take a look on google and you’ll see many images of them bursting up through solid concrete and pavements for example.

    I would suggest you bruise the plant by scrunching it in your hands or treading on it then apply round-up or similar in a solution of washing up liquid. This helps keep the weed killer in contact with the plant for longer and therefore being more effective. 
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