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Hello, please could anyone advise how I can get rid of this contagious horsetail nightmare?

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  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I sort of crush it over gently with my shoe to bruise the surface a bit then spray it with glyphosate.  Leave it for two weeks, then respray any that are green.. repeat.  

    And search the forum, lots of different suggestions.  
    Utah, USA.
  • FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
    I just keep pulling it up everywhere it appears.  It does seem to get gradually less over time. 
  • MaddiMaddi Posts: 10
    I agree, just keep pulling it up.  Takes a long time but it eventually stops growing.  Don’t put it in the compost bin!
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    It seems to love invading open gravel areas and paving cracks. Weed membranes actively seem to encourage it! It doesn't appear to be as problematic in mature gardens with established shrub cover. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813

    EQUISETUM SCIRPOIDES


    Friends.

    I have placed a small pot of this in my new pond.

    ? Will it pose the same problems as mentioned above.

    Thanks.
    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    NewBoy2 said:

    EQUISETUM SCIRPOIDES


    Friends.

    I have placed a small pot of this in my new pond.

    ? Will it pose the same problems as mentioned above.

    Thanks.
    There's a few plants in the equisetum genus. 'Horse tail' Equisetum arvense is the invasive weed. I don't think Scirpoides is known as an invasive but always check regulations with pond plants.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The pond ones are fine. 
    I've had them in every pond I've had. The slightly bigger one than scirpoides. Always in a pot though.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • dion2u2002rYm-uId-dion2u2002rYm-uId- Posts: 1
    there are two ways i know to kill off horsetail / marestail, oddly as it sounds WD40 will kill it for good or keep the whole area soaking wet for a long period of time. water will drown out horsetail as it does not like too much water for too long or water logged areas.
  • mandyroberts99mandyroberts99 Posts: 235
    If you use Glyphosate, make sure its strong enough. I bought 5l of 480 g/l (strong stuff) and the instructions state the dilution required depending on the target. Too weak you will have to repeat, too strong its a waste - both bad for the environment. I realise now that 5l concentrate will last me 15-20 years as I do only use when I am beaten. For brambles it was 37ml/l, for lesser weeds it was half that. The Agrichem website is useful - they recommend this: Diamond Total Weed Killer 5L | Control Horsetail Weed (agrigem.co.uk)

    I have sent them a question on line and get a pretty quick answer
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Try diesel or 2-stroke.
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

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