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Marestail

GunStreetGirlGunStreetGirl Posts: 62
in Problem solving
I have found the dreaded marestail in my flowerbeds. Now I am well aware of the difficult (impossible) nature of it, but....I am wondering if I have a better chance of irradicating if it is a "new" plant.
We moved in the property last year and have put in flower beds where there was just lawn. Now these emerging mares tail are only in the beds, not at all in the lawn so far. Can I therefore assume they have arrived in the compost/manure we order in to create the beds?
A nightmare we are stuck with, but would you just pull, pull, pull daily?

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Yes, go around every day and pull anything you can see. If you do it often enough it will weaken it.
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    edited April 2021
    If you can also gently tease the root out as you pull it better than breaking it off, definitely a hands and knees job daily or every other day.
    It will be more difficult to get out if you have planted up the bed so either wait a while or lift your plants and pot them up for now.
    I used a strong dilution of ammonium sulphamate with a drop of washing up liquid to paint the ones i couldn't reach, bruising the plant first as it's got a waxy surface.
    If they start to appear in the lawn regular mowing keeps them down.
     Just a thought when did you move in last year? 


  • GunStreetGirlGunStreetGirl Posts: 62
    @K67 We moved in in September and there has been no sign of it until this last week where it has appeared in the beds. As I say, none in the lawn that I can see, and we have removed part of the lawn to create the beds.
    Unfortunately I have already planted several shrubs and some other plants.
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    edited April 2021
    It's quite possible it might have died back but if it was in the lawn mowing would have kept it in check and it might not have been visible, now is the time for its regrowth.
    If they are growing now and are brown with a bulbous top these carry seeds and it's vital you get them out before they fruit and send spores over the area.


    Photo in this thread https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1052758/horsetail#latest
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