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horsetail control

ian cameron dromoreian cameron dromore Posts: 29
in Problem solving
I have an ever encroaching horsetail which I break up to expose more of the plant and spray weed killer on but it keeps coming back and spreading. It is impractical to dig it out so I was wondering what other options I have

Posts

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532
    There isn't anything else if you do it by hand you can spread it and you would have the dig deep. Use a strong weedkiller late summer bruise the stems so it will go in. It will take years to get rid of it. Cover other plants so it won't go on them and choose a day when it isn't windy.image
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,140

    I agree with Logan. 

    Also, keep an eye out for the fruiting bodies which will spread spores over your garden.  Pull them up and bag and bin them as soon as they appear.

    image

     


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,015

    A specific treatment has been recommended in previous threads on the same topic.  Try a search on "horse tail" or "mares tail".

  • Zoomer44Zoomer44 Posts: 3,267

    It's a major problem on my allotment plot. I'd do as Dove suggests, as soon as it appears use a trowel to dig out as much of the root as you can before it spores.  

    Horse tail still contniues to grow on the edges of the plot where I've been less vigourous at digging it up but the fruit/veg beds are now relatively clearimage 

     

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