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Horsetail

iceice Posts: 332
I had been in blissful ignorance that I didn't have this weed though was keeping an eye out on front drive as neighbours have it poking thru tarmac on their drive. Yesterday whilst reroofinf the shed I noticed a single strand about a foot tall. This was glosphated after we stood on it . There were a few more clps that got the same treatment. Then I noticed the stoned area. This is covered in weed surpressent fabric and stones and small clumps are growning. Also glosphated. These weren't there a month ago (maybe less time) is this new growth spread from next door or have I been blind? I've also been out thisoring and there are several patches in the grass (I'd never noticed these ) these had been cut but lawnmower previously and cuttings composted. One clump had the brown fertile shoot (sealed it in ziplovk bag) So I realise I have a battle (possibly never ending) but is there anything I should be doing or mustn't do? Can I put grass & horsetail clippings in compost? Isy compost which clearly had horsetail clippings safe to use? Any help or words and encouragement. . house and garden keep giving us these presents image so much for being new homeowner.
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  • GWRSGWRS Posts: 8,478

    Horsetail or sometimes called mare tail , really difficult weed to get rid of 

    would not put in compost bin personally , there are specialist weed killers just for it , not easy to find , got first lot of Internet , sorry can't remember name

     

  • iceice Posts: 332

    Ive treated first lot I found with glosphate after bashing them a bit. They don't look happy though new shoots nearby have appeared. Does it spread quickly or have I been blind. Sure there wasn't any a month ago!

     

    Bit worried bout compost as grass clippings went in there. Since found it in the grass image

     

    Realise I have a battle but would love to hear if anyone's won against marestail/horsetail.

     

     

    It appears to be spreading daily will keep trying though. Wonder if that's why previous stoned stoned the area!

  • GWRSGWRS Posts: 8,478

    image

    Hello this is the stuff I am using on horsetail , remember I took a picture of it for somebody else , I have 2 areas on bottom of allottment and you can see the difference between treated and untreated , will take a long time but seem to be winning

    There was another thread about this , seem to think it grows nicely under decking ect

    hope this helps  image

  • iceice Posts: 332
    Thank you. Realised not huge problem as some but lots if little shoots hoping that it'll get the message. Crushed and glosphated some and appears to have worked on some and not others. Will keep treating new sprouts (getting more daily image ) hopefully can manage or dissuade it. Heard you need to improve soil with lime and compost so that'll also be a another plan of attack. Just glad I know thanks to forum what to look out for.
  • teamleaderteamleader Posts: 17

    We have an abundance of this weed in the allotments and as previously mentioned it is awful stuff to get rid of. My garden is next to the allotments and over the years it has gradually spread to my garden. I tend to walk round the garden about June and after that and pull up the tails, I like to think it does weaken them. I can't use spray as it will kill the grass. In the allotments I've dug down 2 - 3ft and they still come back although not as strong. As mentioned I think there is spray that do kill it off but I think you need a licence for the chemical. I've read that you can do a good job on them if you crush them and use boiling water it kills them off?

  • ChandChand Posts: 11

    I have almost won the battle on my allotment. Ten years of pulling it up as soon as I spot it has definately undermined the plant enormously.

    Moved house last year, viewed in April and May - no problems, got keys at end of June to find foot high mares tail over the bottom third of the garden. This third is now a patio, having pulled up buckets and buckets of root we put a thick layer of weed control cloth down and paved. 

    Physical barriers control it a bit in my experience but it will just put out roots to neighbouring bits of land. 

    Personally havent found weed killer to be much use, I recommend daily inspection and careful removal, you need to be more persistent than it. 

    I wouldnt compost grass clippings that contain mares tail, not worth it.

    Good luck

  • GWRSGWRS Posts: 8,478

    Ice , sorry to say improving soil won't work 

    Also root can be as deep as 5 feet , if you cover with slabs  for example will just come out further away , unfortunately chemicals is the only way 

    best of luck image

  • kally  lukally lu Posts: 7

    yes,I do think herbicide chemical is  the best way to solve them.

  • iceice Posts: 332
    Argh clippings already in bin do I empty and start again. Suppose I could empty over already problem area.



    Def a neighbours spread but hopefully will beat it back
  • GWRSGWRS Posts: 8,478

    Ice , personally I would bag it up and take to local tip !image

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