Treat Horsetail before paving over?

droogie

Hello

I'm looking for some tips on this as the builders I have spoken to can't answer.

We have horsetail in our front garden growing between cracked concrete. Since it's not a good look we want to repave/tarmac/concrete over.

My questions are, should we attempt to treat the horsetail before we do or will covering it keep it in check, and what will cover it most effectively (or in other words - what is it least likely to grow through!)

Thanks, I can find lots of info on the evil weed but nothing about how to bury it

valk_scot

It will break through the new concrete or tarmac eventually. And there's nothing on the market (nor has there ever been) that will kill it 100%. The best you can do is bruise it a bit and give it a good dose of glyphosate before covering it over, then cross your fingers. Concrete would be best though, it will come back through paving or tarmac before the end of this year.

Mollymoonlight

I'm with Val on that, although they do say that if you keep planting turnips in a field of horsetail the lack of light will eventually kill it off, so paving over it should help. You'll just need to make sure you have good light blocking weed control under it to stop it growing between the cracks.

Davesnave

Treating marestail/ horsetail is possible, but not with standard weedkillers. There is a dedicated product, Kurtail (used to be Kibosh) which can be Googled easily and costs around £25 + P&P.

While this is a professional product, it's legal to use it on your own property. You would also need a suitable sprayer with a lance + rubber gloves to apply it safely.

droogie

Thanks very much for your replies. I think we'll zap it and concrete (then move house!!)