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Mares tail

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  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    And you can buy the best chemical treatment, because the government haven't shut the door on that just yet. They will, eventually, I expect. However, alternatives that work are available, if you'd prefer those.

    The bigger problem is preventing re-infestation from next door. As I've said, my experience with this weed is virtually nil (had a small bit where I used to live) but I understand the roots go very deep, so I wonder whether a root barrier system, as for bamboo etc, would be worthwhile.


    Anyone like to comment on that?
  • Farway
    Farway Posts: 14,641 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Homepage Hero Name Dropper
    Apparently roots can go down over 6 feet once established, so a root barrier could be more like a nuclear bunker excavation and could even need shoring up while digging down. 'elf n Safety

    As this weed, or it's cousins, have been around since Dinosaurs grazed on it we can assume it's a survivor what ever you try
    Eight out of ten owners who expressed a preference said their cats preferred other peoples gardens
  • spadoosh
    spadoosh Posts: 8,732 Forumite
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    Out of the hundreds and hundreds of them ive removed, i havent once managed to remove a single one cleanly. Theyre always far too deep to remove. Id say doing it that way is a complete waste of time.

    I thought about just going OTT with the weed killer but the product ive got specifically says only to use twice in any given growing season.

    Id say the product ive used has killed about 80% of the mares tail that was there with one application (quite liberal application) although its only been one and obviously its not had an opportunity to regrow.

    I walked over it to break up the skin and then applied weed killer. Covered with a tarp and 4 weeks later it was only a bit of the mares tail that is still around, every other kind of weed is really dead.
  • harrys_nan
    harrys_nan Posts: 1,777 Forumite
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    It's all in my heavily planted borders, so I think I would have to dig everything up to treat the mare's tail but as next door to me are not gardeners and that is where it's coming from, I cannot see I am going to be able to control it. It does seem rife around where I live now
    Thanks everyone for all the input
    Treat other's how you like to be treated.

    Harry born 23/09/2008
    New baby grandson, Louie born 28/06/2012,
    Proud nanny to two beautiful boys :j
    And now I have the joy of having my foster granddaughter becoming my real granddaughter. Can't ask for anything better

    UPDATE,
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 29 August 2019 at 9:50PM
    harrys_nan wrote: »
    It's all in my heavily planted borders, so I think I would have to dig everything up to treat the mare's tail but as next door to me are not gardeners and that is where it's coming from, I cannot see I am going to be able to control it. It does seem rife around where I live now
    Thanks everyone for all the input

    Don't dig everything up.

    You can just keep pulling it. You will have to do this consistently, but you will eventually win the battle. It will take years though.

    I had the same problem. Heavily planted cottage garden so I could not spray either. Consistent pulling over time has resulted in very little left now.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 18 January 2024 at 9:20PM
    savemoney wrote: »
    Weedkiller is no good unless you can remove the waxy coating on the leaves just stamp on it and rub your foot. But best way is too keep removing it when you see it. There is one weedkiller that is designed for it but I hear its not for consumers


    You could use a butane burner thats designed for weeds. I have mares tale on my allotment I just pick it up
    Catsacor wrote: »
    I don't mean to argue with you but it's not actually accurate.
    I've not crushed any of it and it works fine, the main point when dealing with it is to apply the weedkiller and leave it alone.
    It's only by leaving it that the systemic action can fully work.

    It depends on what weedkiller you use.

    Most weedkillers will not work due to the fact that the plant has a tough outer silica coating. And so it usually need to be crushed to get the weedkiller to work.

    And you need to use 'tough' weedkillers too.

    The RHS give the same advice.

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=257
  • harrys_nan
    harrys_nan Posts: 1,777 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    Don't dig everything up.

    You can just keep pulling it. You will have to do this consistently, but you will eventually win the battle. It will take years though.

    I had the same problem. Heavily planted cottage garden so I could not spray either. Consistent pulling over time has resulted in very little left now.

    Thank you, This is what I am going to do, at least I won't see it lol
    I put it in bags and take it to the council tip along with any other rubbish, I would never put it in my compost bins
    Treat other's how you like to be treated.

    Harry born 23/09/2008
    New baby grandson, Louie born 28/06/2012,
    Proud nanny to two beautiful boys :j
    And now I have the joy of having my foster granddaughter becoming my real granddaughter. Can't ask for anything better

    UPDATE,
    As of today 180919. my granddaughter is now my official granddaughter, adoption finally granted
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