Identify these grasses and recommendation for suitable weedkiller

lincroft1710

Hi our gravel drive is plagued with these  grasses. Any idea what they are and the best way of killing them please?

Mojisola

https://gardening.which.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/360000342869-How-to-get-rid-of-horsetail-marestail

RAS

It's marestail, been thriving since life on earth began.

-taff

Your best bet is take the gravel off, put a new thicker better weed membrane down, place gravel back on top.

Katiehound

marestail- truly prehistoric! so it knows how to survive.......

twopenny

I'm guessing you want some quick pesticide. People are still looking. As said, it's a survivor from the dinosaur age or before so it knows what it's doing.

Really you'd be best pulling them out. That will keep them gone for longer. As soon as the youngsters are seen and do this for a few months and you should be mostly shot of them

There's a little gismo available in diy shops etc Think it's just known as a weed puller but they are really good

https://!!!!!!.com/3mtmb3un

Tend to agree with Taff, but thicker membrane they will still survive in your shingle.

Dustyevsky

The most effective chemical treatment is Kurtail, which householders are not supposed to use because it's a pro product. I'm not recommending it, just telling you what the trade would apply, possibly in conjunction with an adjuvant and/or physical abrasion to improve uptake.

SBK brushwood killer applied as in the Which article is a fair compromise. Persistence is important; the weed has it, so you need it too!

sheramber

It will grow from the smallest bit of root left behind. 

I found weedkiller for brushwood or for paths and drives killed the top growth but it regrew from the roots which were not killed.  Regular application of the weedkiller kept the area clear for a while  but did not kill it.

Pulling it up was just as successful.

[Deleted User]

Only systemic weedkillers will destroy the roots and it's a long term project - as with any strong perennial weed, don't waste your hard earned money on the cheap ones because their composition won't be man-enough for the job.

Apply liberally and regularly (obviously best on hot, sunny, dry days).

Leave it alone for the remainder of the growing season because any disturbance will interrupt the systemic action.
It might take the next years growing season aswell - just use the same methods and it will go.

Anything less than all this just won't affect strong perennial weeds.

JohnB47

[Deleted User] said:

Only systemic weedkillers will destroy the roots and it's a long term project - as with any strong perennial weed, don't waste your hard earned money on the cheap ones because their composition won't be man-enough for the job.

Apply liberally and regularly (obviously best on hot, sunny, dry days).

Leave it alone for the remainder of the growing season because any disturbance will interrupt the systemic action.
It might take the next years growing season aswell - just use the same methods and it will go.

Anything less than all this just won't affect strong perennial weeds.

Hmmm. Best not when the sun is actually shining on the plant. Best wait until late in the day, when the sun, wind and rain has died down, then apply it. That gives the plant time to absorb the weed killer.

Greatgimp

Not a chance - the roots will be several feet deep, they're here to stay.