horse-tail - how do you kill it?

Leif

noimad wrote: »

Interesting article on organic control of Horsetail on PushingUpDandelions (can't post link as I'm a newbie but search for 'PushingUpDandelions Horsetail') - sounds involved but argues that weedkillers only kill off top growth, not the immensely deep roots.

That certainly seems to be the case with Field Bindweed when it is well established. I sprayed all last year, and I'm spraying this year, and it just stops the sprayed shoot. Other shoots pop up nearby. In the case of bindweed it can have roots going down 8m, and the ones I've seen 1m down are thick and healthy looking.

[Deleted User]

My neighbour on the left has a jungle of mares tail which has infested not only my garden but the garden on the right of me and the two next to that. It seems to go under fences, paths through lawns etc. Having read ALL the threads on here I reckon have to learn to live with it as the people to the left aren't remotely bothered about tackiling it. :mad: but thats for another thread.

Sadly I'll just try to pull the shots whenever they surface I'll have to learn to live with it.

My question is how can I improve the lawn which the mares tail is spreading through? I already leave some cuttings on the lawn as a cheapo fertiliser but the actual re-growth is sparse, patchy, brownish and dry. If I feed or re-seed the lawn won't it be feeding the mares tail too so it will just grow faster?

thanks

demystified

Place where I used to work was infested with it.

Roundup does work but it need a strong dose and repeated treatment, it will turn yellow and curl up it's toes and die, but it's not a quick process, it'll take 3 weeks before you'll notice much happening.

Most people expect an instant effect, its very tough and persistent, and they don't have the patience.

bushbaby1103 wrote: »

My question is how can I improve the lawn which the mares tail is spreading through? I already leave some cuttings on the lawn as a cheapo fertiliser but the actual re-growth is sparse, patchy, brownish and dry. If I feed or re-seed the lawn won't it be feeding the mares tail too so it will just grow faster?

thanks

Verdone lawn weedkiller, repeated treatment and cut it regularly to keep it down. Feed the lawn too.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the info Demystified
I'm just reading thru the reviews on Amazon seems well thought of and a very reasonable price. Will give it a go. Already have lawn feed so thats OK. I'm resigned to picking off the tops of the Mares Tail till later in the summer then blitz as you suggested with the Round Up. Although another forumite also suggested Kurtail which is pricey. I'm going to try both one in the back garden and one at the front. I know it's going to be a long job.
Thanks again much appreciated

Yorkie1

Kurtail is for professional use only.

[Deleted User]

Oh no, really? Thanks for letting me know.

TBH it did sound a bit like napalm LOL! I'll stick to Verdone as suggested above. I've just ordered it from Amazon. Been reading up on Mares Tail it's quite a problem in the States esp for soya bean farmers. A woman saw it growing in the wild, thought it was 'pretty' and brought it back to her garden and planted it. within 9 months it had ruined 80 acres neighbouring farmers crops:eek:

Demystified: I plan to use the Verdone on the front lawn and the Round Up at the back where the problem weed is growing through under the fence from next door and i can localize the dose to specific plants

Another quick Q if I may;

I'm leaving the cuttings on the lawn to break down and fertilze it. If I leave too much for too long (ie; when no rain to break it down) can it hinder the new growth and the absorption of the liquid lawn weed killer or food?

Sorry I'm a newbie gardener, but determined to improve my lawn at least.

Thanks Again.

Yorkie1

I think that lawn mowings can create 'thatch' which prevents light, air and water getting to the soil or grass below.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Yorkie1
It would explain why the lawn looked better last year when the cuttings were removed and not left on the lawn,

OK, I'm going to get them raked up this week. Apply the Verdone on the lawn and once weeds are gone feed it (Sept/Oct). Also, later in the year star operation 'Mare's Tail' with the Round Up. Next April I'll try and put new lawn seed down and start again.
I think I have a plan of action now. thanks everyone will let you know how i get on

zee_2

I live in country and found a organic cure that works, my daughters proposed veg garden was full of mares tail, {topsoil from railway embankment years ago ,it was used to bind soil and stop landslip ] old local gave me advice that works although a pest for a time ....fence off area and put in some chickens ,their continual scratching the soil will destroy surface and new growing shoots,
you have eggs and plump chickens for 1 year of bother.

smudger1964

My front garden is infested with the stuff..So got Kurtail from Ebay the other day and it works my marestail is now all black and dead the Kurtail is expensive but it seems to work...just put Kurtail into ebay search and youll find it its £39.52 but I have only used a very little of it