Topic: mares tail

[percussionman]

I also have had this plant on my allotment. this plant loves damp conditions but will thrive anywhere. problem is the rooting system is around 4/5 feet down and spreads underground for miles. It is really hard to get rid of and will re appear every year. There is however a really easy way to keep this pest in check. You need to get hold of some industrial Roundup and dilute it per the instructions. add a tablespoon of washing up liquid to the mixture give the sprayer a good shake up to mix the potion well. The washing up liquid will help the solution to stick to the very waxy leaves and stems.
Prior to spraying stand on the mares tail and crush it slightly then give it a liberal spray. It's a case of keeping on top of it.eventually you will be able to control it without too much effort. ::)

[ACE]

If you have any industrial strength roundup in your shed and do not have a licence to use it. Don't tell anyone. It is illegal to use. If you do use it make sure it is not going to leach onto next doors plot or into any drains, streams etc., and keep a record off the dosage per hectare the weather conditions, the date and the amount of times you have sprayed the same area. It will help to keep the fine/prison sentence down if you look like you tried to act responsably.

The wild abandonment that people used to  use this stuff is the reason it was regulated.

[digmore]

Keep the faith, this beastie is one of natures finest, but with all living things it tends to go away if you keep hitting it.

Kurtail, has an effect like acid but it keeps coming back, concentrated vinegar, as in chip shop vinegar sprayed on mixed with sticky soap, has same effect.

Hoeing and snapping off the emerging shoots stops its sun light supply and it tends to go elsewhere to get light.

With the chemical options, the best results are obtained if you break the outer skin of the plant ie. if you walk over it or scuff it before spraying.

Also, if you can spread vast amounts of lime over the plot and dig or rotaviate it in and then repeat over the season.

But nature will fight back, this plant is as adapted to its surroundings as anyother of natures survivors.

Digmore