Introduction

[thirdman]

Hi everyone,
Just taken on a plot after a few years break from allotmenting.
Chose this plot because of location plus the fact that it had been worked up until earlier this year. The biggest problem I can see at the moment is Horsetail (Marestail, Pipeweed, call it what you will).
Has anyone any success stories in removing this pest? I'm hoping persistent hoeing will get rid of it over the course of a few years as I'm not keen on chemical weedkillers if I can possibly avoid them.

Chris

[thirdman]

[adam04]

i think its a pain t get out once you have it, and really nothing but regular hoeing to really slow it down can get rid of it.

the roots go down about 4metres apparantly!!!!

[tim]

An Orson Wells - or cricket fan?

Don't know!

[thirdman]

yes, I've been reading about it. It's survived since prehistoric times, so it's not going to go without a fight.

[thirdman]

An Orson Wells - or cricket fan?

Neither, (well I do like cricket, but that's not the reason) This is my third plot, and I'm a man  ;D

Chris

[spacehopper]

Hello, pleased to meet you.  :)
We have marestail on our plot and now think of it as something to deal with on an ongoing basis rather than something that can be erradicated in one go. Its just a shame it's not edible!

[thirdman]

Hello, pleased to meet you.  :)
We have marestail on our plot and now think of it as something to deal with on an ongoing basis rather than something that can be erradicated in one go. Its just a shame it's not edible!

Pleased to meet you too  :)

Apparently it does have it's uses:

Biodynamic growers use horsetail tea to strengthen plants' resistance to fungal infections. Take ¾ oz dried horsetails and simmer for 30 minutes in 2 pints of rain water. Stand for 24 hours. Make up to 1 gallon, stirring the mixture for about 15 minutes. This mixture will keep for a couple of weeks. Spray the plants thoroughly every 10-14 days, starting early in the season. The later sprayings can be more dilute (making the solution up to as much as 10 gallons) but should always have a pale yellow-green or brown colour and smell of horsetails.

from http://www.allotments.fsnet.co.uk/marestail.html

[undercarriage plan]

No idea about the marestail! Sorry, bar jumping up and down on it, but hello!  ;D
Lottie

[Derekthefox]

Marestail, yes my neighbour uses triple strength Roundup applied with a hand sprayer and it definitely works, he has cleared all the marestail from out of his gooseberry  bushes and they were riddled. A long slow and expensive operation, but he says it is worth it.

Derekthefox :D

[rosebud]

Hello thirdman, and welcome to a4a, good luck with your plot.  Rosebud. ;D

[hawhaw]

Hello thirdman

You look familiar, have we met?

[thirdman]

Hello thirdman

You look familiar, have we met?

Hmmm, you look familiar too. Are you by any chance my missus?

[the_snail]

Welcome to A4A thirdman.

Marestale is a real pain. I cannot help you with any organic methards but my advice is to use a glyphosate which is unfortunatly a chemical.

The_Snail