Allotments 4 All

Can anyone tell me if there is anything to kill horsetail. My new allotment is covered in it and i mean covered. Is it best to dig it out or can i weedkill it although everyone has told me it cant be killed by weedkiller. Oh yes im knew to this site. So HELLO everyone.

Hello and welcome. Weedkiller will weaken it but it is not really the ideal tool for the job. I had it bad once but a liberal dose of elbow grease kept it in check.

It is a mind numbing job to dig it all out, you never will but if you can thin it down a bit then hoe it when it pops up it will gradually dissappear over the next 4 or 5 years. Just learn to live with it.

Hi Adam,this is a prehistoric plant and one of the hardest to eradicate.

Like Ace said you can only control really :)

Welcome to A4A :)

We call it marestail here.

Hi Adam Apple welcome read these and other Allotment owners experiences then its make your mind up time  :D
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0705/equisetum.asp
http://www.allotment.org.uk/articles/Weeds_and_What_to_do.php

yes agreed my plot was infested and unfortunately my next door neighbour is much worse and is not making any effort to eradicate it so the seeds just keep coming!

anyway when you dig over a section remove as much of the root as possible (can be more than 1.5 mtrs so dont expect to get it all) then every time a head appears sink your hoe underground as low as possible and remove and burn

eventually you will get the upper hand

and I have read a lot of research and weed killer is a waste of time they are highly resistant

the Aussies have named it no1 on the most wanted list and their answer is to excavate the land and burn the soil and replace with fresh soil

bit over the top for us lottie holders :-)

don't forget it is also a good liquid feed and a fungicide so next season steep some in rain water and used it to protect you crops from mildew, rust and blackspot, google it or check out these links:
http://www.riverhouse.com.au/recipes/pest_control.html#Horsetail%20Spray
http://www.pfaf.org/wiki/index.php/Marsh_Horsetail
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organicweeds/weed_information/weed.php?id=10

I've also read that when trying to eradicate it its important to ensure the female parts of the plants are eradicated as soon as they rear their ugly little heads to prevent further spores being spread.

Once can only dream  ::) ----- of eradicating the bl*/$y flamin crappy gardeners worst nightmare.  Whoever invents something to get rid of it will be an instant millionaire over night.  Now where are my school books.......

KT

Ammonium Suphamate aka Deep Root- but now banned by EU >:( >:(

I too have it on my plot and just have to keep pulling it up and slowly weakening it but will never get rid only keep under control.  but wish you luck

Welcome to the site Adam and Morph...
If you can improve the drainage and the fertility it tends to receed as it thrives in poor damp soil and doesn't compete well with more advanced plants in richer soils....  ;D

Quote from: SMP1704 on September 02, 2008, 19:05:57
KT

Ammonium Suphamate aka Deep Root- but now banned by EU >:( >:(

Pssst..... still available as a "compost accelerator" http://www.stantonhope.com/Tools_26_Equipment_101305_AMMONIUM_SULPHAMATE_per_872kg_.asp

I haven't used this yet but I am considering using it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31559373@N00/4757456972/

Kibosh is supposed to be great at eradicating this monster

anneatkins - I've sent you a Personal message.

There are two problems with Mares Tails that make it a bugger to kill.

1. it is encased in a hard waterproof shell like outer layer, making it immune to anything you spray it with
2. the roots can go down ten feet, making it impossible to  dig out

A glyphosate based weed killer WILL kill the stuff BUT you have to bash up the stalks to break the waterproof layer to allow the weedkiller to ingress into it.

Hello again all:

I need some field horsetail, and as it is not something we have running rampant at our Allotment Site - I was wondering if anyone around Maidstone would like me to come and hack down any of theirs ;-)

Ironically enough, it's used in a really good gardeners hand soak - because of the silica in it, it's really good to keep your nails healthy and strong!

Whoever can get me up close to a bunch I can whack down and take, will get a jar of my gardener's soak! :-)

(Also has calendula and comfrey in)

Please feel free to PM me :-)

If you like will come and help you dig or hoe for a bit for your trouble ;-)

Thanks!!