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Weed control

Heather ParkerHeather Parker Posts: 3
in Problem solving

Have a massive amount of horsetail. Probably brought in by road planings when constructing a driveway. This borders on to a long sweeping lawn from the road.

I am mowing this at the moment and had intended to let grass grow in between the weed thus extending the lawn. BUT is this a good idea as I wonder about the spread of the spores in the spring?? Large amounts of fine green powder is produced from the tips of the stalks which appear before the weed gets is conifer like growths. The slightest touch releases it.

Any suggestions - this is growing amoungst the road planings - impossible to dig out and have tried many forms of chemical - even used a large gas canister burner with no effect at all. Have tried crushing, pulling it out - VERY hard work indeed - no luck - any suggestions from anyone out there?

Cheers

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,649

    I can only sympathise.  I have this stuff in three beds at the fornt now and also find it doesn't respond to chemical attack and digging just makes it worse and i think the log wet spring has made it even more prolific than usual this year.

    I'm just pulling up every stalk I see at regular intervals in the hope it will eventually weaken and give up or at least stay under control.   It can take me a few hours though as the beds are quite big.  

    It's easier when the soil is moist so last night I watered one of the beds in preparation for pulling today.   I then leave all the extracted plants to dry out for at least a week and then they go in the dust bin or on a bonfire - never in the compost heaps. 

     

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • XX Posts: 707

    Hi Heather, treaded all over it to bruise it (don't break it off), then spray with Resolva 24h.  You can kill it off, I've done it.  You'll have to do it a few times but it will get less and less of a problem.  Resolva will kill off anything though so be careful of plants and lawn.

  • Heather ParkerHeather Parker Posts: 3

    Thank you obelixx and PaulaH

    obelixx - did you know that the spores from the spring time stalks can last for years lying dormant in the soil?  I read about this.

    PaulaH - thanks for the crushing tip - but believe me I have tried.  I have tried an

    assortment of weed killers with no luck, but will try an experimental patch to see what happens with Resolva 24h as you suggest. Will post my results.

    The area of spread is quite extensive, unfortunately.

    Grateful for your suggestions.

     

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,996

    Paula's right. 

    Don't like weedkiller at all but - when you need one - that's the one to have because it works and works quickly.image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,649

    I don't like weedkiller either but do resort to it on paths and empty beds but all my horsetail is in mixed beds so spraying is not an option.  I'll just keep pulling till it gives up or I move which won't be for years in either case.

     

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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