Eliminating stubborn horsetail weed: Garden professionals disclose their most effective strategies for eradication
In gardens across the UK, one persistent weed has been causing headaches for gardeners - the horsetail weed, or Marestail. This ancient plant, dating back over 400 million years, is known for its adaptability to various climates and soils, and its deep root system that can reach up to 6-7 feet deep.
Horsetail weed, identifiable by its brown stems with cone-like tops in spring, and tall green plants with frondy, fir-like leaves in summer, can be challenging to eradicate due to its resilient nature. However, with a strategic approach, it is possible to control and reduce its growth.
Regularly cutting back new shoots is one effective method. Focusing on new horsetail shoots and pulling them can help in controlling the growth of horsetail weed. Cutting these stems before the cones appear can help prevent the spread of horsetail weed.
Digging out horsetail weed plants can help deal with large clumps, but it's difficult and you won't be able to completely dig out every part of this deep-growing weed. A fork with a long handle is easier to lift weeds with runners than a spade.
Another approach is to block light, which horsetail needs to grow. Covering horsetail weed with strong weed-resistant matting and mulch can restrict the light and stop the plant from growing in those areas. Weed matting will help to smother the new growth and can help to suppress horsetail in borders.
Herbicides are not an effective solution for horsetail weed. Its tough waxy coating reduces herbicide effectiveness, so herbicide treatments should be applied on actively growing summer shoots and ideally done by professionals with specialist knowledge for multiple applications. Some residual herbicides, such as Chikara Weed Control, can provide longer-term suppression but should be used according to the label.
Flame weeding can weaken horsetail shoots on the surface but requires repeated use over several years to impact the root system significantly. It is ideal for hardscaped areas, less suitable near delicate plants.
Improving soil drainage and structure by adding organic matter and avoiding compacted, poorly drained soil helps make conditions less favorable for horsetail. Dense planting with shrubs, groundcovers, or turfgrass competes effectively against horsetail by limiting available bare soil.
This integrated approach, combining cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods over time, offers the best chance of controlling and reducing horsetail in garden settings. However, for large infestations, professional removal may be necessary. It's important to dispose of horsetail weed stems sensibly, ideally by burning, to prevent its spread.
In a wildlife garden, horsetail weed can provide food and habitat for some native invertebrates. Therefore, it's crucial to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of eradicating horsetail weed completely.
In conclusion, while horsetail weed can be a persistent problem, a combination of methods, including regularly cutting back new shoots, digging out rhizomes where possible, blocking light with mulch or weed-resistant matting, and carefully timed repeated applications of herbicides designed for horsetail control, can help gardeners effectively manage this ancient weed.
Houseplants can thrive alongside a lifestyle that embraces home-and-garden projects, as the skills developed in controlling the growth of invasive weeds, such as horsetail, are transferable. For instance, maintaining a regular routine of cutting back new horsetail shoots and pulling out small plants can also be applied to pruning houseplants and managing their growth.
Upon discovering new horsetail weeds sneaking into a home-and-garden setting, one might consider incorporating houseplants with similar growth habits to help smother the weed's growth, such as employing weed matting or layer planting techniques to hinder the light requirements of both plants.
