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Q&A: Horsetails in my Garden
Answer: By all means don't use diesel fuel! Equisetum is the botanical name of the weed that's causing all the frustration for you. It sounds like the area is still moist enough to promote the growth of this wetland plant. Horsetails are a "primitive" plant with a vascular system such that herbicides will only kill the top of the plant, but not travel down to the roots. As you've discovered, the roots can grow both down and sideways for 10 to 12 feet. It's a formidable opponent of more desireable plants in the garden. If you're persistent you can keep the tops of the plants cut down as they sprout, and eventually you'll starve the roots out. Perhaps if you improve the drainage in the area, it will lose its competitive edge against your garden plants. In lawns, simply mowing the grass at regular intervals is sometimes enough to wipe the horsetails out -- but it can take two or three years. Some gardeners have had success with the flame weeders -- torches designed to burn weeds out of tight place, such as between concrete walkways and driveways. If you use a flamer, you don't need to cremate the weed, just pass the flame over the plant's tissues long enough to heat the fluids, which in turn rupture the leaves and stems. If you're persistent with your eradication treatment, you'll prevail.
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Posted Comments:
10-28-2009 11:43
Jeanne wrote:
Horsetails
Could you include pictures when you discuss any plant? Thanks.
10-28-2009 09:55
KathieMT wrote:
Horsetails
According to Wikipedia horsetails prefer an acid soil, use lime to bring the soil pH to 7 or 8
10-29-2008 01:00
Glenn Wall wrote:
Horsetail
Horsetail has been found in erocks 300,000,000 million years old. Dinosaurs ate them. If they have survived that long and nourished the largest herbovores to ever live what can we do to them that they havent already survived.
10-28-2008 18:49
wrote:
horsetails
what do they look like?
10-28-2008 10:44
Janet wrote:
killing horsetail in the garden
"Great New"
After 3 years of digging, spraying, and alot of swearing I finally found the solution. After all that and a ton of money a little voice told me to give good old baking soda a try. It's a good neutralizer. Without the acidity in the ground I knew the hosetail would die. Ground sweeteners didn't work, so baking soda was really the only thing left to try. You guessed it. I get one or two a year in the whole garden.
Just sprinkle it on and tomorrow you'll see them on their way out. I found if I dig down a foot or two and pour some baking soda in they go faster and seemingly for good. It's quick and cheap, so why not give it a try. I'll be more than just a little amazed if it doesn't work. It works form me every time. Also remember that when you pull or dig them out put them directly into a container. The minute you touch them they drop spores. That's why they are so hard to get rid of.
Good luck. I would love to hear how it works for others.
After 3 years of digging, spraying, and alot of swearing I finally found the solution. After all that and a ton of money a little voice told me to give good old baking soda a try. It's a good neutralizer. Without the acidity in the ground I knew the hosetail would die. Ground sweeteners didn't work, so baking soda was really the only thing left to try. You guessed it. I get one or two a year in the whole garden.
Just sprinkle it on and tomorrow you'll see them on their way out. I found if I dig down a foot or two and pour some baking soda in they go faster and seemingly for good. It's quick and cheap, so why not give it a try. I'll be more than just a little amazed if it doesn't work. It works form me every time. Also remember that when you pull or dig them out put them directly into a container. The minute you touch them they drop spores. That's why they are so hard to get rid of.
Good luck. I would love to hear how it works for others.
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