what can i do with the weed

[thatlad1]

Hi everyone, i am new to this grapevine forum so forgive me if im doing this wrong, i took over a completely overgrown allotment last september, i worked hard and got 3/4 of it looking something like it should (i think). I have since planted quite a bit of crop but a weed keeps appearing all over the place and in between my crop, people tell me its called mairs tail and it is impossible to shift, has anyone got any ideas or tips to stop this pesky weed, thanks.

[Cloud]

Welcome thatlad1.The only way I know apart from using chemicals is to smother it using a membrane of some type or just keep pulling it up and perservere!

[thatlad1]

thanks for the reply, do you know if you use chemicals if you can grow crop safely on it afterwards

[Two_Sheds]

people tell me its called mairs tail and it is impossible to shift, has anyone got any ideas or tips to stop this pesky weed, thanks.

Got a photo, so we can diagnose?

[Tam]

Mare's Tail is extremely difficult to eradicate as the roots have been found at incredible depths and it does not readily absorb liquids through its growth above the ground. If glyphosate (Roundup) is sprayed on to it, it is best to rough it up a bit, before the weedkiller is applied. Some people use their boots to rub it, but a more effective way is to use two sandpaper blocks. It may take a number of applications to eradicate this Roman import.

[Demeter]

It's mares tail (horsetail) if it looks like this:
horsetail - Google Image Search

And here are some webpages with advice on getting rid of it: Repeated hoeing, enriching the soil, smothering with mulch or cover plants and/or anti-companion planting with something it does not like (nasturtiums and giant marigolds seem to be the anti-companions of choice). It may take a season or two but then chemicals aren't going to be a quick fix either as this weed has got primeval anti-weedkiller armour!

Cooch grass and Mare's Tail
Fact Sheet – Mares tail
Weeds and What To Do - Methods of Controlling Weeds

Good luck... and if it all gets a bit much you can always open a pharmacy - the stuff has a bunch of medicinal properties too!

Horsetail Benefits & Information

[Tam]

I should have said that when treating Mare's Tail with glyphosate it is better to add a couple of drops of Fairy Liquid (or similar) to the mixture as it helps the plant to absorb it. You can use the ground so treated to grow anything.

[Tam]

Royal Horticultural Society - Advice: Controlling field horsetail This is a little article by the RHS. I certainly don'y envy you.

[thatlad1]

well thanks everyone for your help and advice, seems like i have got a bit of work on my hands but i will take heed of all your advice and keep my fingers crossed, thanks.

[Flummery]

Got it in my front garden - I just pull it up when I see it. That's about all you can do. It's a blessed nuisance!

[Paul Wagland]

On the bright side, it's tall and thin so doesn't shade out your plants much, and the roots go down so deep that it doesn't really compete for nutrients or water.

You can also pull up a big bunch, tie it up and use it to sweep the chimney!

[piskieinboots]

You can also pull up a big bunch, tie it up and use it to sweep the chimney!

what if you don't have a chimney?

[Norm]

The only thing to do with weed man is smoke it

[Paul Wagland]

what if you don't have a chimney?

You can clean glass with it too, I think.... ya got windows, don't ya?!

[gojiberry]

I also have mares tail and unfortunately you wont get rid of it, only keep it under some sort of control. I find if you hoe it off it will then branch below surface and come up as three or four tails. I try to go around as often as possible with a narrow trowl and try to use it as a lever and try to pull the root up from as deep as possible. It has been known for the roots to be as deep as 30ft plus. It can also lay dormant for centuries. On the plus side it can be boiled and the liquid used (I think) as a pest control.

Ian