Mares Tail spreading in borders

[Johnny Appleseed]

I appear to have a growing problem with Mares Tail spreading throughout my borders and now encroaching into the lawn.

We have a very sticky London clay subsoil and although nothing else grows 18 inches deep into this soil - the Mares Tail roots are spreading at this depth quite happily. The black roots are very fragile and snap easily - and then they appear to re-grow from the broken roots and double the problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas please?

When I asked at my local garden centre they just said the best option was to move or dig out the soil to a depth of 30 inches and replace it.

I'm hoping for something in between please :-)

[Two_Sheds]

this might help http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ils_19953.html

[Johnny Appleseed]

Thank you Two Sheds - much appreciated

[Snadger]

A mares tail lawn might look ok?

Seriously, there are residual weedkillers that will get rid of it but I wouldn't recommend residuals to anyone!

[Snadger]

Oh, go on then! This is what the Council use around here and it seems to be effective!

Tordon® 22K herbicide

[Alice]

Mare's Tail is a big problem Johnny. The roots go all the way to Australia. Normally I wouldn't sanction the stuff Snadger mentions but against Mare's Tail it might be your only option.
I used to have it at the side of a private road. The only thing which controlled it (not get rid of it) was road salt in large quantities, but you won't want to use that where you want to grow.
Hope you can get to grips with it.

[adrian901]

Depending on where it is, you could try killing it with black polythene - no plant can survive without light, but it might take quite a few months...

[Johnny Appleseed]

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions. Looks like a long battle ahead.
LOL at the "roots go all the way to Australia" - they do. I've found them growing happily 450 mm deep in hard, sticky clay which even the spade struggles to get through.
Tough little beggar isn't it?
Let battle commence.

[flowerofshona]

I have two plots that are covered in it but i would rather have that than bindweed !!
I causes no real problems but looks a mess ! I dig it out and make sure i get every bit !
It hates cultivated soil so after a while it gives up if you keep digging and pulling it up.
You can use deep root weed killer and one way to keep it just on the weed is to use a plant pot with the base removed so you only hit the area you want to
Also you can drop the mairs tail into a bucket of water to rot off and once its just slush add it to the compost heap as its full of nutrients
Keep up the battle !

[Johnny Appleseed]

and one way to keep it just on the weed is to use a plant pot with the base removed so you only hit the area you want to
Keep up the battle !

Many thanks for the tip flowerofshona - and everyone else as well - it is very much appreciated.