HEEELLLPPP!! Horsetails taking over my garden =(

[Jenni]

I'm new to this website and the whole gardening thing....in fact it's the first time I've had my own garden..which is slowly disappearing under a carpet of what I've been told is Horsetail...

I've read so many different ways/weedkillers to try and get rid of it and am willing to try anything..can anyone recommend the best one please??..

The main problem I have is that I can't get to the roots..it's coming up from under a membrane and a ton of gravel! =(

[Kleftiwallah]

The best is one especially for horsetail (or Mare'stail). Best to read the label.

I do have a good tip though. Grab a bunch and bruise it well but don't pull it up. Get an old icecream carton and fill with your choice of weedkiller, bend the mare'stail down into the weedkiller and hold it there with a stone. Cover to keep out the rain which will dilute the weedkiller. The mare'stail should take up the weedkiler and send it through the plants system.

Cheers, Tony.

[Peas'n'Kews]

Welcome to the Vine Jenni.

Glad Kleftiwallah has given you advice cos I don't know!

Can you add your location to your profile so we can see where you are as this can affect the advice you are given??

Enjoy!

[Jenni]

thanks guys! I found one that specifically states it's for horsetail but it's 30 quid a pop...eek...have also updated my location..I'm in stockton-on-tees...more specifically my garden's in a very waterlogged area with a pond thats constantly flooding...the joys of british summer! =)

[Two_Sheds]

Horsetail is what you've got ~ marestail is an aquatic plant.

Horsetail thrives in bare open soil, but it's not very competitive against taller plants, so it can be shaded out by close planting like I did here (membrane & gravel don't count as shade, sadly).

You're going to want to keep your gravel: so you're either going to have to take everything up, dig it all out and start again, or resign yourself to pulling it up as soon as it appears.