Horsetail, also known as mare’s tail, can be a real nuisance for gardeners as it grows rapidly and spreads quickly – but there are a few ways to get rid of it
A gardening guru has shared a nifty trick to banish those stubborn, unwelcome weeds, especially the notorious horsetail. TikTok’s own garden designer Ish shared that while tackling horsetail or mare’s tail can be tough, with a bit of grit, it’s definitely doable.
The Royal Horticultural Society highlighted two varieties of horsetail; the first sprouts in early to mid-spring, sporting a light tawny brown hue, stretching up to 30 centimetres tall and could be easily confused with toadstools. The second type emerges in late spring and continues to grow over summer, flaunting green shoots that may reach up to 60 centimetres, resembling tiny conifer trees.
Horsetail is known for spreading easily, both through spores and rhizomes, which the wind can carry far and wide. The RHS warned that horsetail rhizomes can burrow down to a whopping two metres deep, presenting a real challenge to eradicate, particularly when they entangle with other plants’ roots, reports the Express.
How to get rid of horsetail
Ish has highlighted a couple of methods to defeat horsetail, including one that utilises a common household staple. He noted: “It also thrives in really badly-drained soil, and also loves a bit of acidity.
“So one of the really good things you can do is replace the soil after you’ve dug it out with some well-drained soil, a little bit of sandy soil, too, and plant things like lavender and add a little bit of alkaline-based soil using a bit of baking powder that lavender will thrive in, but this absolutely detests.”
When tackling horsetail in flower beds and borders, Ish recommended excavating the weed as thoroughly as possible. After removal, plant “clumping” varieties like salvia on top, which will deprive the weed of sunlight.
You can also mulch over any cut-down sections, which will similarly starve the horsetail of light. For horsetail sprouting in grass areas, however, Ish suggested frequent lawn mowing.
Regular cutting helps weaken the plant, sapping the weed’s strength and blocking out essential light. This approach will require patience, though.
You might also try excavating the horsetail, but Ish cautioned that the weed often has extensive root systems, making complete removal challenging. Persistence is crucial, as these weeds won’t disappear instantly.
Should other methods prove unsuccessful, Ish noted that weed killer could be a final option. Nevertheless, since horsetail possesses a waxy coating, chemical treatments might prove less potent.
Ish recommended crushing the weed’s foliage to help penetrate this protective barrier. Once damaged, then spray with your chosen weed killer.
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