How to Get Rid of Horsetail Weed
Since prehistoric times, horsetail weed (Equisetaceae) has been a blight on the land. Horsetail is a perennial noxious weed with a deep spreading root stock. It is harmful to animals and difficult to eradicate. Horsetail weed, or mare's tail, is found in moisture-rich soils along lakes, rivers, ponds, roadsides and depressed areas in fields. Horsetail Weed forms dense patches of thick stems that persist throughout the winter. It spreads by underground root stock and by millions of spores that are released in the spring. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
How To Eliminate Horsetail Weed
-
1
Dig up the plant by the roots. This method is useful for small areas. Make sure to remove all parts of the root, because the plant will grow back from small pieces of root stock.
-
2
Smother the plant. Mow or chop down the offending weeds. Cover the area with a layer of plastic sheeting. Poke holes in the plastic to allow the area to drain. Cover the plastic with a layer of decorative mulch or pine bark. Leave the area covered with plastic for at least a full season. The plants under the plastic will die. Remove mulch and plastic and replant after the horsetail weed has been eradicated.
-
-
3
Poison the plant. Prior to applying a commercial weed killer, mow or chop down the weed. Horsetail weed has a thick waxy stem that spray applications can not penetrate. It is necessary to break or bruise the stems prior to chemical application to allow the weed killer to enter the plant.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Remove spore cones from horsetail plants in early spring to curb the spreading of the weed.
Noxious and toxic, horsetails are poisonous to livestock and can kill
animals that eat contaminated hay.
