Re: Horsetail removal ?
- To: perennials@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Horsetail removal ?
- From: E*@aol.com
- Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 10:28:49 EDT
In a message dated 5/21/00 9:49:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
mcalpin1@yahoo.com writes:
<< I would assume that this horsetail is many cut up
roots which can be dug up by hand or I can use
Crossbow to kill them on the spot? These are very
small plants so I want to knock them dead... >>
Duncan,
Since you did not get an answer to date I will tell you what happens here.
I would mow the lawn as usual being aware that horsetail may be able to live
under the mower blade. The premise is that that horsetail is unkillable and
perhaps the best place for it is in the lawn where you will not notice it.
There are plants all over my gardens (an old farm) and are addressed only
when they bump into my planting. I cut them off with a knife underground.
There does not seem to be a way to locate the main root. The plant will
continue sending up new shoots until frost. If I am walking around the
garden and see one of those shoots, I will take the time to cut it out.
In the ten years that I have been gardening in this location the horsetails
are fewer each spring but it does take patience.
We have about a half dozen awful weeds but bindweed (not much of a problem
here) and horsetail would be the most persistent and defiant.
Surely someone has written somewhere on the net on the subject of horsetail
(Equisetum hyemale). It is widespread in the US and can take over entire
gardens in light sandy soil.
Claire Peplowski
zone 4 upstate NY
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