Weeds

Horsetail
(Equisetum arvense)

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Felco original secateurs (model no 2)

A horribly invasive perennial weed that grows in a wide variety of places from sand dunes to boggy ground. The stems of this weed go down up to several metres and creep along in different directions under the soil. It is so tough it has been known to push its way through tarmac! A close relative of the fern, horsetail is a non-flowering weed with hollow stems and shoots that look like asparagus.

Control

The main way to keep weeds under control is constant vigilance, never allowing the weed to flower or seed and mulching. Horsetail is very difficult to control.

The best way is to start by cutting it down at regular intervals. Begin by cutting down and burning all the visible plant. After this cut it down every two weeks in the first year until autumn when the growth stops. In the following years cut it down as you see it
Trying to dig out the plant is difficult as it has an extensive root structure and will root from the smallest portion left behind
Spraying with weedkiller will do the job if the weeds are in the garden border. Spray with a systemic weedkiller that is absorbed through the leaves of the plant and the active ingredient makes its way through the cells of the plant down to the root. It kills these first and then the foliage starts to die off
Mulching will help to eliminate light, which all green plants need to survive. There are several effective mulches that will act as a weed barrier; weed suppressing fabric, well-rotted manure or garden compost, bark, grass cuttings, gravel and even a thick layer of newspaper

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