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Horsetails
Equisetum arvense
April 21,1998
Carol wrote:
Hi. I live in Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada, about 2 hours from either Detroit
or Buffalo. I have a weed in my gardening that's overtaking everything.
It's called, "Hippurus Vulgarus" a.k.a. horsetail, horseweed, or marestail.
Please help.
Carol
Horsetail
Equisetum arvense
 |
The extensive root system of horsetail (Equisetum arvense) makes controlling
it very difficult prospect. Landscape fabrics or black plastic mulch can effectively
prevent horsetail growth. Few herbicides are capable of killing off these
weeds. Casoron (dichlobenil) can be used but it's safe use is dependent on
the situation in which horsetail grows. (It should NOT be used in an area
which also produces food crops) Before you use any herbicide READ THE
LABEL to ensure it is registered to use for your situation. Follow
label directions! Be aware that if you try to remove the horsetails by
digging or cultivating, you may be doing nothing more than propagating new
plants. Any portion of the rhizomes left in the soil will regenerate! It may
be an old wives tail, and I have not tried it, but I've been told that a tea
made from dried horsetail leaves is useful to control slugs!
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