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Horsetails and Roundup
Rufus wrote:
I would like to eliminate the use of 'chemicals' from my garden, but right now it is infested with equisetales (aka horsetails, mare's tails, etc). There are some big patches, others are in small clusters among the vegetables and flowers. The only way I know to get rid of them is to spray in the growing season with glyphosate. Even then you have to give them a thrashing first to scrape their surface and let the weedkiller penetrate. If anyone knows of an alternative, I'd be grateful to hear about it. Meantime, the best I'm hoping for is to keep the amount of glyphosate I use down to a minimum. Even that is a problem, since the only form I can buy locally is ready-made solutions in spray containers. I have a vague memory that you used to get it in other forms, in applicators that allowed you to dab it on to individual weeds. Does anyone know of any devices like this? Or could I simply use a paintbrush? There is also the problem of our climate. You can't spray unless it's calm, and for plants to absorb the stuff the plants need to be dry, and need to stay dry for several hours after spraying. That means waiting till the dew has burned off, and hoping the forecast is right. Again, is there any way round this? Could I spray, then cover the area for a few hours? I will experiment, but I'd welcome any advice. I have successfully controlled horsetails by spraying with Roundup to which washing up liquid has been added. The WU liquid reduces the surface tension on the foliage allowing the spray to adhere to the plant - and also produces foam (when sprayed) which is a good indicator of which bits you have missed. It does take some time for the effects to be seen and if possible, try to leave the fronds until they have withered and gone brown. On a really well established patch you may have some regrowth the following year but a repeat treatment seems to see it off. Now is definitely the best time to attack it while the growth is fresh and lush. -- ned |
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