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Permalink Reply by David Strong on August 26, 2010 at 22:05

Thanks for all the advice folks, I'll look into the different types of sprays but think I'll be pulling it out carefully because there are other shrubs etc already in the bed and I dont want to cause any damage to these.

There is a small waterway in the rear garden behind the house approx 30 - 40 yards away, why do you ask?

As said thanks for the help,

David

Matt said:

Not near a watercourse is it?

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Permalink Reply by David Strong on August 26, 2010 at 22:07

Hi Michael

Where abouts on a hardstanding area or in a bed/border?

Thanks in advance

Michael Bradley said:

I hve recently used Kibosh. Initial results are excellent so should be worth a try.

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Permalink Reply by Matt on August 26, 2010 at 22:15

You will have to be careful about spraying it near watercourses.

David Strong said:

Thanks for all the advice folks, I'll look into the different types of sprays but think I'll be pulling it out carefully because there are other shrubs etc already in the bed and I dont want to cause any damage to these.

There is a small waterway in the rear garden behind the house approx 30 - 40 yards away, why do you ask?

As said thanks for the help,

David

Matt said:

Not near a watercourse is it?

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Permalink Reply by David Strong on August 26, 2010 at 22:24

Yes I'm all pa1 and pa6a qualified, but appreciate your concern

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Rowly Hill on August 26, 2010 at 22:59

David, I wouldn't use Kibosh in your situation, a cultural approach will be more appropriate- you'll wipe out the shrubs.

I'm using it on hard standings and on soil bunds ( which have no sacred vegetation) prior to grass seeding. Or near any water courses...but you know that;-} The data sheet is online if you google it. Hope that helps.

David Strong said:

Yes I'm all pa1 and pa6a qualified, but appreciate your concern

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Permalink Reply by Michèle Martin on August 27, 2010 at 11:08

This has to be one of the worst weeds to get rid of. It's root have been found in underground mines and it will grow through concrete.
It can be got rid of but it's not an easy task and you'll have to be diligent and determined.
There are 3 ways:
A.
turf the area and mow it regularly.
B.
1. wait for a dry windless day with no rain forecast for at least 24 hours.
2.stamp on the plants to bruise them and break the waxy coating on the leaves.
3.spray with top strength glyphosate based weedkiller.
4.leave for 2 weeks (do not touch in meantime) and return to check on progress.
5. repeat stages 2-4 until weed is eradicated - it could take months.
C.
remove all leaves and as much root as you can.
Repeat every time there is a sign of the plant.

I was asked this question while doing a Q&A session at Southport Flower show last week and a gentleman came up to me at the end and said he'd done C and had got rid of it from his allotment. Mind you it had taken him 10 years.
Good luck!
Michèle

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on August 27, 2010 at 11:34

From South West Landscapes on Twitter.

"@LandscapeJuice there is a foam you can use that will stick to it and not just run off, try Rigby Taylo(r) they can help?"

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Permalink Reply by Paula Hale on August 27, 2010 at 13:57

Hi folks, I don't find mares tail a problem to get rid off if you bruise it first, I use a hand fork to bash it lightly, then spray with weedkiller - works a treat. Mares tail is covered in a waxy coating which is why some weedkillers don't work - if you bruise it first the chemicals can get into it.

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Permalink Reply by Jigsawgardens.co.uk on August 29, 2010 at 0:08

Hi
Yep, did a job with all four borders filled with this stuff last weekend. Took me two hours to remove most of it. I dug under roots of it all to loosen and they pulled out (with roots) in most cases.
Often i went back over same area, digging it out section by section. I;m sure it will return but regular digging out is my solution.
Again, the soil was poor as this garden was not tended in previous two years and I am considering a mulch to keep it down/improve soil to keep it down.
Also, like most gardens with weeds in control, there were not many plants in borders = the weeds have free rein so my tip is put some plants in you actually want there, depriving mares tail of space to take over - simple!

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Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by John Cavill on August 29, 2010 at 11:23

If you want a laugh, a customer of mine thought her mares tail was cosmos so every four days she fed it with miracle grow. When I returned after just a month the mares tail was over 6 feet high!

I have just bought my first Kibosh, my allotment is covered in Mares tail and after bashing it with a fork then spraying a good helping of glyfosate, nothing changed! :(

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Permalink Reply by Jigsawgardens.co.uk on August 30, 2010 at 13:43

Thanks, I was never in any doubt it would return but like is said improving the soil and putting in some plants you want to be there will leave it less space to return in. Customer was pleased with the energy I expended in any case!!!

THE GARDEN COMPANY said:

diggin mares tail out with a spade is a complete waste of energy lol, unless you dig with a digger far down !

James Iles said:

Hi
Yep, did a job with all four borders filled with this stuff last weekend. Took me two hours to remove most of it. I dug under roots of it all to loosen and they pulled out (with roots) in most cases.
Often i went back over same area, digging it out section by section. I;m sure it will return but regular digging out is my solution.
Again, the soil was poor as this garden was not tended in previous two years and I am considering a mulch to keep it down/improve soil to keep it down.
Also, like most gardens with weeds in control, there were not many plants in borders = the weeds have free rein so my tip is put some plants in you actually want there, depriving mares tail of space to take over - simple!

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Permalink Reply by Jigsawgardens.co.uk on August 30, 2010 at 23:45

Yep, agreed, was coming up between perfectly laid slabs which of course made it impossible to 'dig' out. What chemical solution was it you recommended and where can i get some?
Thanks again
James

THE GARDEN COMPANY said:

james regardless of space this stuff gets through millimetres between flags etc , its a bad weed in my opinion , regular spraying is the only opion , otherwise you will be forever goin over the same problem etc

James Iles said:

Thanks, I was never in any doubt it would return but like is said improving the soil and putting in some plants you want to be there will leave it less space to return in. Customer was pleased with the energy I expended in any case!!!

THE GARDEN COMPANY said:

diggin mares tail out with a spade is a complete waste of energy lol, unless you dig with a digger far down !

James Iles said:

Hi
Yep, did a job with all four borders filled with this stuff last weekend. Took me two hours to remove most of it. I dug under roots of it all to loosen and they pulled out (with roots) in most cases.
Often i went back over same area, digging it out section by section. I;m sure it will return but regular digging out is my solution.
Again, the soil was poor as this garden was not tended in previous two years and I am considering a mulch to keep it down/improve soil to keep it down.
Also, like most gardens with weeds in control, there were not many plants in borders = the weeds have free rein so my tip is put some plants in you actually want there, depriving mares tail of space to take over - simple!

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