A gardening expert has revealed a simple method to get rid of pesky and unwanted weeds, in particular, horsetail. Garden designer and TikTok creator Ish explained that horsetail or mare’s tail can be a struggle to get rid of, but it is possible, you just have to be persistent.
There are two types of horsetail; with the first type appearing in early to mid-spring, which are a light tawny brown, can grow to up to 30 centimetres tall, and can be easily mistaken for toadstools, according to the Royal Horticultural Society. The second appears in late spring and will grow throughout the summer, showing off green shots and can reach 60 centimetres in height. These resemble miniature conifer trees.
Horsetail can spread by producing spores and rhizomes which can be dispersed over long distances when picked up by the wind. According to the RHS, the horsetail’s rhizomes can spread slowly but can be up to two metres (6.5 ft) deep, making them difficult to remove, especially when intertwined with roots of other plants.
Ish explained that there are a few ways to kill horsetail, with one method using a store cupboard ingredient. He said: “It also thrives in really badly-drained soil, and also loves a bit of acidity.
“So one of the really good things you can do is replace the soil after you’ve dug it out with some well-drained soil, a little bit of sandy soil, too, and plant things like lavender and add a little bit of alkaline-based soil using a bit of baking powder that lavender will thrive in, but this absolutely detests.”
When it comes to horsetail growing in flower beds and borders, Ish advised digging the weed up as best as possible. Once removed, plant “clumping” plants like salvia on top, which will starve the weed of light.
You can also mulch over anything you’ve cut down, which will also starve the horsetail. If you’ve got horsetail growing in grass, however, Ish advised to regularly mow the lawn.
Mowing will help cut down the plant, taking away the weed’s energy and, in turn, starving it of light. However this will be time consuming.
You can also attempt to dig up the horsetail, but Ish warned that the weed may have deep roots, making it impossible to root out entirely. The key is to be persistent, as the weeds will not be gone overnight.
If all else fails, Ish said the last port of call can be a weed killer. However, as horsetail has a protective coating, weed killer may not be as effective.
Ish advised to crunch the weed’s leaves to help break down the protective layer. Once mangled, then apply any weed killer.