There must be a lot of you out there in the same boat, because I am getting quite a few hits to my little website from people searching “killing horsetail” and similar. So I thought I’d write a little update to my prior post about killing giant horsetail (equisetum).
Someone from the nursery who recommended I plant this horsetail in my yard is coming by once a week. They apply a product called SedgeHammer that specifically lists Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) on it. This has been going on for about a month. I have noticed that the new growth is slowing a bit, but it’s definitely not gone. I found the new guy in this photo by my air conditioning unit. He traveled underneath my concrete walkway (about 10 feet) to get there.
It’s completely unnerving because supposedly, the SedgeHammer kills the horsetail stalk from underneath the dirt downward so the top stays green, and even grows a little bit. It’s hard for me to measure the progress really since I swore an oath that I would not go digging around to check (which is killing me, BTW). The nursery mark the stalks they’ve treated with orange paint so that they can measure new growth. I think it’s working so far, but I’m skeptical. It will not spread to areas of my yard that are bone, bone dry. I shut off the irrigation in the area it’s planted. I get sprinkler over spray from my neighbor on part of it, which is where the horsetail dwells. It’s also spread about 20 feet underground to my backyard. Lovely.
It certainly is taking much longer than the 2 weeks the SedgeHammer website suggets. This is majorly disappointing because I’ve got an entire section of my yard bare, waiting for this stuff to stop popping up everywhere. We could be at this for months but then again, I’ve been fighting this stuff for almost 3 years and it’s cost me a few thousand dollars at the very least, even after some compensation from the nursery who suggested it.
Do not plant any form of horsetail, you will regret it. I saw giant horsetail at the Armstrong Gardens on Morena Blvd and I was just absolutely floored. I was so angry I even spoke to the manager about it.
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Is that what those things are? We get them all the time in our front garden. They are so ugly.
Thanks for stoppin by and the follow! Followin you too
Dawn
I’ve never heard of a horsetail plant/weed, but after reading this, I guarantee you I will never plant it in my yard!
Your blog is so open and wide; I love it. I also grew up in Southern Ca. in San Diego. We visited La Jolla several times. It’s so beautifull but so expensive!!! Thanks for following me!
~Sarah
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