My last giant horsetail (equisetum) update was in July, a month after the nursery who recommended I plant giant horsetail in my yard, started using a poison called SedgeHammer to try to prevent it’s rapid spread and eventually kill it off. For those of you who don’t know, horsetail (equisetum) is an invasive weed that can be incredibly damaging and take over your yard. It can spread underneath your driveway to the other side, and go deep under concrete fence footings to reach your neighbor’s house. Our problem has been going on for about 3+ years and has been a costly disaster. I want to do an update because it’s one of the most widely searched topics on my blog (other than flying long haul with kids). That makes me think that others are having the same problem and I want to help.
Here’s my 2 prior posts about the situation:
Killing Giant Horsetail Update
Killing Giant Horsetail: My Giant Nightmare
The post photo is a stalk of giant horsetail about a month after an application of SedgeHammer. The SedgeHammer does work but it’s taking a LONG TIME. What happens is that the stalks gradually shrivel up and die. The nursery who is doing the applications has lost the sense of urgency about it, probably since the SedgeHammer is working. I intend to change that because I am very anti poison in my yard. The thought of it makes me crazy even though I’ve been assured “it’s safe”. The nursery told me they would come once a week until the giant horsetail is gone, but that drifted to every 2 weeks and now it’s been a month since the last application, though it’s holiday season.
I think that if it was really applied once a week, the problem would definitely go away faster. Because when the stalks are allowed to live, that means that the underground runners are still growing. I think it’s key to stop the growth of the underground system. So if you have horsetail, you may want to try SedgeHammer but be diligent about applying it frequently. I am not personally doing the applications (I refused since this isn’t my fault) to the giant horsetail so please do your research before you apply anything like this yourself. Just wanted to let you know that I think it does work. The thicker giant horsetail stalks take longer to die. The new, skinny ones will totally die off with one application.
Giant Horsetail is nasty, stay miles away from it. In fact, I would stay away from all varieties of horsetail. It grows in the wild but it’s also sold at almost every nursery. Avoid it at all costs, especially the giant kind which recommended for our yard (behind a n expensive chemical barrier that was unable to control it). Don’t let people tell you that if you put horsetail in a planter that it’s going to be ok. All it takes is for one stalk to break off and blow away without you noticing and then root in your yard. Then you have a huge problem.
 Update #2 on http://lajollamom.com){kind=link}
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I fighting vineweed here. The roots of vineweed can go as deep as 20 to 30 feet. It will choak everything else off. It’s a constant battle. You have to keep any vegetation that comes up from it pulled. Don’t let the leaves get that sunlight or the roots just keep on growing. It spreads really fast.
Another awful plant I see in stores/catalogues alot is seddum. Man that stuff takes over and blows everywhere and reroots itself.
My mom got it in her yard from the neighbors stuff blowing over. It took about four years to finally get rid of it. It’s suppose to be a ground cover, but it just takes over. Nasty!
Sorry, about post above, I meant to say I’m fighting vineweed here. Having problems with my glasses, need a newer prescription of glasses I think.
Oh my goodness! I feel so sorry for you trying to deal with this! Good tips! I have seen inpenatrable fences of this horrible scorge…I
check out my link above for an article I wrote on the evils of this plant…which might actually be an alien from another planet-lol!
GartenGrl
.-= Cool Garden Things´s last blog ..How to Grow Avocado =-.
Not sure if last post went through-I just thought you would enjoy this link about Horsetail that GartenGrl wrote for our blog Cool Garden Things -Weed Watch
.-= Cool Garden Things´s last blog ..How to Grow Avocado =-.
I am having the same trouble here at the North Carolina Coast. — Any updates on your experience with SledgeHammer ?? I have located two dealers here in town and WILL give it a determined try. Thanks.
Horsetail is a great herb. It is high in silica, which helps build strong bones, nail, hair. Look it up on the web. It’s an awesome herb. I have some planted in my backyard and it does not escape. Of course, I live in Arizona, where things don’t live if they are not watered manually.
but horsetail is a GREAT herb. I BUY it, however it has to be organically grown. You could possibly start your own herb business or sell it to herb businesses that use large amts of it. IF it’s not sprayed or hasn’t been in 3 yrs. Which it doesn’t look like yours is organic.
If you have something invasive and you haven’t been able to get rid of it, take a clue from those in the SE USA. They have found ways to USE kudzu!
God speed.
Janine
I have a large area of horsetail planted in my yard. Before I apply Sedgehammer, is there a benefit to cutting it down to ground level and then applying the herbicide?
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