[Loopyjump]

I have some mare's tail on my plot!  ( hope that is the right name?? mare's tail / horses tail?? - horrible prehistoric looking weed!)

I've heard various methods to get rig - dig out, or crush leaves to break waxy surface before spraying with weedkiller. 

If I do dig it up - can I put it in to compost, or will it spread in there??

[sowitgrowit]

It will spread from small segments as long as you leave it alive...

[surbie100]

Definitely don't compost in my book, burn it or take it off site.

I don't have it yet, but my neighbour does nothing to remove/deal with/control hers, so I know it's only a matter of time...

[Aunt Sally]

Have a read of this:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=108544.msg1220894#msg1220894

[goodtogrow]

Not sure that even nukeing it would kill it, if we are referring to equisitum.   Plot holders on my site live with it by hoeing more regularly than the rest of us.   It grows from deep down in the subsoil doesn't it?  Leaving the hoed-off waste to wither on the surface seems to be what people on my site do.

It seems that from deep down it isn't competing with the crop and that its biggest sin is to offend the eye, and make the plot look badly kept.  Personally, I'd just hoe it and leave it, to keep a lid on it, and to discourage it from becoming ever-more establshed.

Tom

[simonwatson]

I only get to my plot once a week or so. I find that a hoeing at that interval is enough to keep it under control on my plot. There are some professional only products that work on it. Glyphosate will work, but you need to crush the leaves individually first, which takes time.

[AnneB]

Dig it up and burn it.  Repeat 5000 times.

[Aunt Sally]

Dig it up and burn it.  Repeat 5000 times.

... or more 

[Goosegirl]

Def gently crush the leaves to allow weedkiller (add some liquid soap to help it adhere) to do its job; having said that, it has silica in its leaves which is why it used to be used as a scourer for washing pots in olden times and why you just can't spray like with other weeds.  "Never let it see a Sunday" has been said on here, plus get your trowel in there and hoick the roots out. I have managed to eliminate shoots from some areas of my garden by doing this. It's an eyesore and a weed, but don't know how much actual damage it does to either plants or soil. That said, beside the usual marestail, I have ANOTHER ONE  that roots from the dyke right next to my veg beds. I so wish I had taken a pic of these massive growers that were about 3' tall and looked like a triffid forest but now the goats consumed them. Their roots can be traced back to near their origin, are very fleshy, and would have made the ordinary marestail look like a complete wuss! Be afraid - be VERY AFRAID! :blink:

[Lastcast]

Goosegirl, I've seen that giant variety growing at a local reservoir it's about 3 or 4 foot tall, must like its roots in the wet. I pray I never bring any of the spores home with me !!!