Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: hammers07 on June 10, 2007, 15:37

Title: ERADICATING horsetail and bindweed
Post by: hammers07 on June 10, 2007, 15:37
having prepared my allotment this year with much digging (it was badly overgrown and i've had to dig it by hand to remove the couch grass - which i'm pleased to say hasn't come back yet) i am still beingh troubled by horestail and bindweed. There are a number of concoctions that you can use to get rid off this but my question is when should i do it. Should i wait until the winter and continue removing it by hand or is it safe to spay it or traeat soil with something now . Is ther something that will kill both ?
Title: ERADICATING horsetail and bindweed
Post by: WG. on June 10, 2007, 16:10
Please update your profile (http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=2820) so that we can all see how to reply.  It helps to know where you are (approx) and whether you are seeking remedies considered to be organic.
Title: organic remedies please
Post by: hammers07 on June 10, 2007, 16:18
updated profile - organic please
Title: ERADICATING horsetail and bindweed
Post by: WG. on June 10, 2007, 16:23
If you have a rotovator, then persistent and repeated shallow rotovation will help a lot.   4 times or more per annum.

Amcide is an organic weedkiller. Strim off tops first so as to expose a cut surface.   Safe to replant after 6 weeks.

Otherwise it is a black polythene mulch.

Thanks for updating Profile, BTW
Title: ERADICATING horsetail and bindweed
Post by: fatbelly on June 10, 2007, 16:39
I have also inherited a overgrown lot which was covered in couch-grass, mares-tail and dock. I am slowly working my way down the plot digging and taking every weed out by hand. Its very time consuming but the bit I have done has stayed weed free, I know that they will return but because I have taken them all out then they will only return slowly.
Title: ERADICATING horsetail and bindweed
Post by: Aunt Sally on June 10, 2007, 22:33
I'm afraid marestail roots go down 1-1.5 metres, so it's a bit of an Arnie Schwarzenegger of the weed world... "I'll be back"  :evil: