[jamesbrownontheroad]

As expected, we have the first green shoots of horsetail / marestail appearing on our allotment. Getting the plot in January, I spent a very muddy month or two turning the soil and weeding every possible root out of the soil ... and there were hundreds of brittle strands that looked like horsetail that I managed to remove.

So, with a big chunk of roots out, I'm just following the advice elsewhere on the forum and trying to hoe back the shoots once they get to 2-3". However in one area of the plot, we have a drill of second earlies (Lady Balfour) that were planted as seed potatoes in mid-March. Where horsetail is beginning to emerge here, should I persist with removing as much of the stem as possible from beneath the ground (and risk disturbing the potatoes, which have sprouted healthy leaves and been mounded up a few times) or leave it be to until we lift the potatoes?

In this instance the root systems are almost certainly stretching back under the adjacent communal path, so they'll be impossible to remove completely.

Thanks!  :blink:

[paintedlady]

rather than disturb the potatoes, perhaps just manually nip the tips off as soon as you see them?  It probably won't kill them, but the roots will surely weaken as it uses up stored food to keep sending shoots up and hopefully by the time you harvest the spuds, you will be able to dig more root out later

[jamesbrownontheroad]

Thanks, will give that a bash. Luckily we can be there pretty much daily so it's easily done.

[peapod]

Once any veg are established its really the only thing you can do until you can dig it over again in my experience

[Kristen]

I've forgotten when it produces spores?

I pull the tops of marestail (which usually gets me an inch-or-three of root too) straight into a supermarket bag to try to reduce the spreading of spores - or any root etc. falling on soil and growing.

[Rampant_Weasel]

second early?

says maincrop here

http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Lady%20Balfour

i have some in myself....

[Idra]

  I had the same problem with mares tail last season in my spuds.
I used acetic acid 25% solution (industrial vinegar) applied directly onto the tail with a hand spray (ex flash multisurface).The mares tail turned brown overnight and disapeared.
I have not seen any this year in the area that was treated, it is elsewhere on the plot but i have been able to aquire some more vinegar and this weekend will be treating it. (if its not raining)
Idra

[Goosegirl]

25% industrial vinegar is a new one on me! My veg plot is at the back but I have it happily rampaging through bits of my ornamental garden at the front. I heard Jeye's fluid works but don't know what strength and I tried it diluted about 5% last year with little success. I jumped up and down on the shoots to bruise them as they have silica in the "leaves" which makes it difficult to get them to absorb glyphosate sprays. I have used Casuron 4 in the past where I sprinkled the granules on the shoots and covered them with grass clippings so my cats wouldn't get it on their paws and that worked quite well. Where can I get some industrial vinegar from?

[Idra]

Goosegirl try the link below
www.reagent.co.uk/acetic-acid.html
we call it vinegar due to the smell  it is acid really so if you use it glasses & gloves required
idra

[Idra]

  Forgot to mention, be careful it will kill anything green. Really good on dandelions and docs as well

[jamesbrownontheroad]

second early?

says maincrop here

http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Lady%20Balfour

i have some in myself....

"Second early variety" according to the source, Dobies of Paignton:

http://www.dobies.co.uk/Shop/Seed+Potatoes/Potato+Lady+Balfour+-+3+kg+479169.htm

[peapod]

Goosegirl try the link below
www.reagent.co.uk/acetic-acid.html
we call it vinegar due to the smell  it is acid really so if you use it glasses & gloves required
idra

AH so THATS what my mate on Reedley Hallows was on about!

[Rampant_Weasel]

hmm, must mean u can harvest it as a 2nd early or leave it to grow on.

[gobs]

hmm, must mean u can harvest it as a 2nd early or leave it to grow on.

Yes, stores Ok, too, mine are a bit wrinkling now. The flavour is second to none category, though mine had a load of slug damage last year.

[jamesbrownontheroad]

hmm, must mean u can harvest it as a 2nd early or leave it to grow on.

Yes, stores Ok, too, mine are a bit wrinkling now. The flavour is second to none category, though mine had a load of slug damage last year.

That's good to hear: my partner and I used the blindfold-and-pin technique of choosing potatoes. Everyone our way gets excited about Arran Pilot, but if the horsetail and slugs are about, I don't imagine it matters what variety you've planted.