Horse tail and tilling - Ask Extension
Hi!
I’m early September I emailed about my horse tail that has taken over my garden. It was recommended to cover to kill it. That has been done. I ...
Knowledgebase
Horse tail and tilling #869197
Asked May 20, 2024, 9:11 AM EDT
Hi!
I’m early September I emailed about my horse tail that has taken over my garden. It was recommended to cover to kill it. That has been done. I also did a soil test and have a good idea what minerals to add. My soil has a lot of clay. I need to till to plant. Will the horse tail
Come back? What do you recommend? Till and tarp for another season? Till and put weed fabric? Help!:)
Thank you
Farrah<personal data hidden>
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi, Farrah,
It is very likely that the horsetail will re-sprout if you uncover it now. It would have been dormant underground during the winter anyway, and this is the season when it would naturally start rapid growth. If you leave it completely covered through the hot, baking summer, you might consider uncovering a small area next fall and see what does or does not grow. I certainly don't recommend tilling the area until you have established that the horsetail is really dead, which could take several seasons. Tilling won't hurt it, and may just spread roots around to grow more.
Here is a link with more resources on dealing with horsetail, which is VERY hard to get rid of.
https://solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/weeds/horsetail
It is very likely that the horsetail will re-sprout if you uncover it now. It would have been dormant underground during the winter anyway, and this is the season when it would naturally start rapid growth. If you leave it completely covered through the hot, baking summer, you might consider uncovering a small area next fall and see what does or does not grow. I certainly don't recommend tilling the area until you have established that the horsetail is really dead, which could take several seasons. Tilling won't hurt it, and may just spread roots around to grow more.
Here is a link with more resources on dealing with horsetail, which is VERY hard to get rid of.
https://solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/weeds/horsetail
