How to kill horetail (equisetum) in landscaping - Ask Extension
Hello, I'm starting to have horsetails (equisetum) popping up in our landscaping. I know this is a particularly difficulty pest to remove effectively ...
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How to kill horetail (equisetum) in landscaping #874520
Asked June 24, 2024, 6:23 PM EDT
Hello, I'm starting to have horsetails (equisetum) popping up in our landscaping. I know this is a particularly difficulty pest to remove effectively given that its a rhisome. I've had a the top foot or so of soil removed from my landscaping to no avail. I understand Roundup, other herbicides, or home remedies (vinegar+salt, bleach) may not be very effective. Besides total destruction of my front property, do you have any suggestions for killing this beast? Thanks!
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Frank,
I feel your pain as I am also dealing with horse tail in one of my raised beds which was introduced when I added new mulch. Controlling horsetail requires diligence over many years. I am currently checking my bed 3 times a week, snipping off the plant tops and throwing them in the trash. Eventually this will starve the rhizomes. You can also manipulate your soil to make it less hospitable to the weed.
Horsetail prefers acidic, wet soils. Apply lime to raise the pH and use drip irrigation or other watering methods to prevent overly wet soil conditions. Adding Nitrogen can help your desired plants compete with the horsetail.
When ordering mulch or soil, carefully examine it for horsetail and other weeds.
Don't till the soil as this will just spread rhizomatous pieces and make matters worse.
Few herbicides have any effect on field horsetail. In non crop areas Casoron (dichlobenil) may be helpful for homeowner use. Apply in mid-winter as a pre-emergent. Be sure to read and follow the instructions on the label and use only where specified.
Here is a link to more information on horsetail. This is a relatively new website being developed by OSU and is still a work in progress, but the horsetail section is robust. https://solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/weeds/horsetail
Good luck and keep at it!
I feel your pain as I am also dealing with horse tail in one of my raised beds which was introduced when I added new mulch. Controlling horsetail requires diligence over many years. I am currently checking my bed 3 times a week, snipping off the plant tops and throwing them in the trash. Eventually this will starve the rhizomes. You can also manipulate your soil to make it less hospitable to the weed.
Horsetail prefers acidic, wet soils. Apply lime to raise the pH and use drip irrigation or other watering methods to prevent overly wet soil conditions. Adding Nitrogen can help your desired plants compete with the horsetail.
When ordering mulch or soil, carefully examine it for horsetail and other weeds.
Don't till the soil as this will just spread rhizomatous pieces and make matters worse.
Few herbicides have any effect on field horsetail. In non crop areas Casoron (dichlobenil) may be helpful for homeowner use. Apply in mid-winter as a pre-emergent. Be sure to read and follow the instructions on the label and use only where specified.
Here is a link to more information on horsetail. This is a relatively new website being developed by OSU and is still a work in progress, but the horsetail section is robust. https://solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu/weeds/horsetail
Good luck and keep at it!