Whats the best control for Horse Tail?
Equisetum or Horse Tail is an invasive perennial that is closely related to the ferns. It grows on extensive and fragile rhizomes. They are extremely difficult to remove from the soil once they have become established. Any of the remaining bud bearing stem or rhizome pieces have the potential to become new plants. Map out the area with the equisetum and plan to garden elsewhere until the problem can be finally resolved. Remove all of the top growth, rake up any stem pieces, and get that material out of the garden. Dig out as much of the rhizome system as possible. Repeat the process when you see new equisetum stems breaking the soil surface. Be prepared to repeat the removal of top growth and the digging out of the rhizomes a number of times. Eventually, the rhizomes weaken and die.
