Reply To: Taken On Allotment – Horsetail

[Hazelky]

I haven’t had horsetail, but bindweed, nettles, creeping thistle and couch. I covered with cardboard, thick banana boxes – collected daily free from Morrison’s – overlapped and compost on top. It did take some time to collect and open the boxes and spread them with no gaps, but I have not had to uncover and I planted into the 10cm of compost same year. I only have a small allotment about a third standard size and just did a small bed at a time, 4 feet across and 10 feet long. With the little re emergence at sides and on path I have a trusty old bread knife. I slip it into the soil beside the root and saw the root as far down as I can, pull out and firm down so no light gets down. I have to Keep at it but only a few villains a week now – started last April. Maybe you could try the bread knife (or reasonable facsimile) around the tree? Good luck with whatever you do.