garden weed

[angelasashes]

can anyone out there help me with the garden weed called either (mares hair,or mares tail) We used to have a lovely garden but now its covered in this unslightly stuff.It spreads like wildfire. Just when we think we have picked it all out, back it comes.I have tried lots of over the counter weedkillers,but to no avail. Please help someone. thanks.

[cecil39]

we used to have this problem although not as bad as yours sounds, the only way is to mix a strong weed killer with wallpaper paste and using a glove smear the resulting thick gel over the whole stem ( this could take some time ) but is worth it in the long run, since there are no proper leaves the ordinary thin stuff just runs off, it also has black or dark brown roots that help it to spread, and as if thats not enough every second year it puts out pencil like 'fingers' that i beleave could be its flowers, so treat these as well if you see any, it worked for us, mix the stuff in the open air in case of fumes, and good luck.

[carlton23]

You`ll be fighting a losing battle I`m afraid. Burn it with a propane lance.

[kia cat]

angelasashes My aunt had this. It is very hard to get shot of.
After some trial and error, we mixed a glycophosphate based weedkiller with washing up liquid - a thick good one - you crush the stalks/stems to break the waxy coating and apply as cecil said.
I don't want to depress you but see this link here. It's a plant equivalent of wasps - a real pain in the neck

[phizzy]

the only sure-fire way is to remove them completely, when we moved here the 'mares tail' was everywhere and almost forest-like, dig down a good way, my wife and i went down in places more than 2 feet, be very determined, you must make sure that you remove every scrap of root or it just comes back, it took us ages but now there is no sign whatsoever. Well worth the effort long term - good luck. ps you will probably find that the ants are using the root system as a very efficient highway system, so have your ant sprays handy and kill two birds with one stone. Good luck again.