Killing Weeds - Permanently
Discussion
I have multiple areas around my drive and sections along the sides of it that are currently gravelled, with some plants in.
We have had a growth spurt of horsetail weed and it's everywhere, out the front, side & back, according to the internet it's a nightmare to remove completely, if you ever can.
The previous owner of the house employed a gardener a few times a week as there are quite a lot of plants across the property, however myself and partner work too much to maintain it and don't want to have to employ a gardener.
I've cut back the plants on sections of the drive where the gravel is and ultimately want to completely remove all the shrubs/plants and re-gravel/bark over a new weed membrane - but not have to worry about weeds coming back. Figure if I want to plant there in future, i'll pot the plant and dig a hole.
Is there something I can put down before the weed membrane to essentially kill everything in the soil so I don't have to worry about the weeds eventually coming up again? Especially this horsetail which looks like a nightmare to get rid of!
Thought about soaking the ground in petrol or similar but ideally appreciate there are probably better solutions.
Also - if there are methods of killing horsetail without ruining the soil that would be helpful for where we want to retain plants/veggie patch.
Thanks!
We have had a growth spurt of horsetail weed and it's everywhere, out the front, side & back, according to the internet it's a nightmare to remove completely, if you ever can.
The previous owner of the house employed a gardener a few times a week as there are quite a lot of plants across the property, however myself and partner work too much to maintain it and don't want to have to employ a gardener.
I've cut back the plants on sections of the drive where the gravel is and ultimately want to completely remove all the shrubs/plants and re-gravel/bark over a new weed membrane - but not have to worry about weeds coming back. Figure if I want to plant there in future, i'll pot the plant and dig a hole.
Is there something I can put down before the weed membrane to essentially kill everything in the soil so I don't have to worry about the weeds eventually coming up again? Especially this horsetail which looks like a nightmare to get rid of!
Thought about soaking the ground in petrol or similar but ideally appreciate there are probably better solutions.
Also - if there are methods of killing horsetail without ruining the soil that would be helpful for where we want to retain plants/veggie patch.
Thanks!
Horsetail/marestail is one of the Chuck Norris's of the weed world. It was tough to deal with back in the 80s when we had a decent arsenal. Now the amateur gardener has - yep - glyphosate. Total, translocated, clever, but not residual. I'm not certain there are any residual herbicides in that market now.
I'd suggest three sprays of glyphosate at 14 day intervals, when the weather is fine and no rain likely for a day afterwards. That will give it a pretty big headache. Then, all plants need light to live so if your weed membrane is opaque that should do the trick. I've used unfolded binliners and they lasted 10-20 years. Being waterproof the soil underneath won't get any water either.
Another option is simply to dig it out. H.sapiens is smarter than E.arvense!
I'd suggest three sprays of glyphosate at 14 day intervals, when the weather is fine and no rain likely for a day afterwards. That will give it a pretty big headache. Then, all plants need light to live so if your weed membrane is opaque that should do the trick. I've used unfolded binliners and they lasted 10-20 years. Being waterproof the soil underneath won't get any water either.
Another option is simply to dig it out. H.sapiens is smarter than E.arvense!
Simpo Two said:
Horsetail/marestail is one of the Chuck Norris's of the weed world. It was tough to deal with back in the 80s when we had a decent arsenal. Now the amateur gardener has - yep - glyphosate. Total, translocated, clever, but not residual. I'm not certain there are any residual herbicides in that market now.
I'd suggest three sprays of glyphosate at 14 day intervals, when the weather is fine and no rain likely for a day afterwards. That will give it a pretty big headache. Then, all plants need light to live so if your weed membrane is opaque that should do the trick. I've used unfolded binliners and they lasted 10-20 years. Being waterproof the soil underneath won't get any water either.
Another option is simply to dig it out. H.sapiens is smarter than E.arvense!
Weed membranes don't seem to be completely effective in stopping weed growth, more just slowing them down. Referring to bin liners, would something like damp proof membrane laid over be thick enough so completely prevent weed growth?I'd suggest three sprays of glyphosate at 14 day intervals, when the weather is fine and no rain likely for a day afterwards. That will give it a pretty big headache. Then, all plants need light to live so if your weed membrane is opaque that should do the trick. I've used unfolded binliners and they lasted 10-20 years. Being waterproof the soil underneath won't get any water either.
Another option is simply to dig it out. H.sapiens is smarter than E.arvense!
I'm struggling to find the ammonium sulphamate for a decent price, now it's unavailable from amazon and the actual mistral site.
Classy6 said:
Weed membranes don't seem to be completely effective in stopping weed growth, more just slowing them down. Referring to bin liners, would something like damp proof membrane laid over be thick enough so completely prevent weed growth?
Aren't DPMs only 12" wide? Bin liners are cheaper.Simpo Two said:
Aren't DPMs only 12" wide? Bin liners are cheaper.
No? Essentially the stuff you line underneath concrete before you fill the floor in when building a house. https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-1200-Gauge-Black-D...
Something like that, weed membrane is about 100 odd gauge and permeable. This stuff is completely impermeable and 10x thicker. Comes in 4m/5m by X meters long and is cheaper than the weed membrane, too.
My only issues are: Firstly that drainage may pose an issue in certain parts of the drive, where water will just pool on top instead of soaking away. Secondly, although it will be good at keeping out the light, I can't imagine it letting the ground breathe at all. Whether this would have any adverse effects on anything, I have no idea. I assume weeds need light and water like everything else, without these they shouldn't grow!?
8-P said:
My house is proof that a) bin liners rot and b) weeds find their way through membranes. I’ve actually found thick bark chips most effective, but don’t skimp. Any weeds that do make it are weak and pull out easily. No need for anything under the bark.
I plan to use bark on top of whatever membrane goes down. This horse tail weed however is a force to be reckoned with. I don't want to chuck down a load of bark to be back in the same position. Whatever I do I want to make sure it inhibits growth of anything, completely.Rather than weed membrane use roofing membrane. Needed to keep the weeds of a patch and didn’t have any weed membrane. Used roofing membrane instead and the area remained completely weed free all throughout the winter. Didn’t add any clippings or bark, just pinned the membrane and that was it. Worked a treat. Another area was covered with weed membrane and they grew up underneath the membrane. Useless. Will use roofing membrane from now on.
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