I would like to curb the proliferation of this plant so that I may grow a garden using raised beds. What is the best way for me to go about this?

Reporter
March 30, 2014, 4:46 a.m.

Hi, Matthew. Sorry for the long delay in getting back to you. There really isn't much I can recommend for horsetail. Their main thing is that they like the really wet soils; if only there were an easy way to fix really wet soils in Oregon! Any herbicide that would work on horestail tends towards 'very toxic,' so I don't have any recommendations on that front. One strategy might be to put in native that like wet soil, like nine-bark, or sedges. Those will help pull more moisture out of the soil. And then (sorry) regular pulling to go along with it.

Not probably what you wanted to hear, but drop a line (mitch.bixby@portlandoregon.gov) if you want to chat more.

-Mitch

Mitch Bixby
April 29, 2014, 11:13 p.m.