Get Rid Of Horsetail Weed With A Simple Lawn Mowing Tip

If you've ever battled horsetail weeds in your yard, you know just how stubborn these plants can be. Horsetail (genus Equisetum) has been around since prehistoric times, and it sure acts like it! This ancient, fast-growing weed is notorious for being tough to eliminate, thanks to its deep root system and ability to grow back quickly, even after you think you've gotten the horsetail out of your lawn. Horsetail can thrive in various soil conditions, but it especially loves damp, compacted areas.

What makes it such a pain is its resistance to most herbicides and its persistence once it invades your lawn. The plant's underground rhizomes can spread rapidly, making it feel like an unending cycle of removal and regrowth. However, there's good news — there's a simple lawn mowing tip that can help you reduce horsetail and weaken its growth over time: Mow regularly and mow low. Horsetail thrives when it's left to grow tall and unchecked. By mowing your lawn regularly and at a low height, you prevent the horsetail from developing fully and gaining strength. The trick here is consistency.

Now, let's get into the details of how this tip works and how to do it properly. First, you'll need to know the right length to mow your lawn to so you can adjust your mower's cutting height. Setting it lower, ideally 2 inches, will help you trim the horsetail before it can produce spores and spread even further. Be careful not to scalp your grass in the process, though, especially if you have a grass species that prefers a slightly higher mowing height.

Mowing frequently is key. Horsetail grows fast, so it's important to stay on top of it by mowing regularly, especially during its peak growing periods. Each time you mow, you weaken the plant's ability to photosynthesize and grow deeper roots, and over time, this will help you get rid of it. Don't leave the grass clippings on your lawn. Leaving them can encourage further spread, especially if horsetail spores or seeds are present in the clippings. Removing them helps cut down the chances of the weed reestablishing itself.

Consistent mowing and a bit of lawn care can significantly reduce the presence of horsetail in your yard; however, it's important to note that it may not get rid of horsetail for good. Since mowing doesn't actually kill the roots of the horsetail, it may continue to come back. Combining mowing with other prevention methods, like lawn aeration and targeted herbicides, is the best way to minimize its impact.