Is your garden overrun with snake grass plants? Are you wondering how to kill snake grass plant? Snake grass plants are pesky and invasive. They can take over an area quickly, choking out other plants in the process. If you’re looking for information on how to kill snake grass plants, you’ve come to the right place. This article will provide you with tips and tricks on how to eradicate this weed from your landscape.
How to kill snake grass plant
Snake grass (Equisetum spp.) is a very invasive weed, and it can be challenging to get rid of once it has established itself. It grows in USDA zones 3 to 11 and is commonly referred to as horsetail. If you’re struggling to control this annoying weed, try one of the following eradication methods:
Pulling by hand
To avoid damaging nearby plants, remove snake grass by hand using a pair of gloves. It’s best to first remove the seed heads before pulling snake grass to reduce the plant’s chance to regrow.
Pulling snake grass is becoming more popular because it’s an environmentally friendly way to eliminate this weed. Snake grass plants are very hardy, and they can reproduce both via seeds and rhizomes. Because of this, removing the root system will be your best bet for eradicating them from your landscape. Digging 6 to 8 inches into the soil should remove most of the snake grass plants’ roots. Discard or compost the plants immediately.
Solarization
Another environmentally friendly way to remove snake grass is through solarization. Cover your garden or landscape beds with a tarp or large piece of plastic. This blocks out the light and will kill the plant reasonably quickly.
Use an excavator
If you have a lot of snake grass in your yard, consider renting an excavator from a local equipment rental store. You’ll be able to dig up huge chunks of soil containing the snake grass plants. This is by far one of the best ways to remove it. You won’t be left with any pesky weed clippings, and you may even be able to use the soil in your landscape afterwards.
Use herbicides
Using an herbicide is another way to kill snake grass plants. Select a non-selective, post-emergent herbicide, such as glyphosate. Spray the leaves of the grass, following the instructions on the label. Although it’s best to do this when the snake grass is actively growing in early spring or late fall, you can spray at any time during the growing season.
Get help from a professional
If you have a large area that is overrun with snake grass plants, consider hiring a professional. It may be costly, but it will save you the time and effort to remove this pesky weed.
How to kill snake grass plant: Conclusion
Snake grass plants are not an attractive feature in your yard or landscape and are also very invasive. If you try one of these methods for killing snake grass, you should see a much more beautiful garden in the future.
There are also decorative snake grass plants. If you happen to have that type, here are some great snake plant arrangement ideas.
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