This article was co-authored by Ben Barkan and by How.com.vn staff writer, Eric McClure. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, is licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and is a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Thistles are one of the most stubborn weeds out there. They’re so invasive and obnoxious that it’s even illegal in some places to not remove them. They can be really tricky to kill, but you can definitely get rid of them if you’re persistent. It will likely take you 2 or 3 growing seasons to completely remove them, but don’t get discouraged.
Here are 10 effective ways you can get rid of even the most stubborn thistles.
Steps
- Certain animals, like goats and cattle, will gladly eat thistles. If you happen to run a farm or you manage livestock, there are a few animals who will gladly snack on thistles to keep things under control. Goats are likely the best candidate, so let them graze in the area where you’ve got thistles.[19] Cattle will also occasionally snack on thistle plants, although some cows aren’t quite as fond of the plants as others will be.[20]
- The livestock won’t totally remove the thistles, but this is a solid way to keep the problem under control while you’re dealing with the issue in other ways. Just don’t let your livestock snack on any thistles you’ve chemically treated.
- Chickens may snack on thistles, although some poultry farmers claim that they aren’t good for chickens. Unfortunately, there isn’t a ton of research out there on this.
- Thistle can be toxic to some livestock, although it’s rare that the animals will eat enough of it to cause any harm. Still, just to be safe, make sure that any livestock have other options available so that they aren’t eating a diet consisting of 100% thistle.===Vinegar===
- Vinegar is probably the only natural DIY option that will kill thistles. Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle. Then, spritz the vinegar directly onto the thistle plants until the plants are dripping with vinegar. Typically, this means 1 or 2 sprays per plant. Expect the vinegar to take a few days to a week to kill the thistles. Once they’re dead, throw on some gloves, pull up the dead plants, and throw them out in a garbage bag.[21]
- Your thistles will likely grow back relatively soon. Keep repeating this process until they’re totally gone. The root system should dry out and die after several growing seasons.
- Thistles are pretty persistent, and standard white vinegar isn’t particularly potent—usually it’s 5% vinegar. If possible, pick up some industrial-strength 20% white vinegar and use that.[22]
- You may need to reapply the vinegar after it rains.
Expert Q&A
- QuestionHow can I kill thistles naturally?Tyler RadfordTyler Radford is a Plant Specialist at Hollie’s Farm & Garden in Tampa, Florida. With over nine years of experience, Tyler specializes in gardening, planting, mulching, and potting. Hollie’s Farm & Garden is a full-service landscape nursery offering landscape supplies including trees, shrubs, mulch, and flagstone.
Plant SpecialistFor thistles, I recommend using a white vinegar spray to kill them. - QuestionHow do I get rid of the tingle left in my fingers if I didn't wear gloves?How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerThistles are prickly, but they aren't poisonous to humans. If they were thistles, the stinging should go away on its own. It's possible that you actually removed stinging nettles, which are commonly confused for thistles and can cause a lingering stinging feeling. The hairs on stinging nettle release an irritant when they're touched. The feeling should go away in a few hours. If you develop a rash and it starts itching, you may be allergic to nettles. See a doctor if the issue doesn't get better in a few hours. - QuestionCan I use a controlled fire to burn thistles?How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerThis may curb the problem temporarily, but it's dangerous and the thistles are very likely to grow back the following year.
Video
Tips
- Thistles grow and spread by the seeds they produce, but their roots grow so wide and deep that a single root system can support multiple plants. They can also regrow from small pieces of the plant even after it has been removed from the roots. This is why it’s so important to take multiple measures to combat the thistles and remove every scrap of the plant that you pull up.Thanks
Warnings
- Some people believe that soil aeration helps kill thistles, but it is possible (if not likely) that aerating your soil will have the opposite effect. Most thistle varieties thrive in well-aerated soil, and if the roots aren’t dead they may grow faster.[25]Thanks
- Many folks mistakenly believe fertilizing their soil will help kill thistles, but unfortunately, this often just helps them grow. This may help surrounding plants in the long-term if you fertilize after applying a herbicide to the thistles, but fertilization on its own is likely just going to help them flourish.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/weeds/creeping-thistle
- ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ag253
- ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/glyphosate-roundup-understanding-risks-to-human-health
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/weeds/creeping-thistle
- ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/weeds/creeping-thistle
- ↑ https://www.cal-ipc.org/resources/library/publications/ipcw/report29/
- ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/seeding-and-sodding-home-lawns
- ↑ https://www.jstor.org/stable/4040707?seq=1
- ↑ Ben Barkan. Garden & Landscape Designer. Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5410109.pdf
- ↑ https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_036467.pdf
- ↑ Ben Barkan. Garden & Landscape Designer. Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5410109.pdf
- ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ag253
- ↑ https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_036467.pdf
- ↑ https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/are-there-alternatives-to-glyphosate-for-weed-control-in-landscapes
- ↑ Ben Barkan. Garden & Landscape Designer. Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.
- ↑ Ben Barkan. Garden & Landscape Designer. Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.
- ↑ Ben Barkan. Garden & Landscape Designer. Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.
- ↑ https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/milk-thistle
- ↑ Tyler Radford. Plant Specialist. Expert Interview. 6 October 2020.
- ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/vinegar-alternative-glyphosate
- ↑ https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5410130.pdf
- ↑ https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5410130.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cal-ipc.org/resources/library/publications/ipcw/report29/
About This Article
To get rid of thistles, cut off any unopened buds or flowers as soon as you see them to prevent the plants from going to seed. If the plant has fully matured, cut them at the base, right under the leaves. Alternatively, use a weeding tool or your hands to pull out the plant by the roots. After getting rid of the thistles, prevent the growth of new plants by spreading a heavy layer of mulch over your garden, or any bare spots in your yard. For more advice, including how to get rid of thistles using herbicides, keep reading.
Reader Success Stories
- "I have an abundant thistle crop in my landscaping (flower beds). Completely out of control, no matter how much pulling I do. What a waste of my life. I am going to use the information about the herbicides, especially the suggestion of hand application, since the thistles are growing near and among the flowers and shrubs. I am hopeful this will help a lot."..." more
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