How do you stop Canada thistle from spreading?

Managing Canada thistle requires treatment in the spring to prevent seed set and eliminate the first flush of growth, and in the fall to maximize injury to the root system. Choose one spring treatment and one fall treatment. The spring treatment is applied at bud to early-bloom stage.

How do I permanently get rid of thistle?

Use glyphosate for your garden, and use a broad-leaf herbicide containing 2,4-D or MCPP for your lawn. Since glyphosate kills all plants, you must keep application specific. Use a sponge to apply, or cut thistle plants and then use an eye-dropper to put a drop or two into the stem.

What kills thistle naturally?

A homemade herbicide consisting of vinegar and salt may be effective at killing unwanted thistle plants. The vinegar needs to contain at least 20 percent acetic acid to be effective at killing weeds.

How can Canada thistle be controlled organically?

The plants should be cut as short as possible, with repeated mowing as plants regrow. Persistence is key. Several years may be required to deplete the root stores. Adding alfalfa to an annual crop rotation and mowing it for hay can suppress Canada thistle.

Should I pull Canada thistle?

Organic Canada Thistle Control Find the base of the Canada thistle plant and simply snip it off at the base. Do not pull Canada thistle out, as this can split the root, which causes two Canada thistles to grow back. Check the location weekly and snip off any new growth that you may see.

What kills thistles not grass?

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.

How do you stop thistles from growing back?

Among myriad available weed sprays, glyphosate proves to be effective on thistle. Apply to individual cut stems an inch or two above the soil line, taking careful aim of the weed sprayer to avoid contact with desirable plants. Reapplication in several weeks may be needed for well-established thistle.

What is the best herbicide for Canada thistle?

Glyphosate (marketed as Round-up and many other brands) can be applied to Canada thistle plants at or beyond the bud stage. An herbicide containing a 40% or higher concentration of glyphosate should be used, and it should be mixed to a 2% product spray solution.

How do I get rid of thistle in hay fields?

Herbicides are often the most flexible and affordable option for thistle control in pastures. However, like mowing, timing is an important factor for many herbicides. Several commonly used pasture herbicides are highly effective on thistles if applied early in the growing season (Table 2).

How deep do Canadian thistle roots go?

6 to 15 feet deep
Phenology. Emergence. Canada thistle develops from seed or vegetative buds in its root system. Horizontal roots may extend 15 feet or more and vertical roots may grow 6 to 15 feet deep.

What product kills Canadian thistle?

We recommend using 2,4-D Amine Selective Weed Killer to treat Canada Thistle. This professional-quality herbicide is easy to use and is selective so it will only target the problem weed and leave your desired plants unharmed.

When should I spray thistle?

Q: What is the optimal herbicide treatment timing? Treat in late winter or early spring when thistles are still rosettes to maximize spring forage production. While several herbicides are effective on large, bolted thistle, the risk of forage injury increases the longer you wait to spray.