What's the best way to get rid of thistle?

Cheryl
by Cheryl
Stopped mowing part of font yard about 5 years ago. Thistle has taken over a large area and is coming into the lawn? Suggestions?? we prefer not to use poison as there are grandkids here. In Michigan.
  11 answers
  • Debbie Gates Debbie Gates on Jun 05, 2013
    Put your gloves on and cut the thistle as close to the ground as possible, then pour a teaspoon or so of just plain old table salt on the cut part of the stem or root. The salt will be absorbed into the root system and it will keep the plant from coming back. It's organic and very inexpensive and it works on all weeds. It will kill your plants too so use it with caution and don't let it spill or get spread everywhere. This will even kill shrubs that you are trying to get rid of that "sucker up" from the roots. You can pour it into the cracks of your sidewalk or between your pavers and bricks and it will keep the weeds at bay. Hope this helps.
  • Z Z on Jun 05, 2013
    Awesome tip @Debbie Gates.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jun 06, 2013
    We just used a hoe in the pastures when I was growing up.(That was our #1 punishment) Actually works quite well if you get them before they flower, you will begin to see fewer and fewer. If you practice a bit you can take the corner of a hoe and get enough of the plant in one smartly given chop to keep it from growing back. Did you know that Milk Thistle is used in eastern type herbal medicine for liver disfunction? It has a dark green leaf with white spots on it. http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/assets/milk_thistle_235x35.jpg
  • Cheryl P Cheryl P on Jun 06, 2013
    Humming birds and butterflies love thistle...
  • Cheryl Cheryl on Jun 07, 2013
    Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
  • Cheryl Cheryl on Jun 07, 2013
    Going to try the salt trick. I know the hummingbirds like the thistle, but it is spreading and hurts if a kid touches it or steps on it while wearing sandals. Not sure I want to just let it keep spreading.
  • Steph Mike Steph Mike on Jun 07, 2013
    If it's an area where you don't mind killing off other vegetation/anything else over there go with a dousing of white vinegar? We just started doing this on our gravel (weed heaven) drive way and its worked wonderfully.
  • Cheryl Cheryl on Jun 08, 2013
    We did try a vinegar/salt/dish soap mixture a couple weeks ago. It dried up a patch where we sprayed it but shoots are regrowing. I read that you need to use 10% strength vinegar, not the regular stuff from the store. But then you also need skin and eye protection.
  • Steph Mike Steph Mike on Jun 09, 2013
    I have just been straight dumping regular white vinegar and it kills those driveway weeds dead within 24 hours! Although, I am liberal and douse 'em pretty thoroughly. Nothing has regrown but the vinegar was a little costly due to buying so many jugs of it.
  • Cheryl Cheryl on Jun 10, 2013
    Thanks, will try this.
  • Keith Widgington Keith Widgington on Jul 09, 2015
    I've been using white vinegar mixed with salt, you can add a bit of any oil to help it stay. Use pickling vinegar if you have any it's a bit stronger. I suggest you put it in a garden sprayer ( the type you hand pump) is is quicker and more efficient. Cut the thistle down as much as possible. Then spray away. Make sure you saturate the thistle . Spray in the morning it works best if done on a sunny day. It helps dry out the thistle. Keep the spray nozzle close to the ground to prevent any wind from blowing it around. Keep pets and children away while spraying. As an aside if you have hydrangeas and want to change the Color of the flowers to anything from pink to blue and a table spoon or two to a watering can full of water mix and water the ground around the plant. Do this about once a week and you'll give an easy beautiful facelift to your garden.. Enjoy.