How do I permanently get rid of thistles?

Hi Sheree, Thistles in your garden can be sliced off with a hoe; cut them as close to the ground as possible. Apply herbicides to kill thistle, especially in spring and fall, before thistles can flower and seed. Use glyphosate for your garden, and use a broad-leaf herbicide containing 2,4-D or MCPP for your lawn. Here is a link to one.

https://www.amazon.com/Monterey-LG5482-0-5-PT-Thistledown/dp/B005G6J266/ref=asc_df_B005G6J266/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=196304582155&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=224915314606190157&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018090&hvtargid=aud-643191255296:pla-313862506939&psc=1

As long as there are birds, critters, even pets around they will spread seeds from anywhere. Not ever having them again may be next to impossible. To get rid of the ones in your yard or garden that exist now, it is possible. If they are small, they will pull easily with the root if you pull close to the ground and the soil is moist. They have long tap roots, so the larger ones are harder to get rid of with out breaking the tap root off. You either have to dig them up or kill them. For larger ones I cut them off close to the ground and use weed killer safe for the lawn and spray the stump. Never let the thistles get to flower or to the point of seed or you will get many more in your lawn or garden.

I love round up for things like this. Spray it on the dry plant and it will kill it all the way to the root. Remove the dead plant, be sure to get it before the thistle heads burst open with new seeds!

Stay as FAR AWAY from RoundUp as you possibly can!! Glyphosate is a known carcinogen and Monsanto has several lawsuits against them, Bayer bought out Monsanto and they have lawsuits against them now, too. You can use vinegar, salt and water to kill off weeds and anything else you want to get rid of in your yard or garden.

Roundup kills people too.

Also, Glyphosate kills all the minerals in your garden soil and you don’t get the nutrients that your body needs. Taking supplements will help you, but, you’re better off all the way around if you don’t use RoundUp.