Thistles thistles

riflehunter77

Hey just after a bit of advice we put in a new lawn 3 yrs back but we are overrun with thistles. Any ideas on getting rid of same I've been using a spade to try kill off as many as I could. There is a 10 acre field right beside us which during the summer months is full of them. Any tips on getting rid of these would be great.

redser7

Depends on the size of your garden. In my (small) garden I find they come out easily and cleanly with one of these ...
https://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=923&q=weeding+tool&oq=weeding+too&gs_l=img.3.0.0l6j0i5l4.1121.4281.0.5787.13.12.1.0.0.0.59.529.12.12.0....0...1ac.1.43.img..1.12.493.8cHmds5q6co#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=vnnO6POXN7e1sM%253A%3BuLKQYY_MvpAYjM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fecx.images-amazon.com%252Fimages%252FI%252F31QWdYaJdSL.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F---chazz.squidoo.com%252Fbasic-gardening-essentials-a-guide-to-the-best-garden-tools-and-accessories%3B500%3B239

Some people go straight for chemical poison.

If your lawn is healthy, weeds are less likely to get a foot hold so a good maintenance program throughout the year will keep them out to a large extent.

riflehunter77

Garden is about 3/4 of an acre. I find as soon as get rid of some with the spade. There is many more in its place.

redser7

There'd be folks on here better able to advise you about land that size. I imagine you'll need poison or a strong back and persistence.

LurkerNo1

With that field next to you it will be an on going problem.
Sure top lawn maintenance will help but you'll still be dealing with it.
Thistles produce a large amount of seed and are easily blown about by wind.
Those you do manage to get out make sure you get the whole root.
Can you talk to the farmer about it? Maybe see if he will spray them.

rickmoister

I had a similar problem and I discovered by accident that a fist full of weed and feed put directly on the thistle is very effective.