yard full of the Canadian thistle

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motts1 south central, WI(Zone 5a) Apr 05, 2004

My sister did not get the big thistle by the woodpile pulled out last fall and it has seeded all over her yard. She would like to use an organic weedkiller, as she has grandkids and also want to plant the yard in native (no care) plants.
Any ideas??

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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Apr 06, 2004

Ugh. Roundup? (You might also coach her that there IS such a thing as "low maintenance" gardening, but "no care" gardening doesn't exist, unless she likes asphalt or concrete ;o) and native plants will still require some TLC until they get a year or two's growth.)

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motts1 south central, WI(Zone 5a) Apr 06, 2004

Hi, I should have said low maintenence-she does enjoy the garden, just not much time anymore. I am looking for one of those kid harnesses for one of her grandkids ( I was on one as a kid) , this little one darts out so quick and Grannie can't catch him. When she is done babysitting, she would like to do a bit of garden work and relax with Mother Nature.
I mentioned Round-Up. She had heard of some organic stuff, but could not find it and the stuff I saw, was to be used in fall and did not list thistles. So still looking and saving plants for her.

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Kathleen Panama, NY(Zone 5a) Apr 06, 2004

Tell your sister that the Nature Conservancy uses Round-Up on occasion. If she sprays it on a good, dry day when the children won't be around, it shouldn't be a problem. the plants absorb it into themselves and it uses photosynthesis to do the deed. Not that I am a lover of Round-Up, but it does have its uses, and I'd say thistles are definitely on that list.

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Dea Frederick, MD(Zone 6a) Apr 06, 2004

How about some vinegar in a spray bottle? Use it early in the day when she knows there will be full sun.

Ouch on those grandbabies little tootsies!

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leaflady Hughesville, MO(Zone 5a) Apr 06, 2004

A dandelion remover will also cut the crown off Canadian Thistle which will kill it. I haven't had much success with herbicides with plants that have such large long tap roots. Lacking a danelion remover just use a shovel and shove it hard cutting the plant off an inch or so below the soil level. If you happen to wear cowboy or Wellington boots you can use the heel of it to backward kick it out of the ground.

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