Many organic farmers are reducing tillage and modifying their thistle control strategies. Pull up as many of the existing thistle plants as you can, both mature plants and seedlings, making sure to get the whole root network. Spray one to two sprays of vinegar directly on the cut of each thistle plant. More Information about How to Kill Thistles Without Chemicals. How do I get rid of Canadian thistle as organically as possible? 2007). As the root system spreads, it gives rise to new shoots. Learn how to get rid of thistle and the best way to control thistles in your garden without resorting to scorching the earth with chemicals. Organic farmers face a serious challenge when controlling Canada thistle and other noxious weeds, but insisting that noxious weeds must be controlled by synthetic herbicides is incorrect. A small slice is all that is necessary, so do not cut the stem in half. The key to Canada thistle's weediness is its root system. Thistle is one determined gardening foe. While most people familiar with Canada thistle will tell you that it’s a good-for-nothing, it’s worth noting that the flowers are filled with nectar beloved by pollinators. ... Cut the stem of each thistle plant with a knife. This is a rare win-win situation because the greatest thistle control coincided with the grazing system that gave the best production and best utilization of thistle.” For more information or to receive an electronic version of the booklet, How to Win the War on Canada Thistle, contact Bork at 403-492-3843 or [email protected]. Canada Thistle Author: K.G. Effective nonchemical methods are valid options for noxious weed control in North Dakota. Organic producers may be able to reduce the need for tillage to control Canada thistle with system design. PTTOW! Regardless, Canada thistle control likely will have to take place for more than one year. This isn't a magic bullet, but it can be really effective and is a much better tool to get rid of thistles organically than we've ever had. There’s just no easy way to say this, my gardening friends: An invasion of thistle in your vegetable garden is bad news. The roots of Canada thistle spread aggressively, and can increase the width of a thistle patch 6 to 10 feet in a season. Thistle – specifically Canada Thistle – appears over a wide area of the U.S. and obviously, Canada (Bull Thistle and Creeping Thistle are closely related). Biennials, like musk, plumeless, and bull thistle, live for two years and reproduce only by seed. Answer. Since mature plants have root systems that can extend for 10 feet, you will have better luck pulling up immature plants. If left unchecked, a single Canada thistle plant eventually turns into a patch containing thousands of stems. This cool season perennial (Zones 2-8), known for its difficulty to kill and its desire to take over your garden completely and totally, is a scourge for gardeners. To recap the three pronged organic management approach that I’ve come up with to combat Canadian Thistle: 1) Selective removal of plants 2) Graze/mow high 3) Open up the compacted soil. This is especially important with Canada thistle. Still, there are plenty of non-invasive pollinator plants to choose from, so just go ahead and get rid of this menace. Thistles have a very invasive root system which is one reason why they are so difficult to get rid of. 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