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. 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. PTTOW! Organic producers may be able to reduce the need for tillage to control Canada thistle with system design. 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. Regardless, Canada thistle control likely will have to take place for more than one year. How do I get rid of Canadian thistle as organically as possible? There’s just no easy way to say this, my gardening friends: An invasion of thistle in your vegetable garden is bad news. 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. 2007). Spray one to two sprays of vinegar directly on the cut of each thistle plant. Answer. Still, there are plenty of non-invasive pollinator plants to choose from, so just go ahead and get rid of this menace. ... Cut the stem of each thistle plant with a knife. Thistle is one determined gardening foe. 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. Thistle – specifically Canada Thistle – appears over a wide area of the U.S. and obviously, Canada (Bull Thistle and Creeping Thistle are closely related). The plant is beneficial for pollinators that rely on nectar. Effective nonchemical methods are valid options for noxious weed control in North Dakota. If left unchecked, a single Canada thistle plant eventually turns into a patch containing thousands of stems. Many organic farmers are reducing tillage and modifying their thistle control strategies. As the root system spreads, it gives rise to new shoots. is an invite-only member network and summit that brings together leaders, from the world’s most innovative companies, along with cultural icons for high level discussions on culture, media and marketing. The key to Canada thistle's weediness is its root system. Introduction Producers in organic farming would like to reduce the amount of tillage used in their cropping systems to limit the detrimental impact of tillage on soil health (Sooby et al. This is especially important with Canada thistle. Biennials, like musk, plumeless, and bull thistle, live for two years and reproduce only by seed. 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. Thistles have a very invasive root system which is one reason why they are so difficult to get rid of. Like any plant, weeds have different life cycles and seeding methods. 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. Canada Thistle Author: K.G. The roots of Canada thistle spread aggressively, and can increase the width of a thistle patch 6 to 10 feet in a season. A small slice is all that is necessary, so do not cut the stem in half. More Information about How to Kill Thistles Without Chemicals. Since mature plants have root systems that can extend for 10 feet, you will have better luck pulling up immature plants. 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