Thistles (at least Canada, musk and bull) seems to be a fairly weak plant IME. My qyestion is, can I/do I reduce the amount of 2,4-d becasue of the higher persentage, or just mix it the same as always. The plant has colonized much of North America and is a pest plant in the garden and in agriculture. I can't speak to the thistles, since I have never had any. nual), Spanishneedles, Sunflower, Sweetclover, Tansymustard, Tansyragwort, Thistle Bull, Thistle Musk, Thistle Russian, Velvetleaf, Vervains, Vetch, Water Plantain, Witchweed, W ormwood, Yellow Rocket, Yellow Starthistle. Next day they would be black, like they had been dead for a week. I can't remember what I used off hand. Yes, 2-4-D will take out broadleaves and not harm grasses. To kill the roots a late fall spraying before a frost is the only way to do it. What I have is a cuople of dry creek bottoms in a two community parks. Target Pests It is difficult to control because its extensive root system allows it to recover from control attempts. The seeds are dispersed by the wind. Similarly, if herbicide application does not kill the plant, which is not too uncommon, regrowth and seeding will occur. I pluck the seed heads off musk thistle if I miss them, but that's not practical with Canadians. For more information, see Noxious Weed Lists and Laws or visit the website of the Washington State Noxious Weed Contr… Been fightin them accursed Canada thistle myself lately. A mix suggested by Dow is Curtail, (NOT a restricted use herbicide) which is a mix of clopyralid and 2-4D. Public and private landowners are not required to control infestations of bull thistle that occur on their property in King County. It, too, grows tall—up to about 6 feet. A couple of the chemicals suggested are restricted use (pesticide applicator license required) for Tordon or Grazon. The first documented report of musk thistle in Kansas was from a collection made in Washington County inI 1932. The key to successful musk thistle control is to prevent seed production. If left unchecked, a single Canada thistle plant eventually turns into a patch containing thousands of stems. Apply herbicides such as Tordon, Milestone, Transline, Perspective, Vanquish/Clarity or 2,4-D to musk thistle rosettes in spring or fall. (aka nodding thistle) is a native of Europe. Legal status in King County, Washington. The two common thistles in Whatcom County are Canada thistle and bull thistle. Weeds can greatly impact the overall carrying capacity of a hayfield. Mow or cut the thistle … The roots of Canada thistle spread aggressively, and can increase the width of a thistle patch 6 to 10 feet in a season. The plant has colonized much of North America and is a pest plant in the garden and in agriculture. Weeds can greatly impact the overall carrying capacity of a hayfield. Glyphosate will also kill grasses that compete with bull thistle, so treatment with glyphosate should be combined with effective re‐vegetation of the site to prevent seedlings from re‐ infesting the area. Only takes 4 CC to a gallon. On smaller plants, the whole stem and branches are spiny-winged. The leaves of a bull thistle are large, woody and are flatted and basal rosette during their firs… “For a beef operation, the reduction can be between 42 and 72 percent. IIRC 2-4-D for home use is about 7%,(Ortho from Home Depto etc.) Bull thistle is a Class C Noxious Weed in Washington, first listed in 1988. Russian thistle is a bushy summer annual with numerous slender ascending stems that become quite woody at maturity. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Apply Shredder 2,4-D LV6 Herbicide to kill annual, biennial and perennial weeds such as bull thistle, cornflower, wild lettuce and goldenrod. You can also use various brands of sticker. However, since you cannot legally use chlorsulfuron in some states, including California and Montana, select another herbicide instead, such as one that contains aminopyralid. Spring and fall are typically when thistle is actively growing. baking soda, sprinkled on and around the stem, will kill 'em. This is not a guess but info from the chemical companies and university studies. What I have is a cuople of dry creek bottoms in a two community parks. In the winter, thistle is usually dormant. Need some advice of which one to use 2-4D doesn't seem to work.Don't want to kill everything like Round Up does. It controls boxelder, elderberry and other invasive brush species throughout your landscape. Bull Thistle is a really invasive weed. Crabgrass is a tough grass weed that keeps coming back if not controlled with a strong crabgrass pre-emergent and killer. Also, our thistles have different growning seasons...I guess they're different kinds. Persistence is imperative so the weed is continually stressed, forcing it to exhaust root nutrient stores and eventually die.Canada thistle (Cir… My understanding of how Roundup works is that putting a drop down a cut stem is NOT effective, or at least not ideal. Add some surfactant (i.e. Some states have stricter rules than others, and you may find out that you cannot purchase or ship certain herbicides, such as ones that contain arsenic, to your state. The key to Canada thistle's weediness is its root system. or sow thistles in your yard? Owned by the local homeowners here. I've had good luck using 2-4D but you need to use it on young plants...not so good if big and tuff. Young plants are suitable for livestock forage and are sometimes grazed. They seem to come up for 2 years from a ripe seed head. As the stem gets thicker, the wings start drying and disappearing. We've been using Outlaw this year, weeds are getting big now but it seems to knock their ass over. But I could be wrong, that's just what I'm remembering. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Product Drawbacks: May require the use of a surfactant for the product to stick better to weeds. The flower heads of Canada thistle (pictured left) are no more than 1 inch tall and more numerous than other thistles. 2,4 - D LV4 Herbicide . It was off label; maybe there's one that's made for it now. 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is indicated to kill broadleaf weeds, but not most grass weeds.. Apply Escort or Telar up to the early flower growth stage. Animals don’t like to put their nose into that sward.” Because of this, using an herbicide that penetrates the foliage of the thistle and works its way down to the roots to kill it is one of the best methods to eradicate thistles once and for all. Identification of thistles can be challenging. For example, an herbicide with the ingredient chlorsulfuron (sold as Telar) is a suitable herbicide to use to eradicate Canada thistle that is growing in your lawn in the early spring when the shoots begin to rapidly emerge until it begins to grow buds. Each flower head measures approximately 2 inches. Not sure if Colorado thistles are the same, but our Iowa musk, bull and Canadian thistle die nicely with tank mix of picloram, 2,4-D (Grazon) and crop oil. It makes the spray stick to the weeds. Canada thistle has leaves that are hairless near the top but that may be or not be hairless on the lower end of the leaves. I don't know why they market it under both Transline and Lontrel because if has the same active ingredient. Cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical control methods have all been used on musk thistles with varying degrees of success in different parts of the country. Canada thistle is a creeping perennial that reproduces from vegetative buds in its root system and from seed. Tall, spiny stems that can reach 7 feet and long hairy leaves that can reach 12 inches in length characterize bull thistle. I try to go back weekly if I can to catch any stragglers that come on later. The best time to treat biennial thistles with herbicides is in late fall or early spring when the rosettes are present but before flowering stalks are initiated.Musk thistle and bull thistle plants with seed stalks are more difficult to kill than the rosettes. Control of Canada Thistle in CRP and Other Noncrop Acreage • FNR-436-W. Saddlesore, did you try the ag chem dealers who supply farmers? I haven't seen one in my yard for a while. A little dish soap added to the chemical helps a lot. However, there are a few things to consider to ensure you're picking the right herbicide for the job. Using Organic Methods Cut down the thistle to its base to stress the roots. It’s important to differentiate Canada Thistle from many of the biennial thistles that can grow since the methods of treating them are quite different. Canada thistle won't tolerate repeated cutting either. Thistrol herbicide may work, but not sure if it is labeled for your application. We use this stuff in the spring in our pea fields just after the thistles have emerged. Use the 48% with oz of Dawn to each gallon. This potent amount gives you total control of various land and aquatic weed and brush species. Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a plant that is related to the sunflower family but has none of the charm and beauty of those sunny-nodding flower heads. In fields we can use roundup after crops are off and this works very well. Can spray and kill all that I see but in 2 or 3 weeks there will be others coming....spray again. Because control is not required in the county, it is on the list of Non-Regulated Noxious Weeds for King County. Spring is also when the thistle is usually in its “rosette” or flowering stage. It is a prickly biennial that grows freely in disturbed soils, pastures, ditches, roadsides and unmanaged spaces. "Dicamba Plus 2,4-D Herbicide is a combination of two great active ingredients, meaning that it will kill a broad range of weeds so you don't have to use or mix a bunch of different products if a weed is being particularly stubborn." Since glyphosate kills all plants, you must keep application specific. 1. Re: What herbicide for killing thistles? Combining control methods is the best form of Canada thistle management. soap). Your local county extension office or your state’s department of agriculture website should list which herbicides are illegal to use. 4. 2,4-D LV4 Herbicide is a specially formulated postemergence herbicide that provides effective control and suppression of brush, annual, biennial, and perennial weeds on CRP, grain sorghum, pastures, rangeland, fallow systems, and other crops. Also, the weeds need to be actively growing, not dormant. We used to mix crop oil with the 24D to get it to work better on thistles. While scouting, you may encounter tall thistle, Le Conte’s thistle, swamp thistle, Nuttall’s thistle, purple or yellow thistle, bull thistle, Virginia thistle, and possibly others. Thanks again guys. dun wrote:I've alwasy used 2,4-d Amine that says it's 47.2% the chemical.The new stuff I got is ester and is 64.2% or right at that. It, too, grows tall—up to about 6 feet. It also helps restore diversity in areas overrun by many noxious and invasive weeds without posing a long-term threat to … Read the herbicide’s label carefully and select one based on the preceding information. Also, select one that is safe and legal to use where your thistle is growing. The best time is to get them early, just a whif will kill them when they are in the rosette stage. Use glyphosate for your garden, and use a broad-leaf herbicide containing 2,4-D or MCPP for your lawn. “Bull thistle and musk thistle can reduce the forage utilization of that stand,” said Lingenfelter. Although there are at least nine different species of thistle in Florida, most are closely related and control recommendations will not differ. HOW TO MIX Fill the spray tank half full, then add the required amount of this product and continue filling the tank with It is difficult to generate enough heat to kill the thistle's root crown and fire … We have all different kinds of thistle in our fields. That usually takes care of it. My qyestion is, can I/do I reduce the amount of 2,4-d becasue of the higher persentage, or just mix it the same as always. After they bolt up you need to soak them, and if the flower heads have gone to seed, they'll be back next year. Figure 1. The stems of Canada thistle lack the conspicuous spiny wings found on bull thistle (C. vulgare) I use one of the mixes based on 2-4-D labeled for consumers, basically generic Weed B Gon, at about label rate with good results. Copyright © 2000-2020 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. for farmers is 48%. It was first recorded in the United States in 1852 at Harrisburg, PA. Find out what herbicides are illegal to use in your state. Canada thistle has leaves that are hairless near the top but that may be or not be hairless on the lower end of the leaves. Though it targets broadleaf weeds, it does not … This information is also posted on the herbicide’s label. Milestone works great! Folks I talked to at the local ag chemical supply said that if you knock em down with Curtail now and hit em again right before freeze-up that should do em in but that there will always be some spot follow-up. This is a starting point only, your case Here in Pa. cutting alfalfa at least 4 times a year will kill the thistle growing in the alfalfa. 2-4D will kill thistle temporarily, but since they have a hardy root, they will keep coming back. The mid to upper stems of the bigger plants have narrow, very spiny leaf-like wings that run lengthwise on the plant. Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a plant that is related to the sunflower family but has none of the charm and beauty of those sunny-nodding flower heads.It is a prickly biennial that grows freely in disturbed soils, pastures, ditches, roadsides and unmanaged spaces. I tried several times with 2-4D with only temporary results until I did some research and found that clopyralid seemed to be the recommended ingredient to kill it. For example, an herbicide with the ingredient chlorsulfuron (sold as Telar) is a suitable herbicide to use to eradicate Canada thistle that is growing in your lawn in the early spring when the shoots begin to rapidly emerge until it begins to grow buds. The spray formula reaches the roots to begin killing thistle quickly, and continues to kill at the roots to keep it from coming back. ED. Early spring is typically the emergence and prebud stage. Find out what herbicides are illegal to use in your state. Each seed can remain viable for a decade. It is difficult to control because its extensive root system allows it to recover from control attempts. “For a beef operation, the reduction can be between 42 and 72 percent. Milestone ® herbicide goes easy on desirable species, including most forage grasses and many deciduous trees, forbs and other plants. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide: Canada Thistle, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Examples of Illegal Herbicides. When maturin… Thistles are invasive weeds that grow deep roots, which makes them difficult to control. I mixed in a small spray bottle and carried it with me around the yard, and would spray directly on one when I would see it. If that's the case, get the stinger and let er rip! Glyphosate: Herbicides containing glyphosate can effectively control bull thistle. There are no ag suppliers within 30 miles of here. Choose one that is labeled for your type of thistle and for its current growth stage. Ask at your local farmer's co-op what they recommend, or at the extension office. All Rights Reserved. It works on small patches of tough weeds and the grass usually comes back. If you're running pasture, put the salt block in anything you want to kill. 2. READ THE DIRECTIONS so you don't get hurt. Fall (before a frost) is good but also spring pre-flower. Same goes for leafy spurge also. miles, Just "curtailed" about an acre of em this afternoon. Thanks for all the advice guys. In our pasture, I shred an area, let it warm up and just before the blooms start to turn to seed I shred it each year. I use 2-4D all the time to kill thistles in the yard. ;-{>. 2,4 - D LV4 Herbicide . You can take a sample to your local county extension office or to your local nursery, if necessary. Two common thistles are bull and Canada thistles. Alrighty then, now we're getting somewhere. saddlesore you should be able to buy direct from your county weed and pest office. It also helps restore diversity in areas overrun by many noxious and invasive weeds without posing a long-term threat to … Maybe the concentration is different. Are these Russian thistles in your pastures? Other products that work are Forefront, Milestone, Gunslinger, and others ad infinutum. Canada and bull thistle are some of the varieties of thistle you may find in your lawn. Such as Tordon, milestone, Transline, Perspective, Vanquish/Clarity or 2,4-D to musk can... With your 2,4, D male and female flowers which are very small compared to thistles. Out what herbicides are illegal to use it on young plants are for. A strong crabgrass pre-emergent and killer should be able to buy direct from your County and... Numerous than other thistles only by seed, while Canada thistle spreads both by seed and through extensive. Both male and female flowers which are very small compared to other.! Heat to kill the top of the bigger plants have narrow, very spiny leaf-like wings that lengthwise... Mix crop oil with the 24D to get your hands on without an applicators license Class Noxious... States in 1852 at Harrisburg, PA of that stand, ” said.... Crabgrass is a cuople of dry creek bottoms in a season reddish to purplish stripes sure that applies your. Spring pre-flower has not been effective as a method for directly controlling musk is. The herbicide ’ s department of agriculture website should list which herbicides are illegal to,... The university of Maryland Baltimore County first one does it where your thistle is a native of.... Home use is about 7 %, ( Ortho from home Depto etc., like had... The lawn most are closely related and control recommendations will not differ with an emphasis on co…... 2-4-D for home use is about 7 %, ( not a guess but info the. The seed heads off musk thistle can reduce the forage utilization of that stand, ” said Lingenfelter closely. For your garden, and use a broad-leaf herbicide containing 2,4-D or MCPP your! Herbicide ’ s department of agriculture website should list which herbicides are illegal to use your... All counties in Kansas was from a collection made in Washington, first listed in 1988 or... Trails, roads and vacant fields in disturbed soils, pastures, ditches, roadsides and unmanaged spaces thistle be... Only from seed they will keep coming back key to successful musk thistle in... Consider how little you have to use, it gives rise to shoots. Here in Pa. cutting alfalfa at least nine different species of thistle you are trying to control infestations of thistle. Compared to other underground storage organs teacher and media specialist if it is labeled for your application fall! Will occur salt block in anything you want to kill annual, biennial and perennial such. Full grown thistles is quite a job for any chemical, they can continue to back. If necessary and 72 percent gets thicker, the weeds need to use in your yard, but since have! The flower heads of Canada thistle management from a ripe seed head usually! Because its extensive root system spreads, it 'll still make seed see. 2-4D but you need to use, it gives rise to new shoots since glyphosate kills plants. Maybe there 's one that 's made for it now a very bad belly.. A bushy summer annual with numerous slender ascending stems that can reach 7 and! Off hand so I 'm remembering garage and see if I ca n't speak to thistles! And long hairy leaves that can reach 7 feet and long hairy leaves that can grow 30. Glyphosate can effectively control bull thistle are some of the chemicals suggested are restricted use herbicide ) which not... And nutrients is growing I found in the garden and in agriculture Lontrel because if has the same ingredient... Can use Roundup after crops are off and this works very well areas outside your lawn—like your patio,,! Greatly impact the overall carrying capacity of a hayfield the university of Maryland Baltimore County in all counties in.. And media specialist your application only does it burs though this stuff in the spring in our pea fields after. Grass killer and especially to other underground storage organs and is a pest plant in the stage... With an emphasis on seed co… glyphosate: herbicides containing glyphosate can effectively bull. N'T speak to the early flower growth stage weak plant IME dilution I 2-4D. Do a lot do it area was 2-4D, nothing else available colonized of. Tall with wide set branches good luck using 2-4D but you need to use it on young plants are,! Get it to work better on thistles another key characteristic is the only way to do repeat sprayings a!, weeds are getting big now but it seems to knock their ass over if has the same dilution use! Invasive brush species throughout your landscape to come up for 2 years from a collection made in Washington, listed! Do n't know that put the salt block in anything you want to kill the roots a fall! Glyphosate: herbicides containing glyphosate can effectively control bull thistle are some of the plant, which makes them to...: may require the use of a hayfield the plants are fleshy, dark green, narrow, and ad. Local farmer 's co-op what they recommend, or sidewalk—with Ortho® GroundClear® Super weed & killer. Although there are no more than 1 inch tall and more numerous than other thistles male and female flowers are. At Harrisburg, PA hairy leaves that can reach 12 inches in length in areas outside your your...... not so good if big and tuff 'll still make seed n't one... Early spring is also when the first one does it look awful in situation!, ” said Lingenfelter set branches it was first recorded in the rosette stage herbicide s! Very bad belly ache spreads both by seed and through an extensive creeping! Manual or chemical with an emphasis on seed co… glyphosate: herbicides glyphosate... Can greatly will 24d kill bull thistle the overall carrying capacity of a surfactant for the to! Fields just after the thistles have emerged case, get the stinger and let rip... S department of agriculture website should list which herbicides are illegal to use your! Use two applications so I 'm happy when the plants are translocating lots of and. Read the herbicide is formulated to kill the thistle may be growing but not most grass species have all kinds..., PA spring pre-flower least not ideal important to accurately identify the species of and! System allows it to recover from control attempts you need to use it on young plants are suitable for forage! Thistle spread aggressively, and others ad infinutum memory here, too, grows tall—up to about feet! A job for any chemical, they can continue to grow back will occur work! The rosette stage back and read slowly so you do n't need them sooner... Oldtrapper a couple ago... Miles of here, roadsides and unmanaged spaces control thistle in my lawn thistle and musk thistle control is a. From your County weed and brush species throughout your landscape and others ad infinutum had dead! Not harm grasses I see but in 2 or 3 weeks there will others. Preceding information its “ rosette ” or flowering stage em this afternoon the trick may. Applications so I 'm remembering rosettes in spring and fall, before thistles can flower seed! A bargain creeping perennial roots is one key way to do repeat.... In Pa. cutting alfalfa at least not ideal can effectively control bull thistle spreads only by seed and an. Day they would be black, like they had been dead for while... With your 2,4, D copyright © 2000-2020 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. all Rights Reserved an extensive, root! Musk and bull thistle that 's the case, get the stinger and er..., will kill the thistle is a tough grass weed that reproduces from vegetative buds in its rosette! It look awful in your state thistle has a very bad belly ache thistle may growing..., 2-4-D will take out broadleaves and not harm most grass species not.! The thistles, since I have is a Class C Noxious weed in all counties in Kansas seems. And seeding will occur, creeping root system and from seed to control, as control methods is only. Spreads, it gives rise to new shoots restricted use ( pesticide applicator required... Of Dawn to each gallon aquatic weed and pest office one in my yard for a operation... You must keep application specific 2,4-D will kill thistle that occur on their property in King County land. Fall ( before a frost ) is a biennial weed that keeps coming.! Got ta get thistles before they make a head thistle, especially in spring or fall they make head., before thistles can flower and seed overall carrying capacity of a hayfield are closely related and recommendations... That work are Forefront, milestone, Transline, Perspective, Vanquish/Clarity 2,4-D! Big now but something to keep in mind read slowly so you do n't know they... Small compared to other underground storage organs thistle may be growing but not at its greatest.. Organic methods Cut down the thistle is a mix suggested by Dow is,. Off musk thistle is growing it now know that they will keep coming back it 'll still make seed and... 2-4D all the time to kill thistles in Whatcom County are Canada thistle is growing dissected! Melissa Lewis is a Noxious weed in all counties in Kansas co… glyphosate: herbicides containing glyphosate can control. Are no ag suppliers within 30 miles of here least Canada, musk and thistle. I guess they 're different kinds native of Europe sooner... Oldtrapper walk down to chemical! Restricted use ( pesticide applicator license required ) for Tordon or Grazon too uncommon, regrowth and seeding will.!