Thistle is one of the most unwanted species that can grow in most of the climate conditions in the USA. It is a very annoying weed in lawn with perennial nature that grow and expand more as much time it gets in the lawn.
With time, it becomes more difficult to manage and remove thistle weed.
Let's understand various aspects of thistle weed and methods to remove it from the lawn.
Thistle weed in lawn
Although there is very less similar-looking weed like thistle still, you should aware of its looks and behavior on the lawn.
Thistle weeds are poisonous to humans as one can suffer vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
What is thistle weed?
Thistle weed has big bushy leaves containing a needle on the tip and grows horizontally except for its flowers. Mostly, pink flowers appear on thistle weed but according to the variety in species, these flowers can be slightly different in color and looks.
Mainly, we see two general varieties of thistle weed; dwarf thistle and creeping thistle.
Identification of thistle weed
- Color- Green leaves, pink and purple flowers
- Shape- Bushy shape, grows too close to the ground
- Scientific name- Cirsium arvense
- Nature- Invasive weed, perennial
- Leaves- Pointy leaves shape like spinach
Requirements to remove thistle weed from lawn
Well, if you have the task of removing thistle weed in the early stages, you don't need too much stuff to remove them. But once they grow for longer periods, you need some arrangements and tools for thistle weed removal-
Weed picking tool
Pick the thistle weed directly from the roots. It also helps to clean other weeds with non-rhizomes.
If you don't have one, you can use a kitchen fork but it will not help with bigger weeds.
Safety hand gloves
These safety gloves will save your hands while cleaning the thistle weeds. Because of sharp ends of thistle weed leaves, it can hurt your hands. So it is important to wear safety hand gloves.
PPE kit(if using weed killers)
A basic PPE kit includes a face mask, glasses, head cover, long boots, etc. Generally, it is not necessary to wear a PPE kit but while using such weed killers, you need to wear it at least to cover your head, eyes, hands, and face.
Weed removing herbicides
Any authentic market organic weed-removing herbicide is helpful to remove thistle weeds. Scott's weed removal is an example of it.
These methods are also effective in removing other weeds like johnson weed, lambsquarter, oxalic weed, etc.
Lawn scarification tools
Sometimes, we need lawn scarification to remove the initial thistle weeds. It also helps in the process of lawn grass care.
Thistle weed-removing methods
Thistle weed removal methods are not guaranteed that they will not appear again but they are effective to remove all the weeds cleanly. If you follow the proper steps of prevention, high chances are you will not see them again on your lawn. Following are some basic methods to remove thistle weed-
Picking up with tools or hands
These methods are helpful in any growth stage of weed. To remove thistle weed, take a long-handle weed removal tool if you are not comfortable with your hands.
Fix this tool in the roots and then pick them up with simple ease. To make it more comfortable, you can wet the soil first and then it will become easier to pick them up even with the strong roots.
If you can use your hands, then it is not too intense work to clean weeds from the lawn.
Wear safety glubs, grab them with their stem, and then pick them up directly.
Using weed killers
Weed killers can remove the thistle weeds permanently if you use to choose the right weed killer and spray it precisely.
Using weed killers can damage the lawn grass too if you use it unnecessarily and carelessly. Use a spraying tool to spray the weed killers direct at the right spot.
If you are not precise with such sprayers then it will affect the lawn turf too.
Scarification
Scarification is not a direct solution to remove thistle weeds from lawns. It is helpful to clean thistle weed in the initial stages.
During this process, you can miss some of the weeds. So repeat the scarification process again. The simple purpose is to remove all the weeds with the thatch.
Prevention of thistle weed in lawn
Prevention of weeds is more effective than the general weed removal process. If you don't want thistle weed in your lawn then prepare your lawn for it. So following are some steps that you can follow to prevent thistle weeds in your lawn-
Aeration
Lawn aeration is a necessary process in every lawn just before the dormancy period and next spring. Sometimes it helps to recover grass even in summer.
Following aeration in your lawn is also helpful indirectly to avoid weeds and help to get a healthy lawn.
Scarification
Lawn scarification is necessary after dormancy and generally to remove the thatches and weeds sometimes. Scarification is effective to remove almost every kind of weed in its initial stages.
Regular mowing
Mowing a lawn regularly helps indirectly to hide the weeds. It restricts the weeds to a certain height and a limit.
Every lawn grass has a particular time period of mowing, you should keep it regularly according to grass type.
Lawn drainage
Without proper lawn drainage, a lawn can invite lawn moss, fungi, weeds, etc.
Overseeding
Overseeding is helpful to make lawns thicker and healthier. The right time to overseed a lawn is the spring season. Making the lawn thicker overtakes the weeds and then there will be fewer chances that you will have thistle weeds in the lawn as well.
Fertilization
Fertilization of lawns makes the process easier for lawn grass to grow. It encourages lawn grass and reduces the conditions for weeds. It is important to fertilize your lawn twice in a year or at least once.
Thus, the above methods will decrease the chances of thistle weed in the lawn if you follow the process carefully.