Naturally Banish Prickly Thistle Weeds So You Can Enjoy Your Lawn Worry-Free

When it comes to common weeds, few are as problematic as Canada thistle. This plant has a tenacious and fast-growing root system. A single seed is all it takes for an entire patch to spring up and spread. Plus, it's prickly to the touch, so it's an invasive weed you'll want to get rid of especially if you have children and pets. Thankfully, you can eradicate thistle weeds with a simple but effective natural remedy and enjoy your lawn without worry this summer.

A basic vinegar solution will banish your thistle weed problem without harsh herbicides. This household ingredient will kill prickly weeds in your yard and keep them away for good. Not only is it non-toxic, but it is also proven to be successful at eradicating Canada thistle. This natural treatment, combined with other chemical-free methods, will help you finally eliminate this stubborn noxious weed from your lawn.

You don't need to douse your lawn in chemicals to eliminate pesky thistle weeds. This environmentally friendly and safe solution involves a common staple that you already have at home: vinegar. The acidity of vinegar makes it a potent weed killer that is effective against several different types of weeds, including thistle. A study by the U.S. Agricultural Research Service found that household vinegar killed 100% of thistle top growth, which was the highest rate of any weed tested in the study. The vinegar used for the study was 5% acetic acid, but a concentration of 20% could destroy these weeds in just two hours.

To apply this solution to your lawn, fill a spray bottle with undiluted vinegar. If using higher concentrations, it's important to wear gloves, goggles, and long clothing due to the corrosive effect. Cut the plant down to the base, with a piece of the stem remaining. Spray the stem with vinegar once or twice, repeating the process weekly to eradicate the weeds. Avoid spraying the soil directly. Note that it may take multiple seasons of continuous treatment to remove thistle completely from your lawn. To speed up the process, sprinkle a tiny amount of salt along the base of the plant to dry out the soil. With this approach, the weeds will quickly break down, making them easy to remove.

Once a thistle problem has taken root, it can be difficult to manage. Thankfully, there are several natural measures that actually work, in addition to vinegar. Mowing is effective at preventing regrowth if done early in the season when the plants are in the early budding stage. If the thistle has grown considerably, be sure to mow off the top of the plant or remove the top by hand (with gloves, of course). Once the stems are exposed, apply your vinegar solution. The key is to wear down the root system as much as possible so these plants become too depleted to spring up again.

Another way to weaken the root system is by using a hand tiller. With both mowing and tilling, it's important to be consistent. Tilling should be done at least every three weeks to stay on top of regrowth. If not done consistently, your thistle problem may get worse as this weed can regrow from tiny leftover roots. The same principle applies to hand-pulling. When removing thistle by hand, remove the whole root with a handheld weed puller. Wear thick gloves to protect yourself from the sharp prickles and apply mulch over the area once the weeds are removed. As long as you don't give up the fight, you can banish thistles for good and restore your lawn to pristine, prickle-free condition.