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Thistles in wildflower bed

(8 Posts)
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Luckygirl3 Sun 20-Apr-25 18:57:04

I have read that these can be eradicated by cutting to the ground then spraying the cut base with vinegar. Has anyone ever tried this?

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BlueBelle Sun 20-Apr-25 19:49:53

Thistles are wildflowers to don’t they attract bees ?

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Luckygirl3 Sun 20-Apr-25 20:54:28

They are, but unfortunately they totally overwhelm all the other wild flowers and variety is best both visually and for wild life.

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25Avalon Sun 20-Apr-25 21:34:25

Leave any root in and the thistles will grow back as I know. I’m not sure vinegar will kill the roots off completely but worth a try. Salt is also supposed to be good.

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Jaxjacky Sun 20-Apr-25 22:06:11

Digging them out is the only guaranteed way get rid, vinegar damages the soil and organisms

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David49 Mon 21-Apr-25 07:39:33

You could treat spot treat them with lawn weed killer, thistles are easy to see even when small avoid chemical drift it will affect the flowers.

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Redhead56 Mon 21-Apr-25 11:12:57

Gold finches are highly attracted to Thistles they like the Niger seeds produced when the flowers die. I grow them to the attract wildlife as they provide nectar for insects and the seeds for birds.

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Churchview Mon 21-Apr-25 11:25:56

I allow them and teasels to grow as they attract the wildlife so brilliantly.

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