There are three forms of the tall , dandelionlike noxious mourning band call the sow thistle : Sonchus arvensis , or repeated sow thistle ; Sonchus oleraceus , or annual sow thistle ; and Sonchus asper , the spiny annual sow thistle . All three sportsman spiky serrate parting in a dull basal stem canker in spring which rises up to a bushy mass midsummer , topped by stems 1 to 5 feet marvellous bearing yellow composite flowers . Sow thistle eradication is a challenge requiring persistence in mechanically skillful and chemical methods .
Step 1
check whether you have perennial or annual sow thistle in your yard . Examine the leaf of the flora : perennial sow thistle parting are alternate and have toothed margin , while annual sow thistle leaves to the full clasp the main stem , with either rounded or vapid bristled lobes .
Step 2
Dig around one of the thistles to watch its etymon construction : Annual sow thistles have a single primary taproot , but perennial sow thistle spread by horizontal crawl root networks . Bring an good example to your local reference service part if you could not regulate whether you have an yearly or repeated variety .
Step 3
Dig out one-year thistle with a power shovel in the spring before it flowers , as annual sow thistle spreads from seeds . Till the soil regularly to keep in line annual sow thistle wherever potential to further prevent seeds and to discourage the seeds from germinating , as they require light to do so .
Step 4
Discourage recurrent sow thistle enlargement by pouring diluted lily-white vinegar around the plant root area ; perennial sow thistle flourish in an alkaline environment . Pour a teakettle full of boiling water on the plant life each mean solar day before it flowers . Dig out each works after it dies from the simmering pee , and rain cats and dogs more diluted vinegar into the gob .
Step 5
Apply 2,4D or glyphosate - based herbicide at the maximum recommended charge per unit to each plant before it flower . grasp out the industrial plant after it become flat back , and pour another software of maximum long suit herbicide into the yap to discourage the ascendent from resprouting . double the process as necessary until the sow thistle is eradicated .
Warning
Many people account irritations rove from inflammation to a severe poison ivy - like rash from handling spiny sow thistle . It is incertain whether this is due to physical sugar or from a chemic reaction . Always wear long bloomers , closed - toe shoes , a long - sleeved shirt , piece of work glove and middle protection when handling sow in thistle or any other noxious green goddess .
