How Do You Use Hay To Smother Thistle Growth?
Thistle is a creeping perennial, meaning its complex root system spreads and sprouts new plants quite frequently, and it is quite hardy during winter temperatures. For these reasons, thistle can be difficult to remove from your yard or acreage. Persistence is necessary when it comes to thistle management. The extensive root system allows for several regrowth opportunities, regardless of the destruction method. Smother cropping has been successful in several studies with thistle growth. Smother cropping means growing a different crop where thistle is growing to smother out thistle growth while creating a farmable crop. Use a controlled burn to remove thistles from the above-ground area. This will not eliminate thistle seed, and thistle will respond to the burn by re-growing in the fertile ashen soil. You must have a burn permit in order to do this, and the local fire department must be notified. They may require fire department personnel to be present for the burn. Once the thistle has
