I read on here a few months ago that the time to spray for thistles is September. Thistles in south central Texas were horrible last year so if you had the same issues as I did, I think the time is now to get out there and spray for them.

Does anybody have any advice on when/how/what to spray to prevent thistles in the spring? I know it takes 3-5 years to get rid of them completely.

Thanks in advance Ags.

[This message has been edited by 909Ag2006 (edited 9/16/2012 12:28p).]

Yard? Pasture? How much area?

What kind of thistle? There are a bunch.

Chaparral from Dow is the best for thistles. Make absolutely sure you read the label before you use it, this is a powerful herbicide and will wipe out anything it's targeted for. 2oz/ac is suitable for pastures, and use at least 15gal/ac of water when spraying.

I have a crap ton of giant ragweed. Maybe we can trade!?

I can see how thistles are bad. I have those tall ones with purple flowers. Last year I had about 6 plants. This year, I have about 5 acres of it. The butterflies love it though so I've kind of left it. I don't have crops impacted though. Good luck dude.

I was planning on spraying for broadleaf and bull nettle in the spring. I have croton out the scrotum, and bull nettle too. 50 acres I need to deal with total. Doves seem to hang out in the croton but it has to go. My Dow book recommends spring. What say you veterans? I see locals out in their fields with hoes pulling out the bull nettle. I don't have enough back to get it all.

Sorry, it's a pasture, and they're the type with the purple tops. I think they might be Canada thistle but I'm not sure.

Small purple flowers are usually Canada Thistle, large flowers Musk Thistle.

The musk are moving aggressively into the panhandle, pretty nasty things.

Some plant ID on the 2nd page of this:

http://tahoeinvasiveweeds.org/resources/pdf/brochure_thistles.pdf

Thanks CanyonAg. Hell, it may be both Musk and Canada thistle growing out there? Have you heard or read anything about pre-treating them in the fall? They're nasty suckers, and where they come in, they come in thick.