Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

Homemade Thistle Killer

...
thistle image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com

Thistles are flowering plants covered with sharp prickles. The prickles keep deer, rabbits and other animals from feasting on the plant. Though thistles can bloom colorful flowers, they are considered weeds. Most individuals do not want thistles growing on their property. They can be killed with home remedies verses store-bought chemical weed killers.

Pour lemon juice and vinegar into a blender.

Place the lid on the blender and blend the two ingredients.

  • Thistles are flowering plants covered with sharp prickles.
  • The prickles keep deer, rabbits and other animals from feasting on the plant.

Pour the contents of the blender into an empty spray bottle.

Spray the thistles with the homemade weed killer. The weed killer works because the main ingredient, vinegar, dissolves the cell membrane of the plant tissue. The lemon juice also has a high acid level, which aids the vinegar in breaking down the plant tissue. The thistle will then dry up and die.

Tip

You can also get rid of thistles by mowing over them just before they begin to flower. Mowing after they flower will spread the seeds, and cause more thistles to grow.

Warning

Vinegar stronger than 9 percent can be used to kill weeds, but it can irritate or burn your skin. It is best to stick with a 5 percent vinegar. The vinegar percentage will be listed on the label.

Related Articles

The Lowest Temperature of Marigold Plants
The Lowest Temperature of Marigold Plants
Milk Thistle Burdock Identification
Milk Thistle Burdock Identification
What Weed Killer Kills Buckthorn?
What Weed Killer Kills Buckthorn?
Are Chinese Palm Plants Poisonous to Cats?
Are Chinese Palm Plants Poisonous to Cats?
How Long Is the Oat Growing Season?
How Long Is the Oat Growing Season?
Allergies of the Daisy Family
Allergies of the Daisy Family
Types of Weeds & Weed Killers
Types of Weeds & Weed Killers
Are Hibiscus Plants Poisonous to People?
Are Hibiscus Plants Poisonous to People?
How to Harvest Milk Thistle
How to Harvest Milk Thistle
Do Geraniums Need Full Sun All Day?
Do Geraniums Need Full Sun All Day?
Florida Plants That Sting
Florida Plants That Sting
Where Can I Purchase Peters Plant Food?
Where Can I Purchase Peters Plant Food?
Are Dahlias Annual or Perennials?
Are Dahlias Annual or Perennials?
Examples of Herbicides
Examples of Herbicides
What Is the Meaning of the Thistle?
What Is the Meaning of the Thistle?
Garden Guides
×