Problem: Russian Thistle found and spreading.

[beowulf]

Thirty two years here and we rarely saw any Russian thistle on our 90 acres - I mean almost never- and when we would find a plant we would immediately take it out. Well, it appears we have not been so diligent recently as now have a real invasion. I think this all took off a year ago when we had about 40 inches of rain when we typically only get about 14-16. This year we got just over 20.

Anyway, it seems to be spreading rapidly and in pockets all over. We live in a rolling hills/wooded area so I cannot take out much with my tractor. So, I assume a major spraying job is in order. And it will be major and likely will need to be done every year for a long time. This is really a daunting task to take on over 90 wooded acres, so I am asking for suggestions. I don't know if there will be any other ideas except to spray and dig it out but I am hoping.

 

[bcp]

Maybe your county ag agent will have some good local ideas.

Russian Thistle Management Guidelines--UC IPM

Bruce

 

[oosik]

Bruce has a good idea. And try a local college or university that has a agricultural program. In our area - I go to Washington State University. They have an awesome agricultural program and provide assistance on related issues.

 

[beowulf]

Thanks guys, good idea, and I will follow up on that.

 

[oosik]

For those who need to know - when a Russian Thistle dies and dries out it becomes a Tumble Weed.

 

[beowulf]

Update: I was told by a local that the weed I was dealing with was Russian Thistle. But when I researched ways to get rid of it and came across pictures of different similar thistle-like plants, it appears as if what I have is milk thistle. No less a problem as spreads like crazy apparently and not a lot of fun to deal with, but learning a lot about how it spreads, when to attack it and more.

 

[goeduck]

For those who need to know - when a Russian Thistle dies and dries out it becomes a Tumble Weed.

As in the tumble weeds that blow all over eastern Washington?

 

[ruffdog]

Our "new" weed in the area is the Pokeweed and it is a tough one to get rid of.

Pokeweed, American (Phytolacca americana): The Jekyll and Hyde Plant | Nadia's Backyard

 

[oosik]

geoduck - ha, yes. Nothing like cycling down our country roads - particularly down south in the Palouse - round the corner and there is a four foot high - moving wall of tumble weed crossing the road. If I'm in my TJ Jeep - I'll slow down and bust thru it. On the motorcycle - not so much.

Beowulf - I've got a weed here called Milk Weed. But its NOTHING like Russian Thistle. Local deer simply LOVE the seed pods on Milk weed. In the fall they will strip any and all Milk Weed plants of all their seed pods. I have NO problems keeping Milk weed under control.

Fortunately - I've got no Russian thistle here either.

 

[MossRoad]

Milk thistle is not milk weed. Two different plants.

I have milk thistle on my property, but never in the woods. It only appears in more open areas around here.