[JoanneB]

Hi folks, I didn't top my field last year and the thistles are extraordinary this year as a result. I'm just about to top it but I can't get to the bottom of whether I should remove the tops from the field, or let them lie. It's just under an acre and there are 3 sheep on it. Will leaving the tops on the field stop them from spreading? Are three sheep enough to eat the tops all up? They are almost in flower. I'll let the insects get the flowers then go for it, I think. I have a blade attachment for my petrol strimmer so planning to use that. Any advice much appreciated. X

[Fleecewife]

My concern with letting thistle tops lie in the field is that the seed heads go on developing after the plant is chopped down.  This means that you will have seeds floating about to all corners of your land.  We burn ours.

[Foobar]

As its not a large area, pull them out by hand. I know it sounds tedious but it will rid them better than topping. You will hav e far fewer next year as a result.

[JulieWall]

I've hand pulled thistles in the past (very hard on your back) but if they have gone to seed it will still spread the seeds. I strim them down now using the brushcutter blade and catch them just as they are starting to get seed heads but before the seed heads develop properly. Just occasionally one of the sheep will turn out to be a thistle head eater..... I reckon if we can breed a line of thistle eating sheep we'll make our fortune!

[lachlanandmarcus]

My sheep don't eat them but my big horse loves the tops when in flower, prickles and all 

[henchard]

Good advice (Please note it is a pdf)


http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/sites/default/files/grassland_-_weed_control_0.pdf

[SallyintNorth]

Good advice (Please note it is a pdf)


http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/sites/default/files/grassland_-_weed_control_0.pdf

Some interesting stuff in there.

However,

thistles are not generally a
problem on damp grassland

Maybe that's true in Suffolk.  Perhaps we have especially mutated water-tolerant thistles up here in wild wet Cumbria and Northumberland. 

[shygirl]

i think its down to timing, cut the heads before the seed heads are viable.

[melholly]

We strim before seed heads develop and generally just have a couple of patches over 5 acres. Our neighbour leaves everything and as a result is entirely overrun by that - and ragwort for that matter. Latter at the mo being over run by the Cinnabar moth caterpillars who do a good job of digesting the plant.


Mx

[Steph Hen]

Roundup the thistles individually? Its quick.

I know its nice to leave the flowers for the insects, but I'd get at them ASAP - its sod's law and you'll be flat out doing something unexpected and not be able to cut them in the window before the seed heads start to develop.