We moved to Washington state from Missouri.
And Missouri had weeds. Let me be clear on that point.
Oh yes, Missouri had weeds.
I'm not trying to sound snooty in a "my-weeds-were-better-than-your-weeds" kind of way.
But really.
Thistles?
Ug! Enough!
At least the Missouri weeds didn't fight back!
A healthy crop of thistles.
Not the only one in my yard.
And not the first time this area has received vigorous weeding.
Sigh.
There's no such thing as bare-handed weeding any more.
I have to have gardening gloves on and for the thistles, leather gloves over my gardening gloves, if I don't want to end up with prickles in all my fingers.
Not to mention a shovel, for their super long roots.
Remember in the Bible, when Adam and Eve get kicked out of the Garden of Eden?
Adam is told that the ground will be cursed...with thorns and thistles. (Genesis 3:17-18)
Hah! Biblical proof that these are a curse!
Actually, I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse.
So what to do?
I haven't gone with Roundup yet, but I have to tell you, I'm perilously close.
As it is, I step on them every time I go by, in hopes of beating them down little by little.
They seem to thrive on such treatment.
I think maybe I need a goat.
I feel your pain. Have you tried undiluted white vinegar (the cheap stuff you buy in jugs in the supermarket)? It kills the leaves very nicely. Not the roots, as I understand it, but it is a little less chemical-y. My entire lawn is weeds, by the way. But it's green, so I let it be.
ReplyDeleteHa! I think we share the same philosophy on lawns. Once I had a Tru-Green rep come to my door and try to get me to sign up with his company. He left after I told him I just didn't care about my grass very much. :) Besides, the weeds stay green when most lawns look dead and brown. If only they were not so poky, I could probably make my peace with the thistles! I'll have to try vinegar.
DeleteI didn't realize you are living in Washington too. By the look of the weeds I'm guessing you're on the west side though. We live in Central Washington and have our share of nasty weeds...goathead being my least favorite.
ReplyDeleteHi Polly! Thanks for stopping by. I'm actually on the east side--south of Spokane. The weeds grow great! Everything else takes work. :)
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