Thistle problem

[jubilado]

My first year on the allotment and worked hard to remove weeds and prepare the soil. I'm now battling thistle (I think its thistle - flat, spiky leaves). I've been digging them out but they just return. Should I spray them individually with roundup? My concern is that they are growing in onion and potato beds. Digging them disturbs the crop but will the roundup also affect the crop? Advice please.

[Jungle Jane]

I don't think round up would help,weeds will still appear plus when it rains the chemicals will invade your land. You could pull out the weeds carefully & put a layer of grass cuttings/mulch to stop them.

[snakeshack]

keep hoeing off/removing top growth and mulching will kill them eventually.
if you want to use glyphosate try one of the gel sticks that you apply to the leaves to prevent damage to your crops

[Guest]

For thistles I use a twisty grubber type tool. There will still be disturbance but not as bad as digging or forking them out. Similar thing to Kingfisher Long Handled Garden Cultivator Weeding Twist Hand Tool | eBay

[roitelet]

There are two types of thistle. One produces one plant and the other is a creeping thistle which spreads on runners like raspberries.Keep digging/pulling out the plants not only in the beds but in the ground around them and eventually you will get on top of them. Look for long white roots and get them out.