Canada thistle - Ask Extension
My next door neighbor (in a residential neighborhood) has a large crop of Canada thistle in their front, side, and back yards that are 3-5 feet tall a...
Knowledgebase
Canada thistle #875666
Asked July 02, 2024, 1:24 PM EDT
My next door neighbor (in a residential neighborhood) has a large crop of Canada thistle in their front, side, and back yards that are 3-5 feet tall and in full bloom. I have spoken to them three times about cutting them down and even provided them with U of M Extension handouts about the thistle. They tell me that they have a different perspective and don't see the thistles as weeds. I have also emailed the person in charge of Goodhue County noxious weeds but have received no response.
Thistles have spread into my yard and gardens already, but I would like to prevent all of the neighbors' plants from spreading their prolific seeds both my way and around the neighborhood. What else can I do to get them to control their thistles?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Goodhue County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Nancy,
I sure wish I cold help you. Your city should have an inspector or some person that could come out and "tag" or sight them. Try contacting your local Ag. Extension;
https://extension.umn.edu/local/goodhue
It's a very frustrating problem .
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/herbaceous/canadathistle.html
I'm sorry I can't do anything about it,
Sally Grantath
St. Louis County MG
Thanks for the response. I've already contacted the county (being as I live just out of town) but have gotten no response.
Nancy
Try the following person:
Mary Nesberg, Extension educator, Agriculture & Horticulture
<personal data hidden> or <personal data hidden>
The problem may be that the local Olmsted County agricultural enforcement position is currently vacant.
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/weedcontrol/cailist
Some counties do have their own lists of prohibited noxious weeds. I was not able to find one for Olmsted County.
Because Canadian Thistle is on the state prohibited noxious weed control list and it is spreading to your property, you should get a response eventually. It may take several phone calls.
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/minnesota-noxious-weed-list
Mary Nesberg, Extension educator, Agriculture & Horticulture
<personal data hidden> or <personal data hidden>
The problem may be that the local Olmsted County agricultural enforcement position is currently vacant.
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/weedcontrol/cailist
Some counties do have their own lists of prohibited noxious weeds. I was not able to find one for Olmsted County.
Because Canadian Thistle is on the state prohibited noxious weed control list and it is spreading to your property, you should get a response eventually. It may take several phone calls.
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/minnesota-noxious-weed-list
