Update 65 hours up to 19.9.20
Update 63 hours up to 21.8.20
Update on the below 57.25 hours up to 8.8.20
I have tried a slightly different tactic with the thistles this Summer. Instead of waiting for the first ones to start to flower, I have been pulling them when small as soon as they appear.
This has had the effect of needing more time, having done 44 hours to today's date, (43.5 last Summer) but there have been very few or no seeds being blown about the fields so far. Last year, as in previous years, it was impossible to deal with the numbers before seeding.
With luck this has "got the R down" and there will be very few new patches next Summer. Time will tell.
Of course if anyone sees purple seed heads on tall (spear and creeping) thistles, please do remove them. Pulled up thistle remains can be discarded as they will rot. Any help appreciated, but stout gloves required! Jimm
