02/04/2025
“Canadian Thistle; Love the Unloveable”💜
24x36 Oil Original -Gallery wrapped Canvas - SOLD
My inspiration stems from painting plants we knowingly or unknowingly were taught in the collective to dislike. Often Canadian thistle is sprayed out to eliminate or control its growth.
Here are a few different thoughts to consider as spring approaches and you meet this unlikely friend on your land??
• Canada thistle is an important nectar plant for bees and butterflies, and goldfinches eat the seeds
• Deep roots help pull moisture to surface for other plants. Contribute to shade and surface coverage to cool surface temp.
• It’s the equivalent of alfalfa in nutritional value without the bloat issues.
•A tea made from the roots treats diarrhea and a diuretic tea from the leaves is sometimes used to treat tuberculosis.
Externally can be used to relieve some rashes and skin irritations.
💜A good source to look at is “Cows Eat Weeds” by Kathy Voth. Kathy covers the science behind the training process and the challenges and solutions to them from my ten years of training livestock across the U.S. and Canada.
-we personally have tried this with our cattle and it works. It’s a great tool to naturally control large spreads of thistle.
Don’t have animals to graze; no problem. Many tools you can also implement to avoid spraying in your environment. Do some research; it’s fun 🤩
