Utah weeds · Summer annual · peak May – October
How to get rid of Russian Thistle in Utah
How to recognize Russian Thistle (tumbleweed)
- Seedlings with soft, thin, needle-like leaves and reddish stripes
- Round, bushy plants with sharp spines as they mature
- Plants that reach several feet across by late summer
- Dry skeletons that break off and roll in the wind
Why it thrives in Utah
Russian thistle sprouts in dry, disturbed soil, such as new-build yards, vacant lots and fence lines. As the plant dries, it snaps off at the base and tumbles, scattering seed as it goes, so one overlooked plant seeds a whole area.
How to remove it by hand
- Pull seedlings while they are soft, usually April to June. The roots are shallow.
- For larger plants, wear long sleeves and heavy gloves, since the spines are sharp.
- Pull the whole plant, root included, and bag it.
- Do not leave dried plants to blow around. Gather and bag them.
- Check fence lines and corners, where plants pile up.
When to pull it
Seedlings come up after spring rains, plants get spiny through summer, and they dry and tumble in fall. Pull before July for an easy job.
How to keep it from coming back
- Cover bare ground with mulch or plants.
- Clear fence lines and corners in fall.
- Pull neighboring seedlings you can reach, since seed blows across boundaries.
Russian Thistle FAQs
Is a tumbleweed the same as kochia?
Both tumble, but Russian thistle is the classic Western tumbleweed and gets spiny when it matures. Kochia has softer leaves. Both are easiest to pull young.
When should I pull tumbleweeds?
As seedlings in spring, when they are soft and small. Waiting until fall means dealing with spines and seed.
Why do I get tumbleweeds every year?
The seeds are carried by tumbling plants, including ones from nearby lots and neighbors. Pulling yours young, and clearing fence lines, keeps your yard from becoming the catch basin.
Skip the pulling
A weeder from Utah Weed Pullers can handle russian thistle for you: one visit a week, pulled by hand with no sprays, from $322 a month. We serve all of Utah County and Salt Lake County, including Lehi, Provo, Orem, Draper, Sandy, South Jordan, American Fork, Salt Lake City. See every city.