Tumbleweeds rolling across the landscape may make you think of classic old Western movies, but tumbleweeds, or Russian thistle, is more common today than you might think. This invasive plant can grow anywhere the soil is disturbed and once it matures, it breaks off its stem and the dried plant blows across roads and fields spreading seeds for miles. Tumbleweeds can pile up in urban areas, making roads and sidewalks impassable and creating a fire hazard.

While you may not be able to stop tumbleweeds rolling through your neighborhood, you can stop the plant from invading your garden. Russian thistle needs disturbed, bare soil to grow. If you have dried tumbleweeds on your property, dispose of them to stop the spread of seeds. Plant competitive species and use mulch to keep Russian thistle out. If you spot seedlings, hand pulling them is an effective control method. 

For more information on identification and management of Russian thistle, see the recently updated Pest Notes: Russian Thistle fact sheet. Authored by UC weed scientists Scott Oneto and Joe DiTomaso, this newly revised resource includes additional information about management practices, including organic herbicides.