Help me identify this weed

Question: This weed has taken over our gardens. Nothing I’ve done has helped

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 01, 2023, 4:57 PM EDT
response: Yes, this is a tough invasive weed. It is definitely a thistle, maybe canada or bull thistle. Either way, check these websites below for ways to control it. There are several options but it will probably take a couple of seasons to gain control.   https://extension.umd.edu/resource/invasive-herbaceous-plant-control  https://www.invasive.org/weedcd/pdfs/wgw/canadathistle.pdf  Good luck. Please feel free to contact us again if this information is not helpful. Robin

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 01, 2023, 8:36 PM EDT
response: Thanks. These weeds have no flowers. I had looked up thistle on many sites and most show flowers. These don’t. Even though they have very prickly leaves we pull them from the ground with the roof but literally days later they’re back. Any other suggestions?On Mon, May 1, 2023 at 4:57 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 03, 2023, 9:30 AM EDT
response: Thistles aren't flowering yet (at least, not Canada Thistle), even if this plant is old enough to bloom this year. I It is probably growing from pieces of root left after being pulled before any flowers develop. Canada Thistle is very hard to remove without herbicide and it will be a tedious process of promptly removing all thistle foliage as soon as it's spotted so it can't replenish root energy stores. Otherwise, spot-treat the re-sprouts with a systemic herbicide. It might need more than one treatment, so read the label instructions about timing between applications. The links originally provided will explain herbicide application but you could basically carefully spray or even dab on a systemic herbicide (something like glyphosate aka Roundup or other product names) so the toxins can travel to the roots and help kill the remaining pieces that are re-growing. If you have other desirable plants near by, you can use a piece of cardboard to shield them so there isn't any chemical drift if you're spraying. As mentioned, you may have to reapply afterwards, just double check the label directions.  Let us know if you have further questions with this.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 03, 2023, 12:05 PM EDT
response: Thanks very much Emily.  Have a good day. On Wed, May 3, 2023 at 9:31 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 03, 2023, 12:56 PM EDT
response: you're welcome - you too!