Removing Thistles with a Chisel Hoe

1. Take hold of both handles, with your weaker hand forward.

2. Your aim is to cut off the stalk just below the point of growth, which will prevent it growing again from that point.

A chisel hoe in action

Philip Trevelyan removing small thistles at Hill Top Farm, Spaunton.
Adopt a cranking motion of the arms (instead of straight up and down) and drop the blade to the ground just behind the rosette.