Barry & Iris McCanna wrote:

Sorry to throw cold water on your enthusiasm :-( Yes, strimming
makes things look great and tidy, etc. We do it ourselves. But,
don't think your thistle is dead just because you have taken the top
off. Nothing dies unless you kill the roots or dig it up.

Oh yes it does! If you keep mowing an area of weeds frequently enough
and short enough you will, within a few months, end up with what is
basically a lawn. There will be a few plants other than grass that
can survive being short and flat (plantains, some clover, maybe
daisies) but it will be mostly grass and there certainly won't be any
thistles.

--
Chris Green )