getting prickly lettuce out of my yard - naturally

It's out of control!  If I start pulling it, I'll be out there until the frost comes.  Is there any remedies for prickly lettuce?  It appeared out of nowhere and now is everywhere!  Any help will be greatly appreciated!  And, if anyone wants to come harvest it, just say the word!  

Since it's now everywhere, I'd say take a weed wacker to it before it blooms--make sure it won't reseed next year. If you know where it's coming from (blowing in from a neighbor?) then try to block that avenue for reseeding.

Also find someone who needs a painkiller boost. Looks like you have lactuca serriola, which is related to lactuca virosa, or opium lettuce.

We live in rural Iowa and have crops on all sides of us. There is a waterway to our south but really not sure where it’s coming from. I thought about figuring out how to forage some of milk from it but haven’t gotten that far (nor do I know how)

Thanks so much for the reply!  

Michele

Mowing keeps them down.

Raking when they are seedlings kills most of them. They are delicate when young.

If you cut them off just below soil level, they don't re-sprout.

A friend of mine just picks a leaf (he has canadensis rather than serriolla--serriolla is MUCH more prickly!) and chews on it. Another friend does a tincture. Neither has virosa, and both say it works well for their pain.

It probably didn't come in from the waterway. Look at the direction of the prevailing winds at this time of year, when it's starting to seed, for your culprit. Then weed-wack it! It'll still sprout below where its cut, but if it reflowers the flowers won't go as far because they'll be close to the ground. I'm slowly clearing my yard of it. I had it pretty much done, then I got distracted and the next year it was insane again.

I'm spreading the seeds in one area so I'll have it when its needed.

If you keep chickens, let them graze them - mine love eating it. I chop and hang bunches in their run.

I didnt even know what prickly lettuce was until a neighbor came over just the other day and identified it for me! So after reading this thread I researched it’s multiple uses and decided not to pull my prickly lettuce but to keep it!

I also munched down some sap about 20 minutes ago and I will admit I am having a noticeable mild response!  Very Interesting.

Headed in for a nap…..

My goats also think it is delicious.......maybe the animals know something we don't  

I think a couple of goats would be fun