[Kieronl]

Hi
Just come back from holiday and found this odd plant enjoying one of our raised beds. I have no idea what it is.

On the very good ispot web site it has been id as a Wild Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

[JohnB47]

Yep, I'm sure that it's a teasel. Loads of 'em in my back garden. It'll get quite big and will chuck seeds all round if you let it get that far. Nice food for Goldfinches though.

[Trillium]

Definitely don't let teasel get started in your veg beds. As said, it will throw out seed everywhere, and the seed heads are razor sharp, literally. The weaving industry used to use them to 'comb' woven fabric to make it more lofty/fluffy.

While I love to leave food for the finches, the veg bed just isn't the place for teasel.

[viettaclark]

Move it away from the veg!
If you do grow it the seed heads make fantastic flower arrangements and you can spray them gold for Crimbo.
I love to see them in Autumn with spiders' webs and dew......aaaaahhhhhh!