Garden Blowtorch ??

[KevinM67]

I'm curious to find out what people's view are on using a blowtorch on getting rid of/minimising weeds.

I have a communal path running up the side of my plot which gets overrun by thick grasses, docks, etc.
I try my best to cut it down throughout the season - but can't dig it up due to my neighbour and my fencing on each side.

I was thinking about cutting it down and then giving it a quick blast by a blowtorch to hopefully curtail it a bit.

Worth the �20 - or a pointless purchase ?

[astraman1]

could you not put some weed matting on it and bark chips or check freecycle for some slabs and put slabs on it

the weed burners take alot of time i think

[bearded bloke]

If you're thinking of the wands that run on small gas bottles, keep your money in your pocket, they are fine for the odd weed here & there but will cost a fortune to run for any sort of area.
For a pathway you need the "scorched earth" approach, check local hire shops & see if they do a paraffin fueled weed burner like ........

[noviceveggrower]

I so need one of these. I got told ages ago that those little burners are ok for some stress relief by zapping those pesky weeds but money wise the gas is gone in no time.

[KevinM67]

Thanks for the advice folks - as it's about 50m of path, I'll save my money.

I wouldn't trust myself with that petrol gadget - the whole plot (and surrounding houses) would probably end up in flames.

[Knight of Albion]

At this time of year, an early morning hoeing is the most effective, and environmentally friendly, method of weed control.

[KevinM67]

I know that burning is not the best - however, the tufts of grass and docks are impossible to hoe (or dig up due to surrounding fencing).

I might try and get my hands on a half decent strimmer to tackle them - and then hoe.

[Plot10]

Unfortunately burning will not stop the dock as the roots will be left intact and soon sprout new shoots, same I suspect for couch grass. They can be useful for burning off seed heads so that you don't end up with self seeded dandelions and dock but they're not really any use for perennial weeds.

I use my "wand" type (bought from Lidls for about �12 a few years ago) in the autumn to do a controlled burn of dead grass etc around borders etc which are difficult to get to because of edging, fences etc just to neaten the place up.

[KevinM67]

Unfortunately burning will not stop the dock as the roots will be left intact and soon sprout new shoots, same I suspect for couch grass. They can be useful for burning off seed heads so that you don't end up with self seeded dandelions and dock but they're not really any use for perennial weeds.

I use my "wand" type (bought from Lidls for about �12 a few years ago) in the autumn to do a controlled burn of dead grass etc around borders etc which are difficult to get to because of edging, fences etc just to neaten the place up.

Yep, they are still selling for around the same price.

I might just get one for 'controlled' tidying around my raised beds, borders, etc.