Re: weed removal by flaming

**H*@aol.com**

Sabine:

We're in the middle of testing a propane torch for weed  control.  We're 
using a one pound tank on a three foot extension.  One  area is a 1500 sf. 
cobble courtyard where weeds and grasses have been an ongoing  issue between 
the pavers.  In the past we would make multiple applications  of Roundup 
through the season.  That method was quick and relatively  inexpensive but had to 
be repeated, had the oft mentioned drawbacks of using  glyphosphate and the 
Roundlup did nothing to control the seed crop that was left  behind just 
waiting to germinate.

The initial burn with the propane torch was time consuming and  used about 
5 pounds of propane.  The knockdown was complete and unlike the  Roundlup 
the flame essentially leaves behind a sterile base since any left  behind 
seeds are burned.  There's some spot regrowth which needs to be  taken care of 
before any seed is set but it looks like that may be all that's  needed for 
the summer.

The other area is another courtyard that's has a pea stone  base.  Same 
issue for the initial burn down and clean up but I'm noticing  more germination 
of grasses than in the cobble courtyard.  My take is that  the flame was 
not able to reach seed lodged under the gravel which later  germinated and now 
needs to be flamed.  If a simple follow up is all that's  needed that will 
be fine but if we need to come back and repeat the burn  numerous times that 
may be an issue.  We'll know more as the summer  progresses.

I've limited the use of the torching to periods just after  rain so lessen 
the chances of embers getting into near by mulched beds and  reviewed basic 
safety measures with our grounds crew..including having a hose or  water 
source nearby just in case.

The bottom line so far is that the torching is much more  expensive and 
time consuming, but not to the point where I'd go back to  herbicides .

A

Andrew Messinger
The Hampton Gardener is a  registered trade mark and is published every 
Thursday in The Southampton Press,  The Press and the Easthampton Press 

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