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Gardening

Bayard

(24,145 posts) Thu Feb 6, 2020, 01:18 PM Feb 2020

Opinions on garden flame-throwers

Anyone use a propane torch for weeding? Is it a pain to use? Recommendations,.

Getting ready for spring, and the weeds left over from last year

5 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Opinions on garden flame-throwers (Original Post) Bayard Feb 2020 OP

thinking about getting one myself. have used a plumber's torch for scrub trees. mopinko Feb 2020 #1

I have one. GP6971 Feb 2020 #2

I could see that Drifter Feb 2020 #3

Any particular type or brand? Bayard Feb 2020 #4

I got mine from Amazon. GP6971 Feb 2020 #5

mopinko

(71,802 posts)

1. thinking about getting one myself. have used a plumber's torch for scrub trees.

Reply to Bayard (Original post)

Thu Feb 6, 2020, 01:27 PM

Feb 2020

i am thinking of getting a roofer's torch. got a fence full of mulberry saplings to deal w.

GP6971

(32,977 posts)

2. I have one.

Reply to Bayard (Original post)

Thu Feb 6, 2020, 01:29 PM

Feb 2020

They're good for flower beds and for eliminating weeds in driveway expansion joints. The problem is using it on lawns...it takes out the grass around the weed.

Drifter

(4,751 posts)

3. I could see that

Reply to GP6971 (Reply #2)

Thu Feb 6, 2020, 03:24 PM

Feb 2020

It really is not intended to be used on established plants (like lawn weeds).
Flame weeders are used to kill very small weeds within a few days of germination.
This germination is encouraged by a process called "stale seed bedding".

This is a technique that SPIN (Small Plot INtensive) farmers use.

Otherwise, I love using it.

Cheers
Drifter

Bayard

(24,145 posts)

4. Any particular type or brand?

Reply to Bayard (Original post)

Thu Feb 6, 2020, 03:39 PM

Feb 2020

GP6971

(32,977 posts)

5. I got mine from Amazon.

Reply to Bayard (Reply #4)

Thu Feb 6, 2020, 08:22 PM

Feb 2020

Houseables Weed Torch, propane, 20,000 BTU. About $38 IIRC.

Also great for melting small amounts of snow and ice.

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