On Wed, 25 Jul 2007 08:58:48 -0500, Lar wrote:

Persephone wrote:



****NOBODY has answered about hot water. I use it routinely to
kill weeds between plates of the concrete patio. Seems the
least toxic and still effective. I just don't know if it would harm
PP's roots.

Hope to hear about vinegar & hot water, and thanks to all for
replies.

Persephone.



Wondering if constant use of vinegar in an area can change the PH of the
soil thus causing growing issues to some plants. Hot water? Well would
guess near boiling is what you need and for your preferred plant it
would depend how much root damage the water could cause to it. If you
feel boiling water is a safer mode of weed control, it can be, but it
is more hazardous...carrying a pot of boiling water from the kitchen out
the door and pour it where you want to pour it. How dangerous could that
be? Had a customer who was talked into using boiling water to kill out
fire ant nests instead of chemicals so he decided to do the right thing
and go that route himself. Had a big pot of water going and when it was
ready snatched it up to head out the door...the problem was his daughter
2-4 years old (forget now exactly how old she was) was wrapped up in a
blanket playing with a new puppy had walked behind him without him
noticing. He took up the water and turned to head out the door and
stepped on the blanket dragging on the floor, slipped and spilled the
water. He was able to push the falling pot away from the kid and what
water that spilt on her was diverted by the blanket, but still had some
burns. He had a hand/wrist doused with the boiling water causing a
severe burn, in which he was still having issues with for over a year
that I know of. The dropped pot landed on the puppy killing it.

Lar

What a terrifying story! Thank heavens disaster was averted --
narrowly!

To apply hot water to weeds in cracks, or wherever in garden:

I fill the electric kettle and plug it into the outside garage outlet
(or if you don't have one, use an extension cord). That way you
are dealing with a smaller quantity of hot water, under control.
Rather refill a few times if treating a larger area, than risk
tragedy per above cautionary tale.

Persephone