Hello,

A quick question really. Has anyone used one of those weed torch gadgets ? -
they have a gas can and are like a blow torch on a long handle

I would like to know if they are worth getting , are effective and on what
kind and how big a weed ( or weeds). Are they easy to use?

I have tried countless times to get rid of all sorts of weeds in my garden
with weed killer but the stuff seems to lack guts these days and was
wondering if fire might be the answer.

Thanks for any advice.

On 23/06/2012 07:21, sweetheart wrote:
Hello,

A quick question really. Has anyone used one of those weed torch gadgets
? - they have a gas can and are like a blow torch on a long handle

I would like to know if they are worth getting , are effective and on
what kind and how big a weed ( or weeds). Are they easy to use?

I have tried countless times to get rid of all sorts of weeds in my
garden with weed killer but the stuff seems to lack guts these days and
was wondering if fire might be the answer.

Glyphosate will kill any green plant it touches roots included. Takes
about two weeks for full effect so be patient - longer in the cold and
damp summer we are having at the moment. Faster acting things like
Weedol or Pathclear will do specific jobs more quickly and completely.

ISTR one of the more potent persistent weedkillers has been withdrawn
from use in the likes of Pathclear, but that doesn't affect its
immediate effect only how long the path stays weed free.

Thanks for any advice.

They are a complete waste of time and money unless you are an
Organic(TM) freak and subscribe to the all chemicals are bad scam.
Double irony is that burning weeds *will* make dioxins.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

I have to differ from other opinions. I've had one for three years (Wilco
about 20 quid) and think it's great.
Pete C

On Sat, 23 Jun 2012 08:38:05 +0100, Martin Brown wrote:

They are a complete waste of time and money unless you are an
Organic(TM) freak and subscribe to the all chemicals are bad scam.
Double irony is that burning weeds *will* make dioxins.

You don't burn the plants with a weed burner though you just waft the flame
over them enough to cause a visble change in colour and/or wilt. The heat
damages the cell structure and the top growth dies. Depending on the plant
that may or may not be enough to kill it.

The small gas cannister "walking stick" things are fine for small weeds
between paving or in gravel but not so good for big weeds or large well
vegitated areas.

Glyphosate is considered "safe" though the stronger concentrates have been
removed from retail sale. They are still available from agri merchants etc.
Cheap generic "Weed killer" you get from a shed will have as much water
(cheap) and as little active ingredient (expensive) in it that they think
they can get away with. Look at the lables...

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.co.uk...
On Sat, 23 Jun 2012 08:38:05 +0100, Martin Brown wrote:

They are a complete waste of time and money unless you are an
Organic(TM) freak and subscribe to the all chemicals are bad scam.
Double irony is that burning weeds *will* make dioxins.

You don't burn the plants with a weed burner though you just waft the
flame
over them enough to cause a visble change in colour and/or wilt. The heat
damages the cell structure and the top growth dies. Depending on the plant
that may or may not be enough to kill it.

The small gas cannister "walking stick" things are fine for small weeds
between paving or in gravel but not so good for big weeds or large well
vegitated areas.

Glyphosate is considered "safe" though the stronger concentrates have been
removed from retail sale. They are still available from agri merchants
etc.
Cheap generic "Weed killer" you get from a shed will have as much water
(cheap) and as little active ingredient (expensive) in it that they think
they can get away with. Look at the lables...

I have been using roundup and weedol even tried the 24 hr fast acting stuff
but its all useless.

I started off with nettles a couple of feet high across the back and was
trying to get at them early b ut now they are 10ft high and have started to
"march" across the lawn as the get bigger and more widespread.

Nothing has worked. I know putting a bonfire on the ground clears it for a
time ( and then they start again.

I have tried smothering the ground with thick carpet but they grow through.

This isn't a few dandelions in the patio - so what is there that will work?
And the green wellie chemical free brigade can come and hike in my stinging
nettles and see how they like it, if they want to object - I am pro anything
that will do the job.

In article , "sweetheart" says...

I have been using roundup and weedol even tried the 24 hr fast acting stuff
but its all useless.

Are you following the dilution and application rates accurately?

I have tried smothering the ground with thick carpet but they grow
through.

What kind of time frame?

Janet

"Janet" wrote in message
...

In article , "sweetheart" says...

I have been using roundup and weedol even tried the 24 hr fast acting
stuff
but its all useless.

Are you following the dilution and application rates accurately?

I have tried smothering the ground with thick carpet but they grow
through.

What kind of time frame?

Janet

Nettles 10ft high ??????????? !!!!!!!!!!!! -well they will flower then, and
spread by seed.
Sounds like you are in the range of the mini excavator and skip solution.

Pete

"Janet" wrote in message
...
In article , "sweetheart" says...

I have been using roundup and weedol even tried the 24 hr fast acting
stuff
but its all useless.

Are you following the dilution and application rates accurately?

yes, in fact I have even tried using a stronger solution.


I have tried smothering the ground with thick carpet but they grow
through.

What kind of time frame?

The carpet has been on the garden two years. It did supress some smaller
weeds and twitch grass but mostly they have just pushed their way through
in the summer. It was a thick carpet too. I really couldnt believe it.

The commercial ground cover is even more useless.

Since it is stinging nettles and they grow apace in the summer, its getting
out of hand now, I need drastic action.

On 23/06/2012 15:01, sweetheart wrote:

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.co.uk...
On Sat, 23 Jun 2012 08:38:05 +0100, Martin Brown wrote:

They are a complete waste of time and money unless you are an
Organic(TM) freak and subscribe to the all chemicals are bad scam.
Double irony is that burning weeds *will* make dioxins.

You don't burn the plants with a weed burner though you just waft the
flame
over them enough to cause a visble change in colour and/or wilt. The heat
damages the cell structure and the top growth dies. Depending on the
plant
that may or may not be enough to kill it.

The small gas cannister "walking stick" things are fine for small weeds
between paving or in gravel but not so good for big weeds or large well
vegitated areas.

Glyphosate is considered "safe" though the stronger concentrates have
been
removed from retail sale. They are still available from agri merchants
etc.
Cheap generic "Weed killer" you get from a shed will have as much water
(cheap) and as little active ingredient (expensive) in it that they think
they can get away with. Look at the lables...

I have been using roundup and weedol even tried the 24 hr fast acting
stuff but its all useless.

The 24 hour fast acting stuff is particularly useless. You want a slow
kill over 2-3 weeks to have maximum effect using a translocating
weedkiller like glyphosate with the least amount of chemicals used.

I have cleared acres of stinging nettle and brambles with glyphosate
followed after it is tinder dry with a slash and burn. Doesn't look
pretty with scorched earth but it gets the job done. The you can pick
off any seedlings as they come up against the dark earth.

I started off with nettles a couple of feet high across the back and was
trying to get at them early b ut now they are 10ft high and have started
to "march" across the lawn as the get bigger and more widespread.

Dunno what you are doing then. I allow nettles to grow in the wilder
parts of my garden as butterfly habitat. Seldom more than 8' high. They
stay put and are relatively easy to prize out with a fork when unwanted
(although I have broken a fork once doing exactly that).

Nothing has worked. I know putting a bonfire on the ground clears it for
a time ( and then they start again.

I have tried smothering the ground with thick carpet but they grow through.

It should take them a couple of years though.

This isn't a few dandelions in the patio - so what is there that will
work? And the green wellie chemical free brigade can come and hike in my
stinging nettles and see how they like it, if they want to object - I am
pro anything that will do the job.

For a small area I would just go for physical removal they are fairly
shallow rooted and the roots are bright yellow so hard to miss.

You don't give any indication of the scale. A few square metres to an
acre I would use a hit of generic B&Q glyphosate (the stuff you buy as
concentrate and dilute to use) with a wand sprayer or backpack.

Do not buy the prediluted stuff. It is vastly overpriced impure water
with a huge profit margin. There is no real skill to mixing your own
weedkiller although failure to mix it up properly might explain your
failures. I am pretty certain everything apart from holly and ivy that I
spray with glyphosate will be dead within three weeks.

Nettles show yellow new growth just after a week and in their weakened
state physical removal becomes fairly easy.Wear gloves and chop the tops
off first to avoid getting stung unnecessarily.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

"Martin Brown" wrote in message
...
On 23/06/2012 15:01, sweetheart wrote:

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message




I have cleared acres of stinging nettle and brambles with glyphosate
followed after it is tinder dry with a slash and burn. Doesn't look pretty
with scorched earth but it gets the job done. The you can pick off any
seedlings as they come up against the dark earth.


I have been trying to get this effect - but not succeeded .




Dunno what you are doing then. I allow nettles to grow in the wilder parts
of my garden as butterfly habitat. Seldom more than 8' high.

I suggest I have good soil. The kind that grows without even needing
coaxing.



You don't give any indication of the scale.

The majority of the problem is in an area around 100 feet across x 12 feet
deep at the back of the garden - but as I said, it is encroaching on the
rest now. The nettles are so lethel (?) that I cant even get into it at
the moment. Thats why I started earlier before they got a growing hold again
but it doesnt seem to have worked and the weeds are growing better than
ever. Sounds daft but its not a joking matter for me.



A few square metres to an
acre I would use a hit of generic B&Q glyphosate (the stuff you buy as
concentrate and dilute to use) with a wand sprayer or backpack.

I will try and have another go at it when the weather comes in dry again.
Thanks.

"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote in
:


"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.co.uk...
On Sat, 23 Jun 2012 08:38:05 +0100, Martin Brown wrote:

They are a complete waste of time and money unless you are an
Organic(TM) freak and subscribe to the all chemicals are bad scam.
Double irony is that burning weeds *will* make dioxins.

You don't burn the plants with a weed burner though you just waft the
flame
over them enough to cause a visble change in colour and/or wilt. The
heat damages the cell structure and the top growth dies. Depending on
the plant that may or may not be enough to kill it.

The small gas cannister "walking stick" things are fine for small
weeds between paving or in gravel but not so good for big weeds or
large well vegitated areas.

Glyphosate is considered "safe" though the stronger concentrates have
been removed from retail sale. They are still available from agri
merchants etc.
Cheap generic "Weed killer" you get from a shed will have as much
water (cheap) and as little active ingredient (expensive) in it that
they think they can get away with. Look at the lables...

I have been using roundup and weedol even tried the 24 hr fast acting
stuff but its all useless.

I started off with nettles a couple of feet high across the back and
was trying to get at them early b ut now they are 10ft high and have
started to "march" across the lawn as the get bigger and more
widespread.

Nothing has worked. I know putting a bonfire on the ground clears it
for a time ( and then they start again.

I have tried smothering the ground with thick carpet but they grow
through.

This isn't a few dandelions in the patio - so what is there that will
work? And the green wellie chemical free brigade can come and hike in
my stinging nettles and see how they like it, if they want to object -
I am pro anything that will do the job.


The nettles have most likely been in seed and the seed has blown in the
wind all over the place. They will grow again. When they grow it is VITAL
not to let them seed again. Hoe(not the best idea yet),Dab or spray with
glyphosate when you see any new ones. I think I am right in saying that
some nettles also grow from underground root system so just keep on top
of them with the chemical attack. You will kill the root system, but the
seeds are viable for 20+ years, so next year you can hoe them out in the
knowledge that the root system is dead.

Martin Brown within this thread has suggested over diluting the
glyphosate 10-20%, and I agree, but up to 50%.
Overdosing by my experience is a waste of money and time. I have done it
too!

Baz

We have acquired a weed torch at a car boot yesterday.
The couple used to run a gardening business. They told us it runs on
petrol! It's definitely got petrol in it anyway!

Apart from looking very worn it's much like
http://www.mowermagic.co.uk/acatalog...me_Weeder.html

--
http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk

On Sat, 23 Jun 2012 08:38:05 +0100, Martin Brown
wrote:

On 23/06/2012 07:21, sweetheart wrote:
Hello,

A quick question really. Has anyone used one of those weed torch gadgets
? - they have a gas can and are like a blow torch on a long handle

I would like to know if they are worth getting , are effective and on
what kind and how big a weed ( or weeds). Are they easy to use?

I have tried countless times to get rid of all sorts of weeds in my
garden with weed killer but the stuff seems to lack guts these days and
was wondering if fire might be the answer.

Glyphosate will kill any green plant it touches roots included. Takes
about two weeks for full effect so be patient - longer in the cold and
damp summer we are having at the moment. Faster acting things like
Weedol or Pathclear will do specific jobs more quickly and completely.

ISTR one of the more potent persistent weedkillers has been withdrawn
from use in the likes of Pathclear, but that doesn't affect its
immediate effect only how long the path stays weed free.

Thanks for any advice.

They are a complete waste of time and money unless you are an
Organic(TM) freak and subscribe to the all chemicals are bad scam.
Double irony is that burning weeds *will* make dioxins.

I have one that I picked up in Lidl for under a tenner a few years
ago. It only gets used a couple of times a year but it's great for
cleaning between pavers on the patio and also for a quick belt over
the gravel paths (which are laid on top of membrane so nothing is deep
rooted). I wouldn't use it over soil.

Cheers, Jake
=======================================
Ethiopian proverb: When spiders unite they can tie down a lion!

Urgling from the East End of Swansea Bay. We don't yet have a
"dah dah dah dah dah dah dee" theme tune but we're working on it.

I can't tell an astilbe from an aranthus
but I can from an acanthus!

"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote in message
...
Hello,

A quick question really. Has anyone used one of those weed torch gadgets
? - they have a gas can and are like a blow torch on a long handle

I would like to know if they are worth getting , are effective and on
what kind and how big a weed ( or weeds). Are they easy to use?

I have tried countless times to get rid of all sorts of weeds in my garden
with weed killer but the stuff seems to lack guts these days and was
wondering if fire might be the answer.

Thanks for any advice.

I hope not, I just bought glyphosate !
--
--

http://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

On Sat, 23 Jun 2012 18:07:04 +0100, "Ophelia"
wrote:



"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote in message
...
Hello,

A quick question really. Has anyone used one of those weed torch gadgets
? - they have a gas can and are like a blow torch on a long handle

I would like to know if they are worth getting , are effective and on
what kind and how big a weed ( or weeds). Are they easy to use?

I have tried countless times to get rid of all sorts of weeds in my garden
with weed killer but the stuff seems to lack guts these days and was
wondering if fire might be the answer.

Thanks for any advice.

I hope not, I just bought glyphosate !
--

If anyone wants the super-strength stuff try:

http://tinyurl.com/6ofepdt

Bigger sizes are available. This eBay shop is "owned" by a company up
north somewhere but I can't remember it's name.

Cheers, Jake
=======================================
Ethiopian proverb: When spiders unite they can tie down a lion!

Urgling from the East End of Swansea Bay. We don't yet have a
"dah dah dah dah dah dah dee" theme tune but we're working on it.

I can't tell an astilbe from an aranthus
but I can from an acanthus!