Can you blowtorch weeds?

[QuailMan6666]

Has anybody tried using a blowtorch on weeds? Was it safe? And what if the weeds are growing on the mulch and bark? Is there a chance of a wildfire? I live in the suburbs far away from the forests. Would spraying water after burning the weeds help prevent a fire?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

We blowtorch our pastures every year. You probably will need to call and get a burn permit though for specific days to do it

 

[R2elk]

Has anybody tried using a blowtorch on weeds? Was it safe? And what if the weeds are growing on the mulch and bark? Is there a chance of a wildfire? I live in the suburbs far away from the forests. Would spraying water after burning the weeds help prevent a fire?

You probably can't get a burn permit in the suburbs. Check you local zoning regs and ordinances.

 

[saysfaa]

Also, make sure there is no poison ivy in those weeds.

 

[Chocoboko]

Try dumping boiling water on weeds. Has to be enough water to soak into the roots. Cooks them without the chance of fire. Has worked for any unwanted plants I've had sprout up by my foundation.

 

[Alagirl]

the theory behind the blow torch is not to actually burn the weed, but to heat it enough to kill it.
It should be very effective but if they burn you are doing it wrong.
You might need a couple of passes to get the feeling for it. (It's been advocated as a pesticide free way to kill weeds for 30 years in Europe.)

 

[thecatumbrella]

I really wouldn't chance fire + mulch. My beds got neglected this year, so I'm going to rake out in the spring and replace with a new thick layer of mulch. If you need the weeds gone now, either manually remove or pick up some Bonide Burnout (which is a safer Roundup alternative).

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

A number of companies make torches specifically to kill weeds. I haven't used one, so can't speak from personal experience. I think one is called the "Weed Dragon".

 

[aart]

Has anybody tried using a blowtorch on weeds? Was it safe? And what if the weeds are growing on the mulch and bark? Is there a chance of a wildfire? I live in the suburbs far away from the forests. Would spraying water after burning the weeds help prevent a fire?

Where is the mulch/bark....in a garden bed or...???
Using a weed torch there is always a chance that things nearby can also catch of fire.
Caught my lawn on fire while torching a fence line once.