Flame weeding

[jeremyf]

I'm after some advice about using a long propane torch to create a sort of stale seedbed - ie - rotavate, leave for 2 or 3 weeks in the spring for the weeds to germinate, then quickly go over the area with a flame weeder and then sow. I guess it could also be used after sowing but before germination?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350241970686&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I'm hoping it could also be used for general spot weeding and interrow weeding if careful and weeding in raspberries/asparagus before new cane growth comes through.

Any thoughts

Regards

Jeremy

[jeremyf]

[PurpleHeather]

So was the chap on the plot next to ours when he bought his.

He was not impressed with it and has used it to start his incinerator ever since.

That is as near as I have got to a personal reference.

[Busby]

I've had an allotment for 40 years and the thought of a flame on my earth makes me shudder, wasn't there something once about 'burnt earth'.

And all the life in the ground, is that worthless? There were (and maybe still are) Buddhist monks who swept the path before them before walking on it, just to save those little creatures that make up our world.

Why not just kill everything off - saves a whole lot of trouble.

Sorry: but that's how I feel when I read of such practises; including weed killers.

[cornykev]

What happens to the worms when the ground is being scorched. :o     ???    :-\    ;D ;D ;D

[chriscross1966]

Flame weeding will only heat up the top few mm of the soil.... it's a fast way to kill off annual weeds... it won't kill the perennials just burn the tops off and it's unlikely to kill any worms unless they';re right at the surface.....

chrisc

[jeremyf]

Thanks for your replies

The theory is to move over the earth quickly as to only rupture the cells of emerging weeds so they die within hours, not to burn them to a crisp. I agree surface creatures may not survive a direct hit but I guess thats the same with a hoe/ cultivating to some degree. Worms will be unharmed along with anything below the surface.

Certain plants like leeks/alliums/corn (they grow from the centre or something like that) can tolerate some heat so this method can be used for inter row weeding. This is very useful for organic weed control but appears to be little used in this country - not sure why though? 

I have almost an acre and really struggle to manage the weeds. All methods I have used to control weeds at this scale appear to have some negative side effects? (roundup/ regular cultivating) I think loosing a few ground beetles that dont manage to find shelter is sad but tolerable perhaps?

Surely its better than using chemicals?

jeremy

[cornykev]

OK, I thought I'd ask as I'd always wondered about the worms, I always thought thats where Glow worms come from.  :-X     ;D ;D ;D

[chriscross1966]

OK, I thought I'd ask as I'd always wondered about the worms, I always thought thats where Glow worms come from.  :-X     ;D ;D ;D

Don't make me get out of this chair.....:D

[hippydave]

i use a sheen x300 flamegrn the area overun and its the dogs danglies i turn the area over leave it a few weeks for the seedling to start emerging and then just run the gun over it hey presto no weeds to compete with my seedlings i use it down the edge of the paths and on perennial docks and thistles dosnt need a long time on them just a few seconds and the plant even looks undamaged but in a few days time the plant has died and then i just the gun over the dead plants and it burns them up into ash to feed the ground, as for damaging the soil look at forest fires the get very very burnt but with in the few weeks there are plant emerging from the destruction and the ecosystem starts to recover even the invertebrates so i dont think that a quick scootch over does much damage i still have plenty of creepy crawlies and worms just not so many weeds ;D

[jeremyf]

Hi Hippydave, those sheen flame guns are quite expensive and the parafin is not cheap. Do you think i can get the same effect from a long builders propane torch with a small propane bottle on wheels perhaps? £40 for flame gun,regulator and hose and I have a few half empty propane bottles.

Regards

Jeremy

[hippydave]

i dont see y not it should have the same effect without all the messing round with pressurising aswell, i use kerosene in my sheen only costs me a few quid for a gallon.

[RobinOfTheHood]

Hippydave, you're not a million miles away from me, where do you get kerosene? I'm struggling to find it and the price of paraffin is extortionate.

As for the thread, I too have an x300 and agree with all you just said.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Grass fires regenerate very fast and the soil must get hotter than it would from a flame gun properly used.

[hippydave]

Hi robin i get it over the road from where i work in Retford from Headley fuel oils (west carr rd ind est) they have it on pump so its a lot cheaper to buy by the gallon they also have paraffin on pump and that is a lot cheaper than buying it prepacked, tried using kerosene in my greenhose heater but it burns too dirty, thought it may save a few pennies  so will now stick to parrafin in the greenhouse.