Using Weed Burners For Organic Weed ControlWeed burners (also called flame burners or flame guns) bring fast results in organic weed control. In areas such as patios, sidewalks, driveways and other concrete or asphalt structures, this is the way to go. In the flower beds, burning the weeds is a bit more dicey. And, of course, you need to watch out for your resident garden gnomes . We enjoy a tad bit of heat for the chilly nights, but don’t get too close to our living spaces! There is a right way and a wrong way to use fire to weed your garden. Here are some pointers I’ve gathered about how to do it right. Types Of Weed BurnersYou can purchase various types at garden centers and hardware stores. Some places sell a small, portable torch with a little propane tank attached. These torches have the tank, the torch and the starter all in one place. They’re fine if you do not have large areas of weeds to clear.Most gardeners will want to go ahead and get a heavy-duty torch, such as those sold by Red Dragon. They have a torch called the “Weed Dragon.” Basically, what you get is a torch, hose, spark starter and an attachment for attaching the torch to a full size propane tank. There are also wheeling dolly carts and backpack attachments so that you can wear a propane tank on your back, if you like. (I, personally, would not recommend the backpack method!) Correctly Using Your Weed BurnerThere are a couple of things you should know before lighting your weed burner. First of all, never use it around mulch or plants with highly flammable sap (pines, spruces, firs, etc.). That is a good way to light your entire garden on fire.Next, be certain to pay attention to local burn regulations in your area. If there is a burn ban, it means you can’t use your weed burner. To start the weed burner: Make sure that all of your attachments are correctly secured. Next, get your spark lighter handy and hold the torch in one hand, pointing away from yourself and anything you don’t want to catch on fire. Then, turn on the propane. Immediately hold the spark lighter about six inches from the nozzle and squeeze. If you are having problems getting the flame lit, turn OFF the propane. Let the air clear and start over. Killing Weeds With Your Flame GunOnce you know how to correctly operate the flame gun, you need to actually kill weeds with it. For very well established weeds, it could take a few rounds of burning before you kill them. That is because the soil insulates roots well, and reduces the impact. You may kill the tops of the weeds, but not the rest. After a few “kill the top, let it re-sprout, kill it again” rounds, you will have gotten rid of the weed. These torches work best in areas not surrounded by other plants, or in areas with very young plants—as they will have fewer reserves to draw from to re-sprout.A Double-Duty ToolIn addition to using them to get rid of garden weeds, these small hand-held torches are also great for de-icing the sidewalk or front porch in the winter. Some potters also use specific weed torches for Raku pottery making instead of buying a more expensive torch. Hm, a Raku garden gnome might be a nice addition to your family!Happy gardening, Geefrank
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