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Weed seeds- do flame guns work?

• Message 1. 

  Posted by whatalottie (U9072847) on Monday, 17th October 2011

  Due to my OH being ill, and the next door plot empty I have been inundated with weeds, annuals happily, although I'm sure there are nettles amongst them.
  
  While I've weeded them fairly successfully I can see hundreds of seeds. Do you think a flame gun would get rid of them? I haven't dug yet (he's only been home a couple of weeks) so I could, if it's likely to work.
  
  I really don't want to spend the next seven years regretting that my OH was ill at an inconvenient time!
  
  Thanks,
  Lottie

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by bogus the fungi man (U14705597) on Monday, 17th October 2011

  Hello whatalottie,
  
  I've tried using a flame gun and, ok ,it works.... after a fashion. But I found the best and most eco friendly way is the good old sharp hoe. It's quicker than a gun. Whether it's an English push or a Dutch draw hoe. Wear some gloves so you don't get blisters and just cut the blighters off at the roots. Every time I'm up the allotment I get the hoe out and have a quick go. Best to do it when you know you've a dry day ahead of you so the weed dry out and don't root again.
  
  Just watch out for any of your seedlings and young plants you've planted out in the spring or you could remove all your hard work!
  
  Like many things in life: A little bit at a time and often. Though by the sound of it you've got rather a lot to clear!

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by whatalottie (U9072847) on Tuesday, 18th October 2011

  I feel that 'even after a fashion' might halve my problem, there are soooo many. I'd like to nip the problem in the bud, so to speak. I'd rather not have to wait till spring, although I agree that hoeing once they've sprouted is the answer at that stage. It's just the seeds I'm considering at the moment.
  Lottie

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• Message 4

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  Posted by Barney_pl (U13897738) on Tuesday, 18th October 2011

  Are you allowed a bonfire on your allotment? If so, you could collect up yours & your allotment neighbours' 'burnables' and have a decent bonfire on your plot. An allotment Nov 5th party might be great?
  
  When the fire is dying down, rake out the hot embers, spreading it over the ground as far as you can, and do the same with the white hot ash. It will deal with a large number of your surface seeds and those to a depth of about two inches. When it's all cold, dig it in and enrich & condition your soil with the potash.
  
  It doesn't eliminate weeding next year, but it does deal with about 90% of the problem, as I can testify, having used this method on my neighbour's 'jungle'.
  
  Obvious precaution: wear thick clothing and proper boots! The embers and ash give off a lot of heat.
  

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Thesassenach (U14884672) on Wednesday, 19th October 2011

  I've used flame guns successfully, but they are expensive, and do use unnecessary fossil fuels. Every time I boil a kettle, or have hot water from making pasta etc, I pour the spare boiling water on the weeds. That works. That, and hoeing.

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• Message 6

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  Posted by Thesassenach (U14884672) on Wednesday, 19th October 2011

  Oh, and I make sure to try to cover any unused ground, to try and create a "stale seedbed". I've used old carpet, cardboard, black plastic, newspapers, just anything I can get my hands on for free that will act as a light suppressant. Then I can uncover ground as needed, and instead of having a mass of weeds, only have to deal with a few at a time.
  
  

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Friday, 21st October 2011

  Hi Lottie,
  
  It seems a wee bit extreem using a flame gun on weeds, although it must be very fustrating, after putting in alot of hard work on your plot, only to have weeds blown in from a neighbouring empty one.
  
  I'm assuming you are an allotment grower. I'm not an allotment grower so know little of the politics but if the site next door is empty can't you discuss with other people on your allotment to evict the owner and get someone who will tend their plot
  
  A flame gun would only be a short term solution, the empty plot next door is the cause of the problem.

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