Roundup Alternative: Weed Torch?

Hate the idea of using even more chemicals around the house.  Where can one get weed torches to get rid of weeds around pavers?  They seem to do a better job of preventing weed regrowth as well.  Do I need a permit to use even though it’s fairly basic?

Despite what you hear in the news, RoundUp is not dangerous.  The bad rep is along the lines of 'The state of CA has determined that . . .'.

When the EU tried to ban RoundUp, over 2000 scientists objected (and so do I).

Here is a little more nuance on the situation in Europe: https://phys.org/news/2023-09-glyphosate-restricted.html

Caveat - I don't know anything about the organization that posted this.

Personal take - With all respect for tomcat's plant expertise, there's a lot of smoke here for there to be no fire at all.  If one believed one's livelihood depended on using a chemical herbicide, i don't know enough to argue.  But for weeds around my yard, i'm personally a hard no, if only for risk to nearby desirable plants, and possibly insects too.  There's probably a reason for the warning label.

If you don't find a torch, how about covering the area for a while to kill the weeds?  Plastic sheeting, cardboard, newspaper can all be effective.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/solarization-occultation

Enjoy your yard!

yellowgato said:

Hate the idea of using even more chemicals around the house.  Where can one get weed torches to get rid of weeds around pavers?  They seem to do a better job of preventing weed regrowth as well.  Do I need a permit to use even though it’s fairly basic?

I have one, have used it with mixed success.  If you'd like to borrow it to try it out before buying, you're welcome to it. It uses the small propane tanks that are about $6.  

upthecreek said:

I have one, have used it with mixed success.  If you'd like to borrow it to try it out before buying, you're welcome to it. It uses the small propane tanks that are about $6.  

Thank you upthecreek!  I just ordered one for myself.  Do you know if there are regulations, permits required on their use?  I'd imagine they are they are totally fine sold in so many stores around us.  

What about just pouring boiling water over the weeds?  Pouring the water from a kettle does the job nicely for me.

tomcat said:

Despite what you hear in the news, RoundUp is not dangerous.  The bad rep is along the lines of 'The state of CA has determined that . . .'.

When the EU tried to ban RoundUp, over 2000 scientists objected (and so do I).

I actually agree they are not terrible... RoundUp is basically a very diluted form of glyphosate which is used in extensively in agriculture (to the point we would have a food crisis if it were banned completely), and the hype against it has been quite unscientific.  That said, torch seems just more effective and destructive against the eeevil weeeeeds!!! 

marksierra said:

What about just pouring boiling water over the weeds?  Pouring the water from a kettle does the job nicely for me.

Yeah but it feels like pain to have to boil and lug out a kettle to kill them eeevill weeeds.  Plus there's so much of them.  And torching just seems so effective.  And fun.  Like nuking a zombie horde...

Also, as a low-tech answer to your problem, try plain vinegar with a dash of dish detergent in a spray bottle.  Not as strong as Roundup, but environmentally friendly.  (Don't shake, bubbles make spraying impossible.)

P.S.  "Do I need a permit to use even though it’s fairly basic?"  That's the kind of question I have learned the hard way to avoid around here.

yellowgato said:

upthecreek said:

I have one, have used it with mixed success.  If you'd like to borrow it to try it out before buying, you're welcome to it. It uses the small propane tanks that are about $6.  

Thank you upthecreek!  I just ordered one for myself.  Do you know if there are regulations, permits required on their use?  I'd imagine they are they are totally fine sold in so many stores around us.  

I'm not aware of any regulations, both the torch and the propane can be bought over the counter.  

You can get agricultural vinegar from Home Depot, Lowe’s or Walmart. It’s 20%, 4 times stronger than the stuff in the supermarket. Works like a charm. Use it in dry weather on a Sunny day. Do NOT get it in your eyes because it’s very caustic stuff. Do NOT use it on windy days.

mrmaplewood said:

Also, as a low-tech answer to your problem, try plain vinegar with a dash of dish detergent in a spray bottle.  Not as strong as Roundup, but environmentally friendly.  (Don't shake, bubbles make spraying impossible.)

P.S.  "Do I need a permit to use even though it’s fairly basic?"  That's the kind of question I have learned the hard way to avoid around here.

I have seen "cleaning vinegar" in gallon jugs at Shop Rite in the cleaning aisle.  They didn't specify strength as I recall.

mrmaplewood said:

I have seen "cleaning vinegar" in gallon jugs at Shop Rite in the cleaning aisle.  They didn't specify strength as I recall.

Regular cleaning strength vinegar is about 5% acid. On metaphysician's advice, I went to Home Depot and got some 30% vinegar. I made a solution of four parts vinegar to one part water, added some dish soap and sprayed the weeds that are growing in my driveway yesterday afternoon. They're already brown and dying. Hopefully we'll get some more sunshine today to really kill them off.

ridski said:

Regular cleaning strength vinegar is about 5% acid. On metaphysician's advice, I went to Home Depot and got some 30% vinegar. I made a solution of four parts vinegar to one part water, added some dish soap and sprayed the weeds that are growing in my driveway yesterday afternoon. They're already brown and dying. Hopefully we'll get some more sunshine today to really kill them off.

I use it at the full 30% strength.  It is also available at 75% which NEEDS to be diluted.

I enjoy the feedback.  Has anyone else tried this?

Here's some of my experience.  I use regular household strength vinegar and use it mainly for dandelions.  Sprayed them last year, and the yellow flowers were suppressed.  Last week I noticed that the yard was showing a lot of the flowers again, so I resprayed.  Not sure if this will wipe out my dandelion infestation.  I'll wait to see.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

ridski said:

Regular cleaning strength vinegar is about 5% acid. On metaphysician's advice, I went to Home Depot and got some 30% vinegar. I made a solution of four parts vinegar to one part water, added some dish soap and sprayed the weeds that are growing in my driveway yesterday afternoon. They're already brown and dying. Hopefully we'll get some more sunshine today to really kill them off.

I use it at the full 30% strength.  It is also available at 75% which NEEDS to be diluted.

Yeah, I was reading conflicting reports on neat vs diluted for the 30%, so I erred toward caution for my first doing it. Another lesson I learned is for me to wear a damn back brace with all that bending over.