[SMD66]

Can you get rid of weeds like brambles, thistles and nettles by burning the plant with a flame thrower of blow torch?  Does the root die too?

[Trillium]

Rarely. It's like forest fires...most trees will die but all the weeds will return with renewed vigor. They've adapted to this fact of life. Suggest with most weeds you simply dig them out. With real spreaders like bindweed, marestail and deep roots like burdock that you simply spray the stumpy bits with glyphosphate which is a definite weed killer. You can spot spray the nastier weeds.

[SMD66]

tere's never an easy way is there!   oh well, back to what we have been doing then, thanks.

[celjaci]

I got a supercharged weedburner similar to what roofers use with bitumen - 3 burner head, lance & trigger, long flexible hose and large gas cylinder.
Unfortunately it didn't prove very effective against perennial weeds, would barely kill the tops let alone the roots - no chance with brambles.

It does work effectively with small seedlings - I use it now on block paving and for stale seedbeds where it is more effective than hoeing because it doesn't disturb the surface and bring more seeds to light.

I believe organic farmers use tractor mounted burners so many days after sowing carrots- timing must be critical!

[SMD66]

we just can't beat nature.  I think we will be digging weeds forever and ever...and ever....

[green fingers]

we just can't beat nature.  I think we will be digging weeds forever and ever...and ever....

You and everyone else on the forum 

[peapod]

we just can't beat nature.  I think we will be digging weeds forever and ever...and ever....

But..but... but..Ive already DONE forever! 

[littlepete]

well im new to the allotment game and i have a jungle ihave put weed killer over the bad areas wich i wont plant anything in till next year.
but my four areas i have cleared i keep on digging weeds out every week.
why dont our veg grow like that

[green fingers]

Is that a philosophical or rhetorical  question

[teflon]

There's an area of my plot that was absolutely covered in every type of weed you could think of.
  Over the last couple of months ive hit them a few times with Roundup then cut them down, then i've burnt piles of pallets  on top of the roots& then dug out what i can.
  It seems to be working.Slowly.