Solitary chicken - need advice

[Couperman]

I am having a bit of a weeding problem at the moment at the allotment.

 

Everytime I hoe the little bliters down and leave them in the sun to dry out, they wait until I have gone and then just plant themsleves again and the weather always seems to be on their side and waters them in!

 

I really don't have time to remove them all by hand as it will take forever.

 

So I am thinking of the Napalm approach once more. There seems to be two types of flamethrower, one that runs on a parasene canister and one that runs on parafin and looks more suited to clearing dense jungle.

 

I was wondering if anyone has the canister type one, and if it is useful for killing weed seedlings when they spring up? Also how long does the bottle last?

 

Kev.

[Richard T]

I haven't tried the type of wand you describe, but I have tried a 12 inch length of dowel, painted black with about an inch of white at each end. I wave it about and say a magic word (Please.). But it doesn't work. All that happens is that a hand-puppet in the shape of an orange bear appears and squirts me in the face with a water pistol.

 

Not a lot of help I'm afraid, but at least you'll know to avoid that type of wand.

[Karen & co.]

I have tried a 12 inch length of dowel, painted black with about an inch of white at each end. I wave it about and say a magic word (Please.). But it doesn't work. .

 

 

I've got one, and love it just be careful you don't start a fire if it's really dry it's rather satisfying to hear the weeds frazzle up especially the stubborn ones that never seem to go when you do the weeding

 

Karen x

[Helen&Lee]

I haven't tried the type of wand you describe, but I have tried a 12 inch length of dowel, painted black with about an inch of white at each end. I wave it about and say a magic word (Please.). But it doesn't work. All that happens is that a hand-puppet in the shape of an orange bear appears and squirts me in the face with a water pistol.

 

Not a lot of help I'm afraid, but at least you'll know to avoid that type of wand.

 

 

God bless you Richard, I've had a really rubbish day (never work with family ) and that has given me a good giggle.

 

Sorry Kev, no weed wand experience.

 

Helen

[Lesley]

Nice of you to cheer us all up Richard

 

I have a weed wand. It is very good. The canister seems to last ages and you only have to heat the weed seedlings, not frazzle them. Don't use it on pathways with black mulch sheet underneath - it melts it

 

Now we have jungle to contend with, rather than just garden, I aspire to something much more vicious

[lizinsa]

These sound a really good idea and fun Can you just buy them at garden centres or DIY stores?

[Butty]

Hi there

I've got one they're great on block paving as well.

I've seen one for sale in our local Wilkinson store.

[Nicola H]

I have one but it didn't seem to work for me I used on the grass growing in between the paving slabs but it didn't seem to kill it........Maybe i was doing something wrong, I must dig it out of the back of the shed and give it another go this year,

[snowcloud]

I have one too and the results are a bit hit and miss; seems good with things that tend to be dry, like grass, but not so good with stronger, thicker beasts like dandelion . Also anything with long roots, like horsetail or bindweed , will soon come right back. Can't beat Roundup for those, I am afraid, or digging them out by hand.

 

It's very satisfying to use, on the things that it does attack well, but close the windows otherwise your wife will complain the house smells of burnt weeds (she has a very preceptive nose, that one...) .

[Geoid]

Now we have jungle to contend with, rather than just garden, I aspire to something much more vicious

How about petrol.... (expensive, but will burn that jungle, and the neigbours shed too)