Fighting Weeds With Fire—Safely!

Q. Larkin in Nashville writes: “Thank you for recommending we stop using Round-up. But weeds are tough, and I fear that nothing works besides toxins and flame. I was sad to learn that the black weed blocking fabric breaks down into microplastics and other chemicals. (McGrath here: it never worked well to control weeds to begin with! AND it’s a real struggle to get rid of, because grass grows up through the tiny drainage holes in the fabric and anchors the darn stuff firmer than a load of bricks.)

Back to Larkin: “I’m alarmed when burning is recommended for weed control, especially if that advice is heard in drier regions by less aware listeners.

“With all of the wildfires consuming vast stretches of land these days, would you please add cautions to your flame weeding advice; especially asking potential users to first consider if the region is in a dry period--or recommend something else if there is anything.

“And maybe you can also propose solutions to all of our changing weather realities: be they fire, drought, mudslide, or flood.

He continues: “Some ideas might include planting no-now groundcovers on slopes instead of {quote} “rock gardens” in areas prone to flooding and mud slides. And maybe installing rock gardens where people are experiencing more fires and have less water, as well as urging them to clear brush mechanically near their homes (maybe with the help of those rental goats you always speak about—and they can also do yoga with the goats!)”

McGrath here: That last line blew my mind, but it turns out that ‘goat yoga’ is a real thing! As NPR reported back in 2018 (where have I been all this time?!) the activity is perfectly in line with what goats do. "It's just natural behavior," says goat specialist Susan Schoenian of the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. "They love to climb."

Who had the bright idea to bring goats and yoga together? Yoga Journal credits Lainey Morse, who has a farm in Albany, Oregon, as an early adopter: "A cute idea to host a yoga class at her farm while baby goats pranced around has turned into a phenomenon with a more than 500-person wait list."

“There's also a business side to all of this. For folks who own a small group of goats, renting them out for a goat yoga class is a good way to increase their income stream, Schoenian notes.”

McGrath again: And let’s not forget the goats’ ability (and enthusiasm) for devouring invasive species—especially on slopes that are tough for people to navigate. AND goats should be used extensively in fire-prone regions to help keep brush and explosive trees like palms, pines, junipers, cedars, eucalyptus, and firs under control while the trees are still small. The website for California’s El Dorado County lists several less-flammable options; and the Urban Forestry page on the site “Forestry Now’ has an excellent list of the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

Getting back to flame weeding precautions and alternatives. First, if your area is under a ‘burn watch’, don’t even think about it—and have a hose handy even when you’re just grilling outdoors. (As they say, sparks fly.) And if you set off fireworks during dry times, I hope your neighbors turn you in!

Overreaction? A site called High Country News reports that “On average, more than 18,500 fires ignite during Independence Day celebrations from fireworks and campfires; and that number is only going to get worse as climate change accelerates droughts, and heat waves worsen, making vegetation incredibly dry.”

However, if weather is normal and vegetation isn’t bone dry, flame weeding can be an excellent tactic—especially around this time of year, when annual crabgrass plants produce thousands of seeds that will otherwise sprout in the Spring unless you prevent their persistence with a toasty roasty right now—just stand over a crabgrass plant and heat the seeds in the center past their ability to germinate.

But: Never flame weed alone; always have a helper handy (or a handy helper) at the ready to put out any smoldering remains with a garden hose. Don’t rely on yourself; enlist assistance before you start. And hang around for a while after you’re finished to make SURE everything is out.

And that dreaded ‘weed barrier’ stuff? Growing in raised beds (which, of course, is highly recommended for many reasons), allows you to substitute a layer of cardboard underneath the bed instead. You’ll get better weed blockage—without the mess and plastic pollution. Raised beds are also a great way to protect your plants from flooding; the higher your beds, the safer your plants will be when it pours. (I love to see the water flow down the lanes!) 

And finally, high strength vinegars labeled for horticultural use are highly effective against weeds, especially in dry times, when flame is not an option. Just be sure the vinegar IS high-strength and not the 5% white vinegar from the supermarket; it’s too diluted with water to work well on tough weeds. And ALWAYS wear gloves and protective eyewear when spraying.

A final word from Larkin: “I started this email because it freaks me out hearing about flame-based weeding. I’ve spent hours thinking about it and now I need to get outside! Thanks!”

Thank YOU, Larkin, for bringing up an important topic!