The propane torch garden weeder shown below is a great tool that we’ve found useful for doing some quick, organic weeding.
We found ours on sale at Harbor Freight several years ago. The same model appears to be available at Amazon too if you don’t have a Harbor Freight nearby – scroll down to find the link below.
It’s awesome what we’re able to accomplish in very little time with this little torch adapter for a propane tank!
How The Propane Torch Garden Weeder Works
The propane torch hooks onto any standard 20 lb. propane cylinder and it kills the weeds by flaming (burning) them.
It’s very useful when you want to clear weeds out of a large area quickly or to kill weed seeds in prepared garden beds. If you use it just before you plant your garden seeds in the beds, it kills the weed seeds so they don’t germinate.
It’s also useful if you need to soften asphalt for some reason or you want to melt snow or ice in a specific area.
Where To Find A Propane Torch Attachment
The torch we purchased was from Harbor Freight, but a model that looks to be the same or very similar is on Amazon and you can purchase it here: Propane Torch With Push Button Igniter.
I recommend getting the model that has the push-button igniter for easier lighting. When we purchased ours, they also had one for about $10.00 less without the igniter. I’m afraid that might be difficult to light.
Even with the unit we got, the gas has to be turned down very low to get it to light, but once you get the hang of that, it’s super easy to use.
Using The Propane Torch Garden Weeder
Of course, you need to be careful when using a propane torch like this. Be sure to use proper safety precautions and wear appropriate protective gear.
It’s also highly recommended that you hook up a water spray hose and have it ready in case any fire starts getting out of control.
This is what it looked like as I started using it to remove the weeks on the bank above our rock wall (see Bramblestone Wall).
And this is what the bank looked like less than an hour later – weeds eradicated! It would have been difficult and time-consuming to do this using other methods.
After torching, we were able to immediately plant this bank with Ivy to start getting a ground cover established.
I think the propane torch garden weeder is just fantastic, I can use it in the garden, in the flower beds – everywhere there are weeds!
It saves so much time, helps avoid using chemicals, and torched seeds in the upper soil layer aren’t going to germinate anymore. It’s the best thing since sliced bread for weeding!
Carol L says
Yikes! Loved this post, now I have ANOTHER item to buy!
Just FYI: the photos in the post do not appear to follow the: “Be sure to use proper safety precautions and wear appropriate protective gear.” (ahem….)
Shorts, no goggles, no gloves for working with hot items…..oops!
Also, both links here caused my computer severe difficulty! I had to basically shut it down, then STILL had issues with it.
Bill says
Oh man, I want one. I hadn’t thought about using it along a fence line before.
Growing My Own says
My husband put my tank on an old two wheel cart. It makes it a lot easier for me to move around. I have a brick driveway. It works like a dream!
Lesa says
That’s a great idea – that tank gets heavy after awhile!