Jennifer Deegan

weed supressing membrane

Hi,

This flame technique has been very good. Immediately after I finished flaming the lawn the first time, our very bad hayfever (of 2 years) vanished. The next day the lawn looked kind of tan in colour, the way that it does in a really hot dry summer. Today I went out and flamed it again, to try to finish the grass off. It was harder this time, because the gas cylinder was running low. The first time the job was just as quick as strimming. I'm very glad I used the technique, because my toddler was able to play out on the grass as soon as I was finished. There has been no need to wait for rain (which almost never comes here) and no need to worry about the 60 day half life in degrading glyphosate. Just a nice, slightly toasted look to my lawn, and no more hayfever. Huzzah! I'll keep at it and figure out just how long it takes to actually finish of the grass. I need to do that before I can replace it with slower growing lawn seed. It seem that I accidentlly sowed fast growing grass that is mean for livestock farms, and I am trying to switch back.

weed supressing membrane

Well, I've bought a roofers flame gun and flamed my lawn. It was quite easy, and just wanted a lot of health-and-safety type care. The grass turned brighter green as I flamed it, and now looks slightly blackened, but not burnt. I'll post if there is any progress in the coming days.

weed supressing membrane

Hi Nutcutlet, Does the top growth burn off quite quickly, if you get it after a week of dry weather? I gather that I do a first pass to take the cuticle off, and then go over it all again to burn the withered foliage off completely.  Is that what you do, and is it reasonably quick? Thanks! Jen

weed supressing membrane

I actually just want to replace super-fast growing grass with slow growing grass. I am all organic so it's light exclusion or flame gun. I'd be keen to hear from anyone who's used a big propane or paraffin flame gun. I'm an experienced gardener with a degree and PhD in Botany, so not a novice. I don't need other peripheral suggestions. I just would appreciate concrete information from anyone who's actually tried to kill a lawn organically, especially by the above methods.  

weed supressing membrane

Thanks Calendula that's useful to know. You haven't tried a flame gun have you? That's my other option. (sorry to partially duplicate threads, but the other one got very sidetracked.)

Jen

Lawn too healthy

Sheep also splendid. Guinea pigs are also very efficient of couse.

weed supressing membrane

Does anybody know how long weed suppressing membrane has to be in position to kill and established lawn stone dead? I would imagine at least 6 months, 1 month has been suggested. I can't find written documentation on the test being actually carried out. 

Thanks!

Lawn too healthy

A goat would be excellent!

Lawn too healthy

I think that what we need is a large number of rent-a-rabbits

Lawn too healthy

Thanks for the comments. Very interesting about sowing yellow rattle. I hadn't heard of that. I keep the grass very short because we lawned over a heavy infestation of bindweed, and keeping the grass short means that the bindweed gets cut too. I am definitely staying 100% organic. If anybody had any organic suggestions for removing or hobbling the grass I'm all ears. For the other questions - yes I'm sure; no there is no other solution. Thanks!

weed supressing membrane

Lawn too healthy

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