Hi....I have a new property with an irrigation ditch and I need to clean out the weeds and grass that have accumulated since last year.. If I burn the grass with a flamer, will it kill the grass and weeds....any tips ?

You do realize that as it's an irrigation ditch everything you kill will only be replaced by other vegetation? And maybe not the stuff you want growing there? I would just cut it down once a year (or more if you want to spend the time) but before anything goes to seed of course - and live with the 'devil you know'

True....thank you....trying to get ahead of that "devil"

I assume its a dirt ditch or you wouldn't be asking. Don't clean it out completely. The roots of the plants are keeping the ditch from becoming a canyon. Use your weed whacker once in awhile to keep the water flowing but that's it.

Yes, flaming can kill weeds- roots and all. Just 'wither' the foliage then move on to the next weed- don't burn all the leaf off.

Flame engineering said:
How does flame weeding work?
https://flameengineering.com/p...

I think the priority of cleaning out the ditch is just that...
It needs to have the water flowing well, and if it's full of debris- dead weeds or live ones-- it won't function as intended.

By burning the ditch, perhaps the water flow is restored- and some live weeds are mitigated. I'm sure a string trimmer and rake will do it as well.

Thanks for all the responses. There seems to be agreement on using the weed-eater....We've done that today and will keep it trim until the water starts to flow in the coming weeks. Once we have water, it is more problematic, but we watch it carefully.
We are tempted to give the weed-flamer a try also.
Many, many thanks for confirming our directions !

Be sure that the weeds are not close to any structures or plants you want. Even dry weeds only a foot tall will produce a flame 3 or 4 feet tall which is 2,000 degrees and can scar a nicer shrub. Also use the lawnmower to cut the yard grass next to the ditch so the flames don't spread.

I have a neighbor who tried to make his job easier by torching an overgrown flowerbed next to his house. The dried bushes were 3 feet tall so the flames went up about six feet more and singed his window sill and damaged the fiberglass window screen. He did not have a backup garden hose to assist with problems so he had a horribly disfigured spot on his wall about ten feet long. The fire department is near so they were able to get there in a few minutes and overhaul the burned siding to ensure all the fire was out.

I use a flamer on no wind days, short grass, and with a hose near me.

National Gardening Association has an article about using flamers:
https://garden.org/learn/artic....

Once again.....I get super valuable information from members at this forum.
Thanks SOOOO much !
I don't understand the acorn system, but apparently I have none to give.... : (

@Lucy68 has it right, the roots keep the ditch banks strong and prevent erosion. Just keep it trimmed.

And if your ditch is part of a ditch association check with them before taking water.

Western Ohio here. In these parts, folks burn ditches to get rid of the top growth that fills up your ditch. The flame is not around long enough to kill the roots. It's usually done in late fall, after the corn & soybeans are off.

Acorns are for adding pictures and accurate descriptions in the plant database and such, keep any you have gotten to add the pretty little icons in the top right screen, chuckl.