Day 28: Get Torched
Today is Day 28 of #mybuffetyear. If you're an avid gardener or look after your landscaping then you know that maintenance seems to be a never-ending and tedious task. From weeding to pruning, there's always something that needs to be done. But what if there was a tool that could make your gardening or landscaping tasks a lot easier and more efficient? Enter the weed torch – a must-have tool for any gardener/landscaper looking to simplify their maintenance routine. Today my dad brought his weed torch over and showed me how to use it.
My wife and I spent many hours pulling weeds last summer. I will admit I didn’t stay on top of it and even chose to ignore it at points and it was such an eye-sore. We decided to put river rock around the pool so we could maintain the weeds better with a weed torch. We used to have mulch around the pool area, but the dog and heavy rain would throw the mulch onto the cement around the pool. The mulch was also a pain in the ass when blowing leaves in the fall.
I think my dad was having a good time using the weed torch. It’s a $60 attachment that he bought from Amazon that goes on a propane tank. The circumference of the torch is much bigger and more powerful than I expected. It is also a little intimidating to light because you have to turn the gas on and stick your hand close to the torch to create a spark with the igniter. He asked me if I wanted to give it a try. Since I’m all about “Buffet Year” I said yes. I will admit I was a little intimidated. Okay, I was scared. I didn’t want to burn myself or start a fire. I had some dead leaves close to the house that did catch on fire that I had to quickly stomp out.
The weed torch was super slick. My dad left it behind for me to use. I need to get out there and try it in the garden. I will admit it’s still a little intimidating because I only used it once. The biggest thing is just getting it lit. Once it is lit it’s no problem. Pro tip: make sure you have some scrap wood that you prop up next to the house so you don’t melt your siding. Also, make sure you don’t drag the hose that connects to the propane tank because you don’t want it to melt. I would also wear closed-toed shoes, and make sure kids and pets are away because you don’t want them to step on the hot rocks. Lastly, be careful of the torch tip because it is going to be really hot when you are finished. You just want to make sure someone doesn’t bump it and you don’t want to put it next to something that will start a fire.
