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Advanced Tips for Weeding and Other Applications
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Activist Weed Twister - More Efficiency and Safety
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Expert Weed Twister - Special Techniques to Improve your Skills
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Master Weed Twister - Advanced Techniques and Multi-Tasking Applications - The Teacher
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The more you use the tool, the more special techniques you will learn on your own. Here we are sharing the techniques we have learned over the years and that others have learned and shared with us.
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An Activist Weed Twister is a newer member of the WEED TWISTER family. If you are new to the WEED TWISTER experience, you may be able to advance your techniques to the next level by acquiring the skills and applications listed here. Most of the techniques at this level can be learned without instruction just by experimenting with the WEED TWISTER.
Twisting and Lifting: The first question most users have is when to stop twisting? and when to start lifting? How do I accomplish complete root removal? You will soon discover that you will see the weed begin to turn when it is loose and you will also feel the tension on the tool relax. The twisting motion loosens the soil that holds the root fibers in place. Once the root fibers are loose, the whole plant begins to turn within the coils. It's usually best to let the plant do the twist dance with your tool and make a couple of complete rotations to make sure it's ready to go. That's the best time to stop twisting and start lifting! This will also present you with a prize for your efforts when you see the entire root structure face the light of day!
Root Placement:
Where's the root? As you work with weeds, you
will learn that not
all roots are pointing in the angle where you think
they should be. Of course, in most cases, the
obvious place to start is directly vertical beneath the plant. If you place the
coil directly atop the plant and point it straight down into the soil, the
root will be directly engaged and loosened. This approach is the basic
or Vertical Attack, also known as the Dive Bomb Attack.
This technique works in 90 percent of all situations. However, a few weeds
may have found a
wayward route to get from seed to soil surface or to tap into moisture
sources. The best technique
for hard-to-find roots is
to probe the area surrounding the weed with the WEED TWISTER to
discover the direction of the root. The vertical attack works
effectively with roots that penetrate deep into the soil. In the Expert Weed
Twister level, you will learn about other approaches that work in different
situations, such as the Angular Attack and the
Torpedo.
Skin or Gloves: For more than a random attack on a weed or two, it's recommended that you wear gloves when using the WEED TWISTER. The rubber grips on the handle will protect your skin when twisting, but gloves will give you more protection and also make it easier to pull the weeds from the coil after lifting. Any type of gardening gloves will do. Also, see the Safety and Ergonomics information below.
Coil Clearing: There are several simple clearing techniques to take the weeds from the coil and dispose of them in a waste container. Tapping the coils on a hard object or ground will loosen any plug of dirt that remains in the coils. Once the plug is released, the standard technique is the Pull and Unwind technique of grasping the weeds in the coils with one hand and pulling away from the tool. With the other hand turn the handle in the counter-clockwise direction. If you have a trash container handy, you can tap the coils over the container and the debris will be disposed of in one quick move! Below you will learn about the advanced techniques of Yanking and Wanding.
Tilling, Gouging or Twisting: Sometimes it's more efficient to till a weed loose from the soil instead of twisting it. If the weed is just beginning to sprout with roots of only an inch deep or so, it's probably best to gouge the weed from the soil without twisting. If the soil is loose or moist, very little effort may be needed to simply push the coil into the soil and uproot the weed. If there are several seedlings in the area, you can slide the coil forward and backward with a stroke of about one foot and uproot all the weeds in the coil's path by the tilling process. In this sense, gouging refers to removing one weed at a time by pushing the coil into the soil without twisting. Tilling refers to sliding the coil with a forward and backward stroke of about one foot to uproot numerous weeds in its path. With experience, you will learn how easy it is to switch between twisting, tilling and gouging as the need arises. More details about tilling techniques are presented in Quick Tips.
Thorns and Cactus Plants: Weeds
have a tendency to snuggle between thorny plants and cacti. By taking
careful aim, you can tag your weed without touching the thorns
with your
hands or arms. You can also use the tool to
pick up cactus leaves that
you have trimmed or that have fallen to the ground. Using
longer models of the tool allows you to reach more deeply between or
underneath thorny plants with a greater margin of safety.
Safety and Ergonomics: The Ergonica Weed Twister is a safe and ergonomically friendly hand tool when used as intended. The long handles from 36 to 54 inches in length help to protect your back and limbs from the excessive stress normally associated with weeding. The coils are pointed and sharpened and potentially dangerous if used carelessly. Children may be intrigued by the design of this tool and may volunteer to help. If the children are old enough, be sure to guide them as they learn about gardening and how to help out with the chores of the household. Also, see the section above on Skin or Gloves.
For the most effective use and ergonomic value, the length of the tool should be matched with the height of the user. As a rule of thumb, the Weed Twister T-handle of the 36-48 inch models should be about the same level as the chest of the user when used for weed twisting. For precise tilling or working away from your path, the length may be 6 to 12 inches longer to give you a comfortable reach. The Dual Grip 54-inch model can be effectively applied for weeding and tilling when the T-handle is as high as the neck of the user. This is because the Dual Grip model allows the user to use the arm and shoulder to support the twisting motion of the lower hand.
If the tool length is too short for you, you will still be able to work effectively, but will need to stoop more and place more strain than necessary on your back muscles and bones. If the handle is higher than your neck, you can still work effectively by approaching your target plants from an angle. When working with deep roots, a longer handle allows you to twist deeply into the soil without stooping. Ergonica also offers an optional 8-inch T-Handle Kit for working with deep roots in tough soil to allow you to more comfortably twist with both hands. If you have several willing workers in your home or farm, we suggest you buy several different models based on the height of the workers and the types of applications needed. It's a good idea to warm up your arms and legs by stretching and walking for fifteen minutes prior to doing any kind of vigorous yard work.
Weighing in at less than 2 pounds, even the 48-inch Weed Twister is almost a pound lighter than most other tools of the same class. This allows you to work with pinpoint accuracy while experiencing less stress than with heavier tools. Although the 54-inch model weighs 3 pounds, the dual handles balance the weight between both hands and give you a sense of controlled power. Even at 3 pounds, this tool is comparable or lighter than other tools, such as the multi-prong tools or long-handled hoes. Careful ergonomic engineering results in more punch per pound for this amazing tool. Like a ninja weapon, you will appreciate the deft power of this tool, especially when facing a bumper crop of uninvited weeds and misplaced plants in your yard!
Below you see one of our neighbors, an Expert Weed Twister, using the 42-inch Weed Twister to pull out wild oats which grew quickly next to a cactus plant. Lydia is of average height and has recently upgraded from the original 36-inch model to the 42-inch model in order to extend her reach to weeds and debris away from her path. Click on the images for larger views.
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| The 54 inch Dual Grip Weed Twister shown at right is capable of doubling the torque power and speed by using both hands to twist and control this powerful tool. Even an average size woman can benefit from this tool especially when twisting deep into the soil or carefully tilling between closely positioned plants. Notice that Lydia who is right-handed places her right hand on the T-handle and slightly lowers her left shoulder to use the larger muscles in her arm and shoulder to support the twisting motion with her left hand. The added bar grip with knurled etching gives you a sense of control that is unmatched by other twisting tools. The added control also helps you guard your precious cultivars and crops when extending your reach away from your path. Twisting with both hands also relieves the stress on one hand alone. Increased speed is especially important in agricultural applications where every minute or second is precious! |
Dual Grip Twisting: Right hand on T-handle, Left hand on Bar Grip
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Expert Weed Twister
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The Expert Weed Twister has learned the basic Weed Twister skills set and has acquired several more advanced skills. These are techniques that may increase the efficiency of the weeding process or may apply to special circumstances not common to the ordinary weeding job.
Angular Attack: There are times when it's advantageous or necessary to use the angular attack instead of the vertical attack to approach the weed. For networked roots such as those of crab grass or ground covers, the angular attack may more effectively entangle a larger section of the root system than a vertical attack. Simply approach the soil from a slant towards an area where the roots may be clustered.
Torpedo Attack: The torpedo attack is an extreme angular attack at an angle that is almost parallel to the surface of the soil. Because of the terrain, sometimes it's difficult to get close enough to a weed for a standard vertical attack. There may be shrubs that encumber a vertical attack on a sheltered weed. The torpedo attack requires a little more thought to determine the depth at which you wish to attack the root from your location. Some weeds have very shallow roots and others have deep roots. Try to aim the torpedo towards a mid-point of the root system.
Crevice Gouging: By carefully sliding the coil point in a sideward motion along a crevice, it's possible to remove weeds in the crevice. The coil tip may reach a depth of about 1/2 to 3/4 inch into the crevice by holding the rod at an angle of about 45% from the level surface.
Pinging: To prepare for coil clearing, you may wish to remove any mud or plug of earth from the coils. This may be accomplished by bouncing the coils against the earth or a solid object such as the side of a waste basket or the handle of a heavy rake or even the surface of the ground. Because the coils are made of high quality spring steel, they will vibrate with the impact and the plug will loosen and fall to the ground. Effective pinging requires a quick snap against a solid object. If done effectively, you will feel the tool vibrate in your hand.
Thumbing: In addition to the Pull and Unwind method and the Yanking method, the Thumbing method is another way to clear the coils of weeds. This is similar to the Pull and Unwind method, except that instead of grasping the weeds with the free hand, the thumb of the free hand is placed firmly in the apex where the coils are joined. Opposite the thumb, the index finger is used to close the gap on the other side of the apex. Pulling firmly but slowly with the other hand on the handle effectively pushes the thumb against the weeds and through the opening of the coil. With a little practice, you'll find this to be a very effective method of clearing the coils.
Yanking: This is a coil clearing technique that requires a little agility and strength. If you grasp the weeds in the coil firmly with the free hand, a quick, forceful yank can efficiently remove the weeds from the coil. The more quickly you yank in a snapping motion, the less strength needs to be applied. It's speed vs. strength. The number of weeds in the coil and the type of roots involved are factors that may affect the success of the yanking effort.
Wanding: This is perhaps the most graceful method of clearing the coils and the one that requires the most agility, but the least strength. If the weed is only loosely engaged in the coil, you may clear the coil simply by swirling the coil in a clockwise, swinging motion over your waste basket The weed will automatically unwind itself from the coil by gravity and centripetal force and drop into the basket. You get two points for this one!
Collecting: You may effectively remove several
weeds and collect them together in the coil before clearing.
The number of weeds that can be collected at one time may be from
three to
five or more, depending on the size of the plant and the type of roots
involved. There are advantages and disadvantages to collecting.
The primary advantage is the efficiency of not having to clear the coil each
time a weed is removed. As more weeds are collected, above
three or four, the tines will not have enough clearance to penetrate the
soil or engage the roots. Another disadvantage is the extra effort
needed to remove a large collection of weeds from the coils. For
example, the Wanding technique described above will not work with a large
collection of weeds tightly wound into the coils. Try to collect a few weeds before clearing
to get a feel for this technique. This is one of the techniques that
borders on personal preference or even artistic interpretation, if you
will. You may develop your own style that you find most effective and
enjoyable for you. If you are working at a distance from a trash
receptacle, for example, you may prefer to collect a group of weeds prior to
disposing of them in a remote location. Knowing when various
techniques are more effective in different situations is what elevates your
level of skill to the Expert or Master Weed Twister level.
Please see Quick Tips for routine weeding applications and techniques.
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Master Weed Twister
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The Master Weed Twister is not only an advanced expert, but also a teacher of Weed Twister techniques and theory to newer activists. In addition, the Master Weed Twister is a supporter of the Master Gardener program, advocating the avoidance of toxic chemicals to remove weeds or kill insects. He or she is also knowledgeable about the names and types of weeds that are known to invade the local state or region: a Weed Wise Weed Twister. The techniques at this level are applicable to special circumstances and may require higher levels of agility than other techniques. Here we will also present several Weed Twister applications beyond the scope of removing weeds. The Master Weed Twister is skilled at performing all of the Weed Twister techniques and applications in the most appropriate circumstances and is prepared to demonstrate them to Activists and Experts, as well as to neighbors and inquisitive children.
| up other objects from the ground. Leaves and other plant matter can usually be lifted with a simple poking or hooking motion, depending on the shape and texture of the objects. With a little practice and agility, you may also be able to grasp papers and twigs from the earth for back-saving disposal. |
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| The sharpened tines make it easy to puncture and pick up aluminum cans, plastic cups, containers and other objects that litter public pathways. Having a Weed Twister enables you to volunteer for neighborhood cleanup events and accomplish more work with less effort and strain on your back! |
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Water Nozzle Support: A water nozzle with a
handle can be hooked over the "T" handle of the WEED TWISTER
to support sprinkling your garden in just about any place it's needed.
It's easy to screw the tines into the soil or grass to provide an elevated
support for your nozzle and hose.
Working on Wheels: A lot of work can be accomplished with the WEED TWISTER while sitting down! Whether on a stationary chair or wheel chair, the Master Weed Twister may remove weeds, till the soil and pick up debris while sitting on her or his throne! Whether gardening is your hobby or your principal occupation, there are times when a versatile tool like the WEED TWISTER can improve your outlook on life and even your economic survival! An Enabled Master Weed Twister is a physically impaired individual who demonstrates advanced Weed Twister skills despite having otherwise disabling impairments. Ergonica encourages all government organizations and corporate entities to employ Enabled Master Weed Twisters. Government agencies may request a free sample of the WEED TWISTER on the government page.
Walking Staff: When ambling on soft terrain or lawns, many users may instinctively use the adaptable WEED TWISTER to provide some support. If you like to hike in rugged terrain, use the tool to push aside brush that may impede your path. This is especially useful if your legs or arms are exposed and thorny or poisonous plants may encroach your path. Depending on the length of the WEED TWISTER model you use, your height, the terrain, and whether you are climbing or descending, different hand grips may be more useful. These special Walking Staff Hand Grips as well as some links to beautiful desert scenes with the WEED TWISTER Trail Buddy are described below. Also included is a picture of a Weed Twister enhanced with a golf ball as an adaptation to walk on pavement or sidewalks. With a little ingenuity, this tool can help you amble in any direction you can shake a stick at!
| Top Fist Grip is shown at right using the expanded T-Handle grip available as an optional accessory for all WEED TWISTER models. The Top Fist Grip is a comfortable grip with lots of support for most any situation. This also gives you extra support especially when descending steep paths or climbing down a hillside. The Top Fist Grip is also the basic grip used for twisting out weeds. People over 6 feet tall will most likely use this grip most of the time. |
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| Top Thumb Grip is particularly useful for climbing a slope to give you a lift with your arm. If you are under 6 feet tall, this may be more comfortable for you, especially with the longer WEED TWISTER models. The longer 42" model and the 48" model will be very handy especially when descending steep terrain because they can reach a lower part of your path ahead of you to support your descent. The longer models are also recommended for protection against aggressive animals that you may encounter in some wild areas. |
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| Shaft Fist Grip is also useful for many situations, especially when the terrain is level and extra support from the top is not necessary. Children and smaller than average people may also find this to be more comfortable, especially when using longer WEED TWISTER models. Although children may not need help when walking, it's a good idea to have protection in the hands of each child especially in wild areas. See below for more information for using your WEED TWISTER as a Trail Buddy. |
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| Shaft Pencil Grip is an alternative to the Shaft Fist Grip, especially for people with big, strong hands. This grip was actually invented by one of our WEED TWISTER fans, Richard Benda, who beautifully demonstrates the use of various grips on the Sabino Canyon trail in Tucson, Arizona. More trail scenes with the WEED TWISTER are shown below. |
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| Trail Buddy Scenes: Credit goes to Richard Benda for photographing some beautiful desert scenes in Sabino Canyon and showing how he uses the WEED TWISTER as a walking stick on the trail. This hardy hiker also took on Blackett's Ridge Trail in Tucson with the WEED TWISTER as his Trail Buddy. The scene to the right is from the selection of scenes of the Blackett's Ridge Trail in the PDF prepared by the photographer. |
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| Top Palm Grip is particularly useful for reaching up and extending your reach to clear the path of thorny brush or sharp leaves. In most cases on the trail, there is no need to harm the plant, only to push a stem or branch out of your way. You can also hook the coils around a branch to push or pull it in any direction. If you encounter poison oak or ivy, this adaptable tool could protect you and your family from harm. The standard 4-inch T-Handle is shown in this picture. When on the trail, either the 4-inch or 8-inch extended T-Handle will do quite well, although some people may prefer the extra support provided by the larger handle which is long enough for grasping with two hands at the same time. |
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| Walking on Pavement (or bricks) with the Weed Twister is easily accomplished by popping a golf ball into the coiled tines. This will give you a secure and cushioned feeling with the added benefit of a little spring steel suspension. You can easily remove the golf ball when you enter dirt paths or when you need to pull a weed in one of your neighbors' yards. The size of the golf ball also gives you a good measure of the diameter of a root that this tool can handle! Of course, if you carry your twister in your golf club bag, you may also use it when necessary to pluck your ball from any unusual destinations. And if an aggressive dog crosses your path, you're ready to guard against his bite with a quick snap on the head, as well! |
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Hole Digging: The WEED
TWISTER may efficiently loosen the soil before applying a trowel
or
hoe. The WEED TWISTER and the trowel is a natural combination:
first
twist, then trowel. An ideal solution for planting seeds and
small seedlings. (See Reforestation below).
Reforestation: How can a little tool like the WEED TWISTER help in the reforestation of our depleted forests? By helping to efficiently make thousands of little holes for planting new tree seeds and seedlings! In the process of making holes, this tool also tills and aerates the surrounding soil. Its light weight also makes the WEED TWISTER easier to carry up steep mountain slopes than shovels and picks. (Suggested by Debbie Kruger February, 2000.)
Transplanting - Lawn Repair: Closer to home, your WEED TWISTER can help you transplant patches of grass from one area to another or remove and transport a misplaced plant to a cultivating pot, planter or designated area of your garden. As you remove misplaced herbs with this tool, such as purslane or dandelions, for example, you can also replant these herbs in preferable locations where they can more adequately be nurtured and harvested. In one operation, you can pluck out the misplaced herb from one spot and poke it into a more appropriate location with the same tool. If you have bare patches of soil in your lawn, use your WEED TWISTER to pluck out a patch of grass from edges or corners of your lawn where it won't be missed and replant the grass by simply twisting the tool with the plug of grass and dirt in the coils into the desired bare spot. You can also use this tool to cultivate bare lawn patches and push grass stems and roots at the edges towards the bare soil. If you have a lot of bare patches, purchase a couple of square feet of sod and cut the sod into two-inch squares to pluck and plug where needed. Use your Weed Twister to dig a hole deep enough for the full depth of the sod plug. Overseeding bare patches will be more effective with careful cultivation, mulching and fertilizing with the help of this precise tool. See the Weed Twister vs. Crabgrass page for more details. You have a lawn weeder and lawn repair helper and plugging device in one multitasking tool!
Seedling and Sapling Removal: Although the WEED TWISTER can be used effectively to remove small seedlings or saplings, it is not designed to remove larger plants with roots more than two inches in diameter. The WEED TWISTER has been successful in removing some fairly large Tree of Heaven saplings, for example, as tall as 4-5 feet. When working with large plants, it may be helpful to loosen the soil surrounding the plant by moistening the soil and tilling or probing with the WEED TWISTER prior to attempting to remove the plant. The Extended 8-inch T-Handle will be especially helpful in penetrating tough soil and twisting out larger root systems with this tool.
Treasure Hunting: The efficiency of the twisting coils in penetrating the soil may lend itself to several applications, such as treasure hunting or searching for pipes or other solid objects beneath the soil. You may twist the coils to penetrate over a foot or two deep to locate a solid object or hook onto whatever fibrous objects may be caught in the coils. This will save a great deal of effort compared with pick and shovel labor. Is the Weed Twister a natural divining rod? Let us know what you discover with your twister?
Need protection against big cats, aggressive dogs,
snakes? Need a Trail Buddy™ to
take along?
Don't leave camp without it! Some people have asked if the WEED TWISTER can serve as
protection against mountain lions and other aggressive animals, such as
dogs, wolves, bob cats or even snakes and large rodents. Even though it was designed for
removing weeds, if you're hiking in a wild area,
the WEED TWISTER can also serve as a great
walking stick,
as described above, and also help to clear brush from your path as well as
keep predatory critters at a safe distance from you. Even a small
critter like a Fire Ant can cause a big bite!
Weed Twister = Fire Ant Evictor to
the rescue!
| Depending on the situation, you may strike the aggressor or poke the sharp end of the tool into the face or other part of the animal. If the animal is trying to bite you or someone in your party, you can jab the coils into the mouth of the animal to hinder its bite. It's easy to take a big swing with the WEED TWISTER and swat an animal on the torso or on top of the head. For larger animals, such as bears, for example, if you don't have a fire arm in your grasp, this tool may at least give you a fighting chance to deter his advance. When facing a bear, you may have better odds with the 54-inch Dual Grip model in your hands so that you can stay beyond the reach of his long and powerful arms. Most experts recommend that you do not turn your back on an advancing bear or mountain lion. f you can't get around a snake, you can position the coils over the head of the snake to pin him to the ground. |
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| Preparation: For people of average height, we recommend the 42-inch Ergonomic Weed Twister for a handy walking stick and wild critter defense weapon, unless you're in bear country where you may need a longer 48-inch or 54-inch stick. For half-pint kids, the 36-inch model will keep them from getting weary on the trail and make them feel more confident, as well. Before you enter wild trails, we suggest you practice your defensive moves with the Weed Twister so that you can quickly protect yourself if caught by surprise. This practice should include both poking and swatting from various angles. To the right, we see Suzanne Wakefield practicing her defense moves with the 54-inch Weed Twister against a stack of hay. |
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| To make your practice more realistic, use an old stuffed animal or a large noxious weed as your target. You finally found a good use for those old teddies taking space in your attic! Please remember this is only for self defense, and not for aggressive assaults on animals in the wild or pets in the neighborhood. On the right we see Suzanne's son AJ, age 11, showing his stuff as he practices his defense moves. The 54-inch Weed Twister with the Dual Grip gives an average size 10-11-year-old kid a fighting chance against wild animals, aggressive dogs and big cats. If you don't have a stack of hay handy for practicing, you can hang a discarded tire on a tree and fill it with cardboard, old stuffed animals or other materials to make a practice target. |
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| Horseback Riding: Here we see Monica, age 13, AJ's
sister, who loves to ride horses. While riding on the trail,
snakes and other critters can threaten the horses and riders and
possibly cause accidents or other problems. The kids and mom
can feel much safer knowing that they have a defense weapons that
can provide 36 to 54 inches of steel as a barrier between them and an aggressive
animal.
Biking: If you ride wild trails with your bike, you can fasten the tool to your bike frame or your back pack with a bungee chord. Since it only weights about one pound, depending on which model you choose, it won't present a burden. Of course, if a mountain lion jumps on your back without warning, as happened recently in California (2007), the only thing you can do is hope that someone else in your party grabs your WEED TWISTER and comes to your rescue! |
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Cleaning up: Some
people bring trash bags with them as good citizens to help clean up litter
from public parks and mountain trails. The WEED TWISTER can
also help you
pick up trash and debris
and place it in a bag or can. While camping or at home, the WEED TWISTER can also serve as a
temporary tie pole for your dog or your tent. Just twist
the tool into the soil about 6-12 inches, depending on how much support is
needed, and you can tie a rope to it to secure your pet, tent or other
objects. Your pets may also be prey for wild animals, so be sure to
bring your Trail Buddy tool to protect yourself, your children, your pets, and other
people in your party.
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rows and furrows. The newest 54-inch model featuring an added bar grip, provides more power and control than models without the bar grip. This is especially important to crops like celery, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, carrots and strawberries, for example. Some nursery crops also require precise weeding. In agriculture, the WEED TWISTER has been shown to effectively remove such weeds as little mallow, goosefoot, yellow nutsedge, purslane, nightshades and lambsquarters. In nurseries, the WEED TWISTER can also be applied to most containers of the 5 gallon size or larger. For more information please see the White Paper On the Weed Twister and Other Alternatives to Precise Hand Weeding in Agricultural Applications. |
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Hanging and Removing Holiday Lights: Need a long pole with a hook to help you hang or remove holiday lights? The Weed Twister can extend your reach by 3-4 feet depending on the model you choose. Or you can piggyback two Weed Twisters for a longer reach up to 7 feet.
| The photo to the right shows how to insert the shaft of one Weed Twister into the coil of the other. Adjustable clamps will secure the connection by wrapping around both shafts. The smart way to hang lights on your house is to use big hooks and place your hooks in such a way that they can be used again each year. If you have eaves that drop about 8-10 feet above the ground, use the lowest level possible to attach your hooks. Once your hooks are in place, you may be able to avoid using the ladder by using your Weed Twister or another type of pole, such as the poles designed to reach high light bulbs and unscrew them. For safety, be sure everything is in place before connecting the lights to the power source. Be careful to disconnect the power source before handling the lights or electric power chords with your hands or any tool. After the holiday season, use your Weed Twister to remove the lights, as well. |
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| If you hung the wires correctly, you should be able to remove them simply by lifting them off the hooks with your Weed Twister! Next year, no ladder! Simply use the same hooks again and your Weed Twister! For a more conventional approach to planning and hanging holiday lights, see the HomeTips.com website. Any type of wire, cable, flexible tube, string or rope can be lifted and guided into hooks or over objects with ease with the Weed Twister. Click on the photos for enlarged images of these photos. See below for examples of other objects and plants that can be moved and manipulated by the extended Weed Twister. |
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High-Reach Plant Grooming with the Extended Weed Twister: With one or two Weed Twisters piggybacked as shown above, you can also reach wayward branches of tall vines, bougainvilleas, rose trees or other plants to control their shape or guide them through a trellis. This is also a great way to reach, hook and remove tall air potato vines, kudzu weeds and Spanish moss in Florida, Alabama and other Southern States.
| This bougainvillea branch stretches about 12 feet above the ground. The extended Weed Twister hooks around the branch and guides the branch to another direction without damaging the branch. Because of the large thorns on this plant, one branch will simply hook into a thorn of another branch by guiding the branch in the right direction. Bougainvillea branches are very flexible, but they can be broken if bent too tightly. Guiding branches in preferred directions produces beautiful arrays without cutting or retarding growth. |
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| A very fast growing rose tree, like the one on the right, stretches towards the sun in this scene and is guided back to a trellis by the extended Weed Twister. If you need to trim tall or high branches, you can use this tool to grab the end of the branch and bring it into reach of pruning tools. There are also pruners with extended poles that can be used along with the Weed Twister. Lower branches can also be manipulated by a single, unextended Weed Twister in order to protect your fingers from the thorns. The coils can also be twisted when wrapped around a branch in order to guide the end of the branch in a preferred direction. |
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| Guiding a mist-spraying tube around a branch of a jacaranda tree can be done safely from the ground with the extended Weed Twister. If you enjoy having refreshing water sprays from overhead branches and other objects, the Weed Twister can help you reach up to 12 feet including your own height. In all these examples, the primary objective of using the Weed Twister is to reduce the risk and effort of using a ladder, as well as having the facility to accomplish these tasks in places where ladders cannot safely be supported. Save time, reduce risks, and get the job done well, with the Weed Twister! |
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Snow Probe or Emergency Rubble Probe and Hole Digger: Sometimes you need to look for something under snow, mud or rubble and need a quick and easy way to do it. In an emergency, you may need to look for objects buried under snow or mud. The Weed Twister is an efficient and quick way to probe snow, mud or debris to a depth of up to 4 feet depending on the model you select. You can also use this tool to look for pipes, roots, gold nuggets or other hard objects buried under mud, sand or soil. Instead of using a shovel to dig a large hole, which takes a lot of effort and time, you may be able to find what you're looking for very quickly by twisting this tool in the snow, sand or mud. After a fire, hurricane or tornado, you may need to sift through piles of rubble to find missing objects of value. The Weed Twister enables you to penetrate, lift and move hot or cold material that may be hazardous to your skin. This tool is also less damaging to surrounding objects since it only penetrates a small area by twisting in the exact area you wish to probe. Make this tool a part of your Emergency Survival Kit! For protection, keep a Weed Twister in the trunk of your car at all times, just in case!
Garden Mole Control - Removal - Killing: Use your Weed Twister to damage the holes of moles. Moles will not return to damaged holes. Just poke a few holes into the direction of the hole below the visible dirt mound. Eventually, your menacing mole will look for greener pastures. Mole treatment diligence and a little geometry will be the key to mole control in your garden. Remember that moles do not directly damage or consume plants or roots. Moles are not rodents or rats. Their main prey are earthworms, grubs and bugs. Moles can dig surface tunnels at approximately 18 feet/hour. They can eat some roots, bulbs, and other plant material, but generally the greatest problem caused by moles is their burrowing, which dislodges plants and dries out their roots. In lawn areas, the mounds and ridges resulting from their burrowing are unsightly and disfiguring. If you happen to stab a mole in the process of digging for tunnels, consider this fate in comparison with being attacked by a cat. If you were a mole, which fate would you prefer: A quick stab with a metal point? Or a tortuous engagement with a predatory cat? Don't forget to reward your cat if she presents you with a dead mole on your doorstep! Visit the Ohio State University website, Pesticide.org or UC Davis Integrated Pest Management for more tips about mole poisons, trapping and related advice. Michigan State University offers instructions on how to use the direct killing or hunting technique for certain types of moles. GardenOrganic also suggests some nontoxic methods for controlling moles. They also claim that the dirt mounds deposited by moles make excellent potting soil! You may also find other permaculture mole control solutions (nothing is wasted) through your favorite search engine. To force a mole out of its hole, you may try using a yard blower or even a long drain snake or drain auger. The longer the cable, better. The yard blower could also help you find the other end of a tunnel. Using baby powder or some other fine powder or flour, you can blow it into one hole and see if it exits another hole. If you decide to use a mole trap, as recommended by most experts, you can also use your Weed Twister to find and identify the active mole tunnels for your traps. And use your Weed Twister to dig the holes in which to place your mole traps. Hole digging with the Weed Twister is more precise than shovels or trowels and allows you to find the mole tunnels as deep as 12-18 inches or more, without damaging an excessive amount of lawn or disturbing more soil than necessary. To till or to kill? That is the question! Ideally, minimum trauma to the poor mole, and to your lawn, is the way to go! ... Have a Fire Ant problem?
Gravesite Care and Maintenance: Weeding and cleaning around the cemetery is easy with your Weed Twister in one hand and a bunch of flowers in the other as you visit your departed loved ones. Check with the cemetery management about their use of herbicides. Some cemeteries have environmentally friendly policies and may allow you to manually control weeds to avoid the use of toxic chemicals. Some toxic chemicals may cause harm to markers and tombstones. You may also feel sensitive to the use of harsh herbicides over the remains of your loved ones. If you wish to leave your twister by the gravesite for convenience, or to protect your loved ones in your absence, be sure the management or maintenance people won't automatically remove it. Engrave your name on the tool or stick an identifying label on it in case someone moves it or borrows it while you're away. Sharing tools should be encouraged if you're so inclined. More graveyard maintenance suggestions. Interested in a Green Cemetery? For a temporary gravesite marker, twist the tool 6-8 inches into the soil for firm support. Whether for a relative or dear animal pet, you can display a sign and hang flowers or wreaths on the twister. For a larger display, use two 48 or 54 inch Weed Twisters, one on each side of your display. You can also cross two Weed Twisters in an "X" formation, with a tie at the crossing, for more structural support. An even stronger mini-teepee structure or small pyramid can be erected with 3 or 4 Weed Twisters. Adorn and protect the remains of your loved ones with this handy tool.
If you don't own a WEED TWISTER, see the WEED TWISTER page for more information.
Pricing, Models and Discount Offers!
Direct link to this page: www.weedtwister.com/advanced.htm
| Special credits are acknowledged for original photography and digital image preparation to Richard Benda at richbendaphotography.com and digitalphotoimagery.com for the images on this page and several other pages. |
