Spring is approaching and with it comes the weeds. We all know they’re a pain, there’s no denying it. They ruin your presentation standards, they make it harder to keep your lawns healthy, and they either result in hard work, hand pulling, or exposure to hazardous chemicals. And what do you do when it just keeps raining?
There’s another choice – Satusteam™ by Weedtechnics.
Use cases of Satusteam™
In recent years, there has been an increasing concern over the use of chemicals for weed control. Studies have shown that the repeated application of these chemicals can have harmful effects on both people and the environment. As a result, there is a growing movement towards ‘organic’ alternatives that are less toxic and more sustainable.
Jeremy Winer MD of Weedtechnics explains their solution: “Satusteam™ is highly effective on all soft leaved and stemmed vegetation. Our unique methodology destroys this vegetation quickly and efficiently, and over time reduces weed management costs by controlling the seed bank. It’s also a very effective tool for outdoor sanitisation and cleaning of landscape assets, removing moss and giving stone and wood surfaces a fresh look.
“That’s why Weedtechnics customers see a quick return on investment and that the benefits of reducing health and environmental hazards delivers them triple bottom line returns.”
Common misconceptions
Jeremy discusses some common misconceptions and mistakes: “So the biggest misconception we see when it comes to Satusteam™ is that it is slow and needs many applications in a season.
“When you get to the truth of the matter you realise that with each application the process is quicker, there’s fewer weeds, fewer species, the persistent weeds are weaker and the seed bank is being depleted, so costs drop and presentation improves.
“The most common mistake we see people make when it comes to thermal weed control is thinking it’s a process that only needs to be done when the weeds are established.
“The reason people make this mistake is because for chemicals to be applied efficiently the weeds need a lot of leaf surface, but what we are doing instead, with Satuteam™, is breaking the weed to seed cycle by treating it earlier in the plant’s life. This is quicker, more efficient and results in improved presentation.”
Another misconception is that steam destroys the soil biology
“Well to be frank, it’s all a matter of how much steam and for how long and what temperature. Satusteam™ is delivered at a rate of coverage of weeds in gardens and natural areas that would spread 10 litres over 2 – 6 sq.m a minute. The method is to get penetration into the growth point in the crown of the weeds, not to cook the roots and damage the rhizosphere where all the beneficial organisms are. The process only leaves water and decaying vegetation in the humus layer, which is then consumed by the soil organisms. Studies have shown a spike in microorganism activity after treatment,” said Jeremy.
“The current paradigm we’re taught as gardeners is that weed control is about spraying chemicals.
“However, that’s the wrong way of thinking about it. What we need to be doing instead is managing vegetation to build soil fertility, improve plant health and soil organism biodiversity. This is effectively how we as landscape stewarts can sequester carbon in the soil.”
The team at Weedtechnics understand the unique challenges that municipalities and contractors face when it comes to weed management. Complaints about spraying chemicals in public spaces are costly and time consuming to respond to, and increasing WHS issues around the use of herbicides and manual labour have tangible costs that can be mitigated.
Clients, ratepayers and residents also expect high standards of presentation and want you to be addressing your impacts on climate change.
The Satusteam™ range and the methodologies of how they are used are designed to help you move beyond those problems and achieve your desired outcomes. From consultation and training to product supply and application, Weedtechnics assist municipalities and contractors succeed in their non-chemical weed management programs.
The Green Ninja Stealth and Council Trailer
Here’s two models from the range.
The Green Ninja Stealth is the perfect machine for the landscape contractor that wants a multi-purpose tool to add to their equipment and create new income streams. The Green Ninja Stealth is our smallest and quietest Satusteam™ machine, making it the perfect unit for residential areas.
Keeping your communities safe and maintaining presentation standards is a tough job, but the Weedtechnics Council Trailer has all you need to get the job done. This heavy-duty rig is designed to give your team productivity with maximum efficiency and efficacy. It is the complete, ready-to-go turnkey package.
The Weedtechnics Council Trailer comes with everything you need to get started, including the Versitech 60 Cover Head (VCH 60), Versitech Open Head, pressure cleaning nozzles, up to 90m hose, and a cleaning lance. Plus, the remote auto-rewind hose reel is a game changer in efficiency. More steaming, less winding, so easy.
Testimonial
If you missed the Landscape Contractor Magazine test drive, look it up. This is what Jamie Gray had to say: “This is going to be an absolute standout for councils and contractors that need chemical-free weeding and cleaning. I’m loving it.”
Imagine
Just imagine a system where your weed management is improving your presentation standards and your soil health, without risk of chemical exposure, in a way where the costs reduce over time. Then you’ll know that you will have the ongoing enjoyment of having turned an ecologically and health hazardous task into a seriously productive, safe and satisfying process.
If any of this resonates with you, contact Weedtechnics to start the conversation.