Advanced Tips for Weeding and Other Applications
Using the Ergonica Weed Twister - Your Multitasking Helper

WEED TWISTER Academy
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The Expert Weed Twister User is a one who 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.

1. 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. 

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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!

8. 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.
   

See also

Please see Quick Tips for routine weeding applications and techniques.

We think you will agree that the WEED TWISTER is an Essential Tool for every home, garden and farm!  Especially for busy people with little time to spare!  The WEED TWISTER is your Multitasking Helper:  If you can envision it, you can do it!  Aim high and probe deep!  Si se puede! (You can do it!)

If you don't own a WEED TWISTER, see the WEED TWISTER page for more information. 

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