At Stangl’s Enviro Lawn Care, we’ve long understood that what many call “weeds” are not just nuisances but vital components of our environment. Our journey into regenerative lawn care has taught us to look beyond the green carpet of grass and see the soil as a living, breathing ecosystem. Here’s my take on the latest innovations in weed control technology and how we integrate them into our holistic approach.
The Directed Energy Revolution
Recently, I’ve been fascinated by the emergence of Directed Energy (DE) technology for weed control, pioneered by Global Neighbor Inc. in Ohio. This technique uses a combination of light wavelengths to kill weed seeds without chemicals, a concept that aligns with our aim to reduce environmental impact. However, as intriguing as this technology is, we must not fall into the trap of seeing it as a silver bullet.
Understanding Our Soil’s Story
Weeds like crabgrass and dandelions have always been more than just targets for eradication in our fields/lawns. These plants tell us a story about our soil’s health. Crabgrass, with its extensive root system, holds soil together in areas where it’s loose, signaling a need for better soil structure or more organic matter. Dandelions indicate calcium deficiencies, pushing us to look deeper into soil amendments.
The Challenge of Dependency
While DE technology promises a future with fewer chemical inputs, we must be cautious. Just like with herbicides, where overuse led to resistance, relying too heavily on one method might blind us to the systemic issues in our fields. Weeds are symptoms, not just problems to be solved with technology. Our approach at Stangl’s has always been to understand these symptoms and address their causes—enhancing soil biology, structure, and organic matter content.
Our Approach to Integration
Here at Stangl’s, we see DE as a piece of a larger puzzle. It’s fantastic for controlling weed seeds at harvest, reducing the future weed load. But we don’t stop there. We complement this technology with:
- Regenerative Practices: Using Nature’s Brew, our sustainable fertilizer, we foster soil health, encouraging a biodiverse lawn ecosystem where weeds are less dominant.
- Soil Testing: Regular assessments help us tailor our approach, ensuring we’re not just treating the symptoms but nurturing the soil’s natural resilience.
- Biodiversity: By maintaining diverse plant life, even if traditionally seen as weeds, we support pollinators, improve soil health, and create a more resilient lawn.
The Long Game
The real challenge is to not get lost in the simplicity of technological solutions but to play the long game of ecosystem management. In seven years, if we’ve only used DE, what might our fields look like? Perhaps a landscape where only low-lying, resilient weeds remain, and our cash crops struggle without the ecological support that a diverse plant community provides.
Precision and Potential of DE Technology
The discussion around Directed Energy (DE) technology has brought to light some fascinating insights, particularly from Keith Thompson and Loran Steinlage. One critical aspect is the precision required when using DE:
- Protecting Beneficial Organisms: Keith’s concern about the impact on seed bacteria reminds us that while we aim to control weeds, we must also protect the beneficial life forms that contribute to plant health. We’re intrigued by Dr. James White’s work on how bacteria can influence root growth, suggesting that our approach with DE must be nuanced to not only avoid damaging crops but also to potentially enhance them.
- Stimulation vs. Termination: Loran Steinlage’s observations about DE’s dual effects are particularly intriguing. At lower intensities, DE might “excite” seeds, leading to faster germination and enhanced root growth. This opens up a discussion on how we can leverage DE not just for weed management but for boosting our cash crops’ vigor and resilience. However, at higher levels, it effectively terminates growth by targeting the plant’s growing point.
The Future of DE in Agriculture
- Adjustable Applications: The possibility of using DE in different configurations — from seed stimulation to the eradication of live plants — suggests a versatile future for this technology. The challenge, as Loran notes, is scaling these applications for practical use across vast fields, which is an engineering and funding challenge worth pursuing.
- Research and Education: We’re committed to further research and education on how DE can be applied in ways that align with regenerative principles. Understanding the exact mechanisms by which DE interacts with plant biology will be key to maximizing benefits while minimizing risks.
Conclusion
At Stangl’s Enviro Lawn Care, we’re committed to a vision where technology and nature work hand in hand. DE technology is a tool, not a solution in isolation. We invite you to join us in this journey towards regenerative practices, where every weed, every blade of grass, and every microbe in the soil plays its part in the ecological symphony. Let’s not just manage our lawns and fields but regenerate them, ensuring they thrive for generations to come.
For more insights into regenerative lawn care, visit us at stangls.com and explore how we’re making a difference, one green space at a time.