Groundskeeping Journal Issue 5 2021 | Page 53

WEED CONTROL
A representative of Dublin City Council was asked why the council made this decision .
“ Action 9 of The Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan 2015-2020 states the Council should : ‘ Prepare and implement a pesticide reduction strategy within Dublin City Council . The use of herbicides and pesticides by Dublin City Council will be examined , minimizing , and where possible , eliminating their use . This will require a clear and wellthought-out series of actions , which does not entail an overnight switch to a new regime , but rather a structured step-by-step approach . However , as part of the Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan 2015-2020 , Dublin City Council will develop a transparent strategy for minimizing pesticide use , which will be an exemplar for other organizations and authorities within the City ’. As part of this minimisation programme , Dublin City Council sought tenders for alternatives methods for the control of weeds other than the use of glyphosate in line with Dublin City Council Biodiversity Plan .”
The method behind Foamstream is the longer a plant is kept in the kill zone ( temperatures above 57˚C ) the better . By providing a layer of foam to the water , its acts as an insulator and holds the heat from the water in the kill zone for long enough to penetrate the leaf ’ s waxy outer layer , and travel down the stem and into the roots . This severely damages the plant , either killing it or causing it to die back . The main benefits to using this kind of treatment are used in all weathers , on any surface , all-year-round . It delivers instantly visible results and is herbicide free .
“ Foamstream is a great alternative to traditional methods . It has immediate effects on roadside verge weeds and uses organic means to do so .” Says Dineka Maguire , Greentown ’ s Dublin Divisional Manager . The weeds overtime then decompose naturally leaving streets weed-free . The public have responded positively to this service and are delighted to see an alternative to herbicide-based methods . Members of the public are at first curious as to how the machine works , however , once we engage with them , they are delighted we are Foamstreaming their streets .”
More information can be obtained by calling
Weedingtech on + 44 ( 0 ) 2039090050 info @ weedingtech . com www . weedingtech . com
GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | April / May 2021 53