The excellent mowing strategy will make your lawn look more beautiful and neater, but if you want something special, you need to pay attention to details.
Yes, I am talking about using your cordless weed eater to do the final edging.
What the Edging the Lawn Actually Is
Well, if you have just a small yard, the simple trimmer will be the only tool you need. However, for huge lawns, you will need to purchase more equipment. That means that you have to buy something serious such as a riding lawn mower or walk behind string trimmer for mowing, but you still need a weed eater for more delicate tasks.
To get a well-groomed yard, it is essential to edge your sidewalk. I will give you a few tips you should consider if you plan to transform your lawn to an extraordinary place.
Edge Your Lawn Like a Pro
1. Start with mowing
You should always begin with mowing your lawn. The lawnmower you usually use will cut the bulk of grass and give you a clear view of the height of the grass you want for your yard.
When you finish the main part of the job, it is time for your trimmer. This little machine is an irreplaceable solution for spots under shrubs, trees, your fence, and walls of your house.
2. Edge as often as possible
The more often you edge your yard, the faster you will finish the job. Don’t spend the time doing the same task over and over again because you let the grass grow too much.
3. Choose the right conditions for edging
Never start edging while your grass is wet. In those conditions, you can expect the grass to stick to the string, and its ability to cut well will be decreased.
4. Protect yourself
First thing you need to do before starting edging is to purchase and wear safety glasses. You need your eyes protected since the edger spins the blade fast and can throw out the stones and dirt remotely.
5. Mark out the exact path and follow it
Decide what you want to do with edging in advance. If you edge your lawn for the first time, the best thing to do is to mark out a path. Use your garden hose or a simple rope, and laid it where you plan to make your edging cuts. This part is not necessary if you have already had an edge like the sidewalks or the wall.
Don’t forget to walk on the hard surface and avoid stepping through the grass while edging along walkways or driveways. Just walk forward and take care to control the path of your unit firmly. By going slowly and watching the path carefully, you will keep the full control of the situation.
6. Control your unit
Turn the tool on, give it enough power, and try to hold it firmly while walking. The secret of a perfect edging is in moving your body while keeping your arms steady during the work. That way, your cut on the grass will be as straight as you like.
Always keep the weed eater in the same position with the guard facing up as much as possible all the time. Hold one hand on the handle while the other one is on the trigger throttle.
Rotate the string trimmer head the way which let the string spin perpendicular to the surface. In general, the string should be aligned at a 90-angle to the edge of the grass. If you catch the right angle, you will get a narrower cut area, which will help you shape the sides as you wish.
7. Move in the right direction
Most units you can find on the market spin string clockwise. That means that you need to move from the left side to the right while edging. As a result, your unit will eject cut grass back onto the lawn and away from walkways.
Also, you should try to walk on the sidewalk which will help you follow the edge as a guide and keep a steady pace.
8. Align the unit next to the hard surface
Always try to align your unit with the edge of the grass and adjust it depending on how deep you want to edge. Move the weed eater back and forth to get a desirable, elegantly clean cut.
If you do edging for the first time this season, you should be prepared for a bit more clean up than usual. Additional work will become more comfortable with the progress of the season.
9. Adjust the depth of the cut
Always adjust the depth of the cut you like the most before start edging your lawn. The rule is to cut down at least 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) past the edge of the surface you are edging.
10. Remove cut grass if necessary
Keep in mind that you need to remove some cut turf from time to time to ensure having clean lines. After removing debris, step back a bit and take a look at the line. It is more comfortable making corrections during work instead of making considerable changes after you have almost completed the edging.
11. Create the ring around every tree
Creating the tree ring around the trunk looks very lovely and can make your yard even more eye-catching. An edge of the ring should be at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) away from the tree trunk.
The best way is to dig out the grass inside the ring, fill it with white gravel or mulch for example, and cut grass along the line. Use the same model when you decide to make a ring around parts with planted flowers, a playground for your children, or sitting area.
Conclusion
All in all, you don’t need to be an expert to edge your lawn by using the weed eater. These units are comfortable to operate, and the only concern you will have is to pick out the right model which corresponds to both the weeds you need to get rid of and the size of your yard.
Just try to be adequately protected and well-equipped to handle your little machine. Don’t give up if the edges you make for the first time are not entirely perfect. Believe me; every subsequent attempt will be more successful. Enjoy!
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