I feel like such an idiot that I never know exactly what is the “best” way to use a string trimmer to edge my lawn.
I know pros have different equipment and do it all the time, but I see them just walk in one direction and the job is done. When I edge my lawn, it often seems I need to do each section in 2 directions, changing the angle of the head as I change directions. And sometimes I convince myself it is better to go from the grass side, other times from the concrete side.
So what is the answer, folks? Is there one best way to use a string trimmer in terms of angle of the spinning part and moving to your right or left (assuming a right handed user)? For purposes of this response, assume just a grass lawn that comes right up to a concrete sidewalk.
And I’m not anal about mimicking a golf course. Just every few mows, I pull out the trimmer and do along the walks/fences/etc.
Use what ever works on your grass and weeds. I usually take at least two passes until I get tired of doing it, then one pass, then I wave it at the rest of the untrimmed grass and decide it’s time to go in.
“Best” is too subjective IMO. As for edging, though many are fond of using the trimmer head vertically to obtain straight vertical edging. Yeah, it looks good, but only briefly since it seems nature abhors straight lines, and that straight line becomes unkempt and shaggy looking within just a couple of days.
I use a visual trick by edging my lawn at about a 45 degree angle or so. This provides for keeping the edge of the grass from shagging over the driveway/sidewalk, and that fact that it’s angled back toward the lawn hides the uneven re-growth much better than a straight vertical trim. “Lasts” many days longer, visually speaking.
I have a “brush tool” attachment that’s basically a miniature lawn mower blade that I use for when the weeds get a little too thick for the string trimmer.
Yeah - that is sorta my impression. It seems the grass grows out t just about every possible angle, such that any single pass is not going to get all of it.
I sorta thought I should do it more often, and just do a half-assed job each time, figuring what I missed one time, I’d get the next.
That’s sorta what I try to do. But trying to get that angle seems to require - at the least - that I pass it in one direction, and then pull it back to catch what I missed.
Another factor - my wife and I kinda disagree as to our preferred landscaping. Me, I’ll trim the hell out of the edging - or a bush, or whatever - figuring it’ll look like hell at first, but then there will be a period that it looks OK, and overall, it will take a longer time before I need to do it again. Left to myself, I’d dig up a healthy spade edge along the sidewalks…
During the uncomfortable hot & humid days of summer that that pretty much nails me as well. To that end, I try to get the most “mileage” from my mowing/trimming to the point that I aim for the appearance of the lawn looking more preened over than it actually is.
Another “tip” I’ve discovered: If due to time, weather, ( or just occasional laziness ) constraints you just want to mow only the front of your lawn; the line between the mowed and unmowed sections will be much less noticeable if you make the line “V” shaped, or a series of V-shapes. Can’t really tell from the street/sidewalks.
I’m in the middle of planting a hedge along the front of the yard so in a year or two, only me, my wife, and delivery people will ever have to look at our crappy lawn.
) constraints you just want to mow only the front of your lawn; the line between the mowed and unmowed sections will be much less noticeable if you make the line “V” shaped, or a series of V-shapes. Can’t really tell from the street/sidewalks.