How To Cut Grass With a Weedwacker or a String Trimmer
Usually, you would use a lawnmower to cut your grass. It's perfect for larger or more even areas, and the blades ensure for an even cut the whole way. Sometimes though, you won't be able to use a lawn mower to get to the grass on the edges against fences and posts. Trying to get to the edges with a mower can result in damaging fence and posts, resulting in fence maintenance being needed. In these cases, a weedwacker or grass trimmer will do a better job at cutting that grass. Here's how to use a weedwacker to ensure that you get the perfect cut.
Why Use a Weedwacker?
So why use a weed-wacker in the first place? Despite the name, they can be used for more than removing weeds. Their design is perfect for cutting smaller areas of grass, especially to help aid in fence maintenance. They help cut the edges of your lawn, where your regular lawnmower can't reach. They are also perfect for uneven areas, where you won't be able to manoeuvre a lawn mower.
In these instances, a weed eater or grass trimmer is going to be just what you need when it comes to cutting the lawn or helping with fence maintenance to ensure the area around your fence is clean and clear and won’t lead to mold, mildew or rot in the posts. You will need to prepare before you get started, though. Let's see how you'll do this.
Weedwacker Safety First
Before getting started, you'll need weed wacker protection for both you and your yard as a whole. A weedwacker uses a string that rotates quickly to cut down vegetation. This launches both grass and other debris at high speed. If you're not careful, it could injure you or your posts, leading to fence maintenance.
Ensure that you pick up a pair of closed toe shoes and eye protection at the very least. Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt are recommended too, as well as ear protection as these machines are loud while in operation.
Consider your yard, too. Some areas can see damage from the strimmer if you're working in close proximity to them. Fence and deck posts, for example, are easily damaged by the flying debris. That's why so many home owners look into weedeater protection post shields for them. Firstly, it's important to keep up with fence maintenance so your fence is less at risk once you start cutting grass. You should also look into installing post shields or a fence protector, so you're not going to damage the fence, therefore lessening the time spent on fence maintenance. If you don't already have a fence post protector installed, now's the time to look into it.
Once you've organized all your weedeater protection, you're ready to get started.
What to Do Before Cutting Your Lawn
Before you get started cutting the grass, examine the area closely. Look for any debris that may be in the grass, such as rocks or sticks. Remove as much as you can before you get started. Your weedwacker will send that debris flying if it catches it, so you want to avoid that if possible and you don’t want to deal with nicks and scratches on your posts when doing fence maintenance later. Remember though, it's not possible to catch everything before you get started. That's why it's so important to wear weed wacker protection and have those post shields or fence post protectors in place.
How To Cut Grass Using Your Weedwacker
Now you're ready to start cutting the grass. Hold the weedwacker close enough to the ground that it will cut grass to about an inch above the soil. If the grass is heat stressed, or a variety that cannot tolerate close cropping, hold it higher up.
Swing the head gently from side to side as you cut, moving forward in short steps as you do so. Maintain the height of the head so you'll get an even cut as you do this. At the end of your path, turn around and cut a second swath parallel to the first. Slightly overlap the paths so all grass will be at a uniform length.
When working on the edges of the lawn, you'll need to turn the head 90 degrees away from you. This will deflect any debris away from you, or your posts, offering you proper weed wacker protection and saving you time on fence maintenance. If you do this, you'll need to install those fence protector products on your fence, to ensure they aren't damaged by this process.
Clean Up After Cutting The Grass
Once you're done cutting, you'll need to clean the weedwacker. Turn off the power and unplug it if it's an electrical model. Clean out the head of any excess grass and replace any line that has broken during the grass cutting process. You're now done with the machine, so it can be put away for next time.
Now, clean up any grass that is left on your lawn. Rake it up and dispose of it, and you'll have a perfect lawn or grassy area. Next task is routine fence maintenance, once finished leaves behind a beautiful curb appeal.
With regards to fence maintenance, let’s chat about it. If you don't have any weedeater protection on your posts right now, you'll need to see if they’ve sustained any damage. If you see any, you'll want to pick up some post shields or a fence post protector to stop it from happening again.
Performing Fence Maintenance
It's important to think about your fences and your fence maintenance strategy while you're cutting grass. However, you cut it, debris will cause damage over time. That's why homeowners are investing in weed wacker protection to stop them from becoming damaged over time.
The best weedeater protection for your fence is the fence protector or post shields that you can buy from Fence Armor®. The post shields here are made from galvanized steel, so they should last for years on end. They last longer than other fence protector products thanks to this heavy-duty design.
The design of the fence protector has weed eaters in mind, too. If your weed eater should touch the fence post protector, the rounded edge on the design will ensure there's less damage to the machine. That keeps your fence in good condition, as well as your weed wacker. Buying a fence protector from Fence Armor® will allow you to cut the grass without worry and makes fence maintenance easy.
Now you know how to cut your grass using your weed wacker and reducing your fence maintenance. If you don't have a fence post protector yet, buy one now from Fence Armor®. Their fence post protector range is one of the best around, letting you cut your grass without damaging the fence posts.
To source your post shields, and fence post protectors, Fence Armor® can be contacted on 1-888-289-5617 for more information or to place your order.
Shop Fence Armor® - Post Guards
