The Weedeating Tip That Makes Driveway And Lawn Edges Look Sharp

Is your driveway looking scraggly? If so, you may be looking for some essential lawn tools for healthy green grass to get the edges looking smart, such as a string trimmer. However, when using this clever invention in your yard, you can't rely on the tool alone; you also need to use the most effective technique. After all, professional gardeners and landscapers seem to have specific ways of doing things — and they must have their reasons, right? Well, one method worth adopting involves walking backward while using your string trimmer.

Flipping this common task on its head and walking backward instead of forward is touted by amateur and professional gardeners alike for multiple reasons. Firstly, the string on many edge trimmers actually spins counter-clockwise, so by walking backward, you are walking along with the motion of the string. Therefore, the debris will be thrown back the way it came, rather than out in front of you. This can also result in a cleaner cut because the string isn't being dragged along the ground against its natural spin; it's working with you. Walking backward is also more effective because you can get a clearer view of the edge you are working on. Finally, depending on where the guard is on your weedeater, walking backward can mean that the cut grass and debris are launched back onto the lawn instead of on the path, making for a cleaner driveway and lawn edges. Let's take a look at some key tips for adopting this method to give you an easier time cleaning up your lawn.

It is important to initially note a few safety considerations before trying this alternative technique. First, this tip is not ideal for anyone with coordination problems or limited mobility. In addition, if the grass is wet from rain or sprinklers, it is probably best not to walk backward — or use a weed eater at all, ideally — until the conditions are dry to avoid the possibility of slipping. This trick should also not be attempted with gas-powered trimmers, as the exhaust may be directed into your face, making the situation potentially dangerous to your health.

However, if the conditions are right and you are using a battery-powered trimmer, edging your lawn while walking backward may help give you a cleaner, easier cut. To do this, put on long pants and protective eyewear, then make an initial pass with the trimmer held horizontally, making sure that you walk on the opposite side of where the debris is being sent out from the machine. This first pass will help level out the edge to match the rest of the lawn, giving you a cohesive front garden or backyard. You can then do a second pass with the trimmer held vertically along the edge of the driveway and lawn to create that sharp cut you are looking for. Some professionals even say that walking backward is generally more comfortable and stable because it lets you tuck the body of the trimmer under your arm while maintaining visibility, so you can edge the lawn without jolting or awkward postures.