Mowing the lawn is a chore that most households tackle with regularity. Keeping the grass height down to a manageable level is not only about following city ordinances, it is about taking pride in one's property. Those who want to make their yard truly look nice and well-kept use a string trimmer regularly.
It is a matter of personal preference whether trimming the yard should be done before or after mowing. Some people do it beforehand so that extra clippings will be absorbed by the lawnmower. Others prefer to do it afterwards to catch any stray weeds or blades of grass that could not be reached by the lawnmower. Either way, the use of a string trimmer, also called a weedwacker, is one of the classic finishing touches one can put on lawn care for a more professional look. Here are 5 places the string trimmer should be used in the yard to enhance its look.
Front Walk
The front walk and driveway of a house is something that visitors will see up close every time they come to a house. Concrete walks and driveways tend to crack and have sprouts of weeds or grass grow through the cracks. Use a weedwacker to trim them back regularly. Without using weed killer or insecticide, this is one way to manage growth. Stepping stone walks nestled in the grass also get overgrown and hidden. Use a string trimmer to clear away extra growth so that the stepping stones can be seen, used and appreciated.
Outdoor Furniture
Getting up close to heavy outdoor furniture, such as wrought iron benches or chimineas can be challenging with a lawn mower. This can not only damage the furniture, but dull the blade of the mower as well. Take a moment to cruise by with the weedwacker and nip the blades of grass from around the legs or bases of items that are too heavy to move. Be careful with items made of ceramics, as they may chip if the device gets to close. Hold it a foot away, then creep closer until the desired look is achieved.
Fence Line
Short of running through the fence with heavy machinery, string trimmers are the best bet for stopping the growth of weeds and tall grass along the fence line. Use them on chain link, picket other types that allow growth, but not cutting. The neighbors will be especially appreciative if the side visible from their yard that is technically not their property is trimmed back occasionally as well.
Vehicles
From time to time, people must park their cars on the lawn instead of the driveway. There may be too many drivers for the driveway to accommodate, or perhaps one of the vehicles is a classic car and is set aside for special occasions. Rather than moving the vehicle while doing lawn maintenance, use the weedwacker to eliminate any high grass around it. This eliminates the appearance that the car is in disrepair, and there will not be any patches of grass sticking up when it has been moved.
Garden Edges
For gardens and landscaping that hold plant material, trim back the overgrowth on the edges. This includes ones with finished edges, like bricks and scallops. It also means getting up close to mulch to define where the garden ends and where the lawn begins.
