To some, weed whacking is just an annoying chore – or a workout, at best. To others, however, it’s an art. Learning how to perform this art masterfully is the sign of a true landscaper.
Not only will the tips and tricks in this article teach you how to whack your weeds professionally, you might even learn to like it more.
Tips & Tricks for Pro Weed Whacking
Enjoy these professional tips on using a weed whacker.
Prepare Your Gear
First, you’ll need to make sure that you’re using the right tool for the job. There are a large number of different weed whacker tools, parts, and brands. In fact, there are far more than the everyday gardener needs to know about.
For everyday landscaping you’ll probably be fine with a straight-shaft gas-powered weed whacker. These produce great results and have the most versatility
Prepare Yourself (Dress Appropriately)
It’s important to dress properly for weed whacking, otherwise, you’ll end up with bits of grass in unspeakable places and, quite possibly, end up weed whacking yourself.
For shoes, we’d recommend closed-toed shoes at the very least and, preferably, steel-toed shoes. These can really withstand a whacking.
Make sure to wear long pants, high socks, or both. Gloves are recommended, but not necessary, and goggles or glasses are always recommended to avoid having your eyes gouged by flying rocks and twigs.
Earplugs are also useful if you don’t want to end up going deaf.
Keep Your Weed Whacker in Good Shape
There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your weed whacker always stays in good shape.
- Make sure that you clean the trimmer every time that you finish using it. This makes sure that it starts up easily. Once the unit has cooled down, manually scrape off any grass or trimmings that are stuck to the underside and line.
- Make sure to check your gas and oil levels once you’re done. Refilling when you’re putting it away prevents you from accidentally taking it out into the field next time before fueling up.
Keep a Good Posture
If you’re not holding your weed whacker properly, you might end up with a sore back.
- Keep your shoulders held back.
- Make sure your knees are soft, not stiff.
- Make sure that you always have your leading hand on the throttle and your other one on the assistance handle.
- Hold the weed whacker about waist-height and parallel to the grass.
- When squatting and reaching difficult areas, make sure that you bend your knees rather than using your back. This is an important trick to remember for any type of lifting.
Conclusion
Using a weed whacker can be a fun experience if you know how to do it properly. Maintaining your weed whacker and your posture are important if you want to have a positive experience.
For those little weeds that are growing in your garden and too small for the weed whacker, check out our article on organic weed control. And before you go and whack them all, make sure you understand whether or not dandelions are actually weeds!
