There is no denying that a mowed lawn makes your yard look cleaner and neater, but to create a truly manicured appearance, edging the grass along the walkways, flower beds and driveway is a great way to finish. There are a couple of tools you could use to polish the look of your lawn, but my personal favourite for this purpose is the affordable and widely sold weed wacker.

This gardening tool works wonders without the need for any additional equipment. All you need is a little practice and some knowledge on the matter to make your space a true masterpiece. Now let’s start with the basics and take a look at some of the ways to straight edge your lawn with a weed wacker.

Whatever kind of work you may be doing, there is one primary concern you need to address – safety. For this purpose, before you start using your weed wacker make sure to have your safety glasses on. Also, it is much advisable that you wear gloves in order to prevent blisters and keep your hands safe from any flying debris. Keep yourself protected because when operating, the weed wacker vibrates, which means it will wear on your hands over time.

After that, following the manufacturer’s instructions, start the engine. For a gas engine, set the choke. Then, put the switch to “on” and pull the starter cord so that it starts operating. With one hand on the handle and the other one on the trigger throttle, hold the weed wacker as normal. Once you ensure a safe grip, raise the engine upward and rotate the trimmer head in order for the line to be vertical to the ground. When put in this angle, the trimmer will cut a more narrow area and will help you shape the edges of the lawn the way you want to.

After that, line up the trimmer line of the machine with the edge of the surface that you want to perfect, be it the walkway, the driveway or the flower beds. To start the line spinning, press the trigger throttle. Remember to keep a firm and steady grip on the weed wacker’s handle so that it does not slip out of position. Lower the spinning trimmer line until it contacts the ground. In order to remove all kinds of overgrown grass and to create a nice, finished edge with the trimmer line, move along the outer border of the surface you’re trimming.

And last but not least, here’s a bit of a warning info. Keep away from the engine. When using this tool for a prolonged period of time, your arms may get tired and you may relax a little. This could cause your arm to brush against the engine casing which could be dangerous. The thing is, after running for a couple of minutes, the engine heats up quickly, which could easily burn your skin. Therefore, it is advisable to wear a long-sleeved shirt to prevent this worst cases scenario, stay alert and take a moment to rest when you need to.