Weed Whacking – Do It Yourself

Until we moved to the California Central Coast about 6 years ago, I knew what a weed whacker was but had never used one. Since then I have gone from a novice to an expert or at least a skilled amateur.

Weed Whacking in Our Yard

Our property is a little more than ¾ of an acre, on a hill, in a Monterey pine forest. We have no turf grass and very few irrigated plants.

During the short wet season, a multitude of wild grasses spring up and often grow to 4 feet tall or more. Many people would call the plants that appear weeds and some actually are. Due to a previous owner, daffodils and the occasional iris pop up in seemingly random locations.

In our county, homeowners and lot owners are required to clear their property of dried grass and brush each year.

Weed whacking in our yard entails trekking up and down through dry vegetation that is anywhere from 2 to 6 feet tall, avoiding vole and other critter holes, trying not to trip over dead tree limbs or the extension cord, all while wielding a machine that weighs over 6 pounds with a very fast spinning cutting device on the end of it.

I am more of a finesse weed whacker than a fast one. When I see a tree or native plant sprout, I stop, hand weed around it, and then continue. Weed whacking sessions usually last a few hours and are spread out over several weeks.

Weed Whacking Equipment

The odds of achieving good results are improved by selecting the right equipment for the job that fits the user. It is a good idea to read and follow the instructions on how to safely operate the equipment and maintain it good working order.

• Electric Weed Whacker – for my first weed whacker, I chose a Black & Decker GH1000 Grass Hog electric model. It is light enough for me to carry and maneuver and powerful enough to cut through the tall and thick grass and runs on renewable energy via our rooftop solar panels.
• Extension Cords – two 100’ extension cords plugged together reach every place that needs to be weed whacked in our yard.
• Shovel – for digging out thistles and other invasive plants.
• Plastic Tub – a large party beverage tub with handles and a sturdy pair of kitchen tongs work well for picking up branches, pine cones, and other items you would not want to hit with a weed whacker.
• Cordless Weed Whacker – a couple years ago, I added a cordless Black & Decker NST2118 Grass Hog with an adjustable handle to my equipment. It makes small jobs fast and easy, like clearing a path to our compost bins or bird bath.

Weed Whacking Clothing and Protective Gear

Wearing proper clothing and protective gear is important for comfort and safety while weed whacking. I always wear sunscreen.

• Long Pants and Long-Sleeved Shirt – heavy duty materials provide protection from flying debris and prickly plants.
• Socks – thick socks that wick away moisture keep feet cool, I like Thorlos.
• Boots – a few years ago I bought a pair of Kamik Heidi rain boots to wear during the wet season and found they are good for weed whacking too. They are bulletproof.
• Hat – keeps debris out of my hair and provides shade.
• Protective Eyewear – I wear my prescription sunglasses.
• Ear Protection – reusable foam earplugs reduce noise.
• Dust Mask – a 3M dust mask with a valved respirator works well and can be reused.
• Gloves – West Country Gloves rose pruning gauntlets that come up to the elbow make great gloves for weed whacking through tall grass and prickly plants.

Do It Yourself

I like weed whacking. It is great exercise and I enjoy the sense of accomplishment I feel when I look at our yard and know I did the work myself. I have learned new skills, like how to rewind the spool using bulk line and how to wind up an extension cord so it does not take 20 minutes to unravel it next time.

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