I just bought a house and am a first-time homeowner. I have had to take care of a lawn before, mainly in college when I was living in a rent house that my parents owned. But I never really seemed to get edging down. It always looked like crap.

Well I mowed and edged the new lawn for the first time today. I looked at the house next door's yard along the sidwalk and driveway, and it's perfect and no overgrowth (they have a lawn service doing it because it's a new build that hasn't been moved into). Mine, on the other hand, looks like crap and there's no real clean line along the sidewalk/driveway.

I don't get what is so hard about this. Any tips are appreciated..

Go get a electric edger from sears

If you are using a weedeater and comparing your work to someone with an edger then forget it, no amout of skill or practice will rival what a metal blade edger can do.

the lawn guy that does your neighbors yard does it 20 times per day, 5 days a week... give or take.

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The edgers that are like weed eaters are a lot easier to use than the old style that are similar to lawn mowers

You can make a perfectly straight edge with a STRAIGHT shaft weedeater not a curved shaft one. I've had one for years and do it all the time. Just tip the weedeater sideways and follow a straight line, its really easy.

Growing up my dad had a steel blade edger. That thing was awesome, I miss it.

Never really had a problem with it using a straight shaft week eater like mentioned above. The week eater looking edgers certainly do make things easier though. If you decide to get one do yourself a favor and get something like stihl or echo. Its not worth saving money on tools like that.

Two rules of lawn care
1. Get an edger
2. Gas power rules the day

You need to hold it at a slight angle. Right?

[This message has been edited by Ned Ryerson (edited 4/26/2013 8:23p).]

Or just don't care.

Good Lord brings back some memories. The edgers my dad had me using as a kid were used by many as go-kart engines and if you got offline just a hair, you be lucky if the worst that happened was a shower of sparks raining down on you. Otherwise you were taking entire chunks of concrete out of the sidewalk or curb.

Alas we also never wore helmets when riding our bikes.

Edger is obsolete if you use a quality, powerful, straight shaft weedeater. Think Shindiawa.

ClickClack... I'm available for hire to edge your yard. Give your wife a shot at it first, though.

I have a straight shaft weed eater now, but had a curved shaft electric for years and I was always able to run a perfectly straight line. Don't understand the big deal with straight edge trimmers.

I didn't read all the posts but if you are comparing your work to the little Mexican dude that does it 5 days a week ALL DAY then forget it.

You need practice. I've been using a weedeater for 15 years and still can't make it look like a lawn crew. Don't feel bad. Be proud you are at least doing it yourself. I like seeing this.

I mow once a week maybe every other and I do a much better job than the "pros" maybe from my experience as a pro in high school. Use a real edger even if its just an attachment, gives the best look.

My yard will look a little ratty some times for the first cutting or two of the spring, but after that it will look just like the pros. I use a mid 1980s model Green Machine straight shaft trimmer.

Use a heavy string that will cut quickly and not have to chew through the grass. Also don't be afraid to get off the handle and use the shaft for a better grip.

My lawn guy does a great job.

[This message has been edited by Diet Cokehead (edited 4/27/2013 1:41a).]

I've always used my straight shaft trimmer to cut nice, straight edges. I had a hand-me-down walk-behind edger for awhile, and it always left a ragged edge that didn't look as clean as what I can achieve with the trimmer. Weird.

My straight shaft echo gives perfect edges. Of course, I've been doing it for 25 years, too.

Having mowed lawns from the 5th grade through HS, I was the weedeater guy. We had both edgers and trimmers. Most important thing I learned when using the trimmer to edge is to make sure you stand on the concrete side and let your string hit the concrete first and then make your "grove". If you are on the grass side you are guaranteed to have a wavy line.

I sold all my lawn equipment when I bought my house. I've served my time.

More tips like Fido's

I was not standing on the grass though. I do know not to do that at least!

Oh and Kurt, the wife has made it very clear she's not touching the yard

use a blade

Stihl FS80 turned on its side. Been using one since I was 12, 15 years now.

"Also don't be afraid to get off the handle and use the shaft for a better grip."

Something I just thought of... if you're using a string trimmer, run the throttle wide open. I've noticed when I slack off on the throttle and the head speed slows down, the string starts whipping around all flimsy-like, and I get a much less than perfect cut. Run it open, use centrifugal force to keep a nice, straight cutting edge.

I can't edge around my trees to save my effing life!!! I end up flinging mulch all over the damn place and have to go back and throw it back at the tree until I finally get around to putting blocks/stones around the trees. ugh, I need to do that today in fact. eff me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPeJTLLG3l0

I bought one of the gas powered handhelds that has the attachment change outs. I have the weed eater and edger attachment. I butchered the edge with the weed eater line.

I edge my lawn 4 times a year.

You don't get much practice that way.

No. That is the curse of the bump-n-go. Before I sold my last trimmer I had the style that you inserted 3 individual pieces, but that meant you had to carry a pocket full of trimmer line.

All this trimmer talk makes me happy to pay Lino $45 each week.