Mow or Weed Eat First

[Lexclone]

OK, so my order is

• Mow
• String trim
• Blow
• Mow perpendicular to previous to get a pristine cut even when mowing on the highest setting
• Blow

Yard comes out looking manicured, and I can space mowing out more with the even-double-cut looking better longer. Mown area is about 1/4 acre on a 1/2 acre lot. It’s a labor of love.

 

[Nolaeer]

I didnt read the entire thread, but weed killer first. That eliminates the need for a trimming during the summer when grass grows several inches a week, if not a day.

I also edge first. I use a hedge trimmer. It has a wide swath, takes grss down to stems, and doesn't destroy delicate brick etc like a weed-eater.

 

[dosry5]

Do you ask first? What if he prefers the unkept look?

I find it’s usually better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission

 

[ISUTex]

I weed eat first. Sometimes yard looks good just after the weed eating and I skip mowing for a couple of days.

 

[NorthCyd]

the proper term is string trimming.

Weed Eater is a brand of string trimmer.

Here's a list so you can be REALLY annoying about brand names that people use generically.

41 Brand Names People Use as Generic Terms

Many items we use every day, like zippers and escalators, were once brand names. These names are or were trademarked, but are now often used to describe any brand in a product category.

www.mentalfloss.com

 

[1100011CS]

OK, so my order is

• Mow
• String trim
• Blow
• Mow perpendicular to previous to get a pristine cut even when mowing on the highest setting
• Blow

Yard comes out looking manicured, and I can space mowing out more with the even-double-cut looking better longer. Mown area is about 1/4 acre on a 1/2 acre lot. It’s a labor of love.

Are you retired?

 

[cydnote]

Does 2 4 D hurt the evergreens? I have a newish evergreen windbreak that I struggle with keeping grass\weeds around it under control.

In my experience any chemicals are harsh on the new growth so I avoid spraying until after the new growth is hardened off. Tedious application but where possible I'll lift branches to avoid any chemical contact with the tree or at least as little as possible. Part of that stewardship--spray only the target. I prefer to use roundup only, but RU resistant waterhemp forced me to add 2 4 D in some areas. I use 2 oz. per gallon of each-- roundup and use Triplet , Trimec or Mecamine D as my 2 4 D source

 

[PineClone]

If you google it, the internet pretty much says to mow first and then trim. The mower sets the height of the grass and then you trim to that level.

I say that's poppycock. I trim first so that a) the mower chops up the clippings, and b) mowing is much faster along the edges.

 

[Cydkar]

Who mows first? That makes zero sense to me.

What's the difference? I mow first but usually that's time related. Don't always trim.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

The most sense that doesn't cost you much cents is to hire Kuberski Brothers to take care of all the yardwork. Your lawn will look like Augusta National in no time.

cc: @ChrisMWilliams @brentblum

Kuberski brothers do our spraying, and plugging in the fall. Have known Alex for years as he went to school in Davis Co. with our two sons. Mom is a really nice gal, dad, feuded with him for years.

I mow, then weed, then lawn sweep and then blow it off. Yard looks great.

 

[VeloClone]

I used to mow then weed eat but then I realized that my mower's bagger was cleaning up for me... Besides if there is something that I want to be careful around I can trim at a safe distance so even if Mrs. Velo is mowing she will stay away from it.

 

[mramseyISU]

I only run my string trimmer every other mowing at best so I definitely run the trimmer after I mow.

 

[kevdiv48]

i read the title as "mow or eat weed first?"

 

[Lexclone]

Are you retired?

I am not. 9-5 with a 45 min commute on either end. Walking mower. Time well spent.

 

[VeloClone]

I am not. 9-5 with a 45 min commute on either end. Walking mower. Time well spent.

Do you have a postage stamp yard? I alternate between lengthwise, side to side, right hand angle, left hand angle, but I only do one each mowing. Mowing it twice is beyond the pale for me.

 

[VeloClone]

I mow first because I don’t trim every mow.

I don't understand why people keep saying they mow first because they don't trim every mow. I don't trim every mow - usually every other mow - but when I do, the trimming comes first.

What am I missing here?

 

[Lexclone]

Do you have a postage stamp yard? I alternate between lengthwise, side to side, right hand angle, left hand angle, but I only do one each mowing. Mowing it twice is beyond the pale for me.

About 1/4 acre of grass. Certainly not huge. The result is sublime.

Takes me back to my greens keeper days.

 

[enisthemenace]

I don't understand why people keep saying they mow first because they don't trim every mow. I don't trim every mow - usually every other mow - but when I do, the trimming comes first.

What am I missing here?

Fair call out, and I probably worded it wrong for my situation. I mow and trim (when I do trim) 4 acres. I don’t notice the need to trim (or it’s an afterthought for me) until I’m done mowing.

 

[enisthemenace]

Do you have a postage stamp yard? I alternate between lengthwise, side to side, right hand angle, left hand angle, but I only do one each mowing. Mowing it twice is beyond the pale for me.

I mowed mine back to back days last week. First mow was at 5” (diagonal cut) and the next day at 4.5” (the other diagonal).

It looked phenomenal.

 

[VeloClone]

I mowed mine back to back days last week. First mow was at 5” (diagonal cut) and the next day at 4.5” (the other diagonal).

It looked phenomenal.

I get it if it has been raining and you can't get to it until it is out of control, but if it isn't more than you should cut in one pass I just don't see it.