[big acres]

For you commercial guys... The mower deck hangs over the curb, so line trimming isn't always necessary... or is it? Answer the poll so we can all see what the average approach to managing the long walk is.

 

[advantage landscapes]

I would trim it quickly if it was in a spot that was seen a lot... probably just with the line trimmer turned upside-down to use it an edger.... but if it was a really lengthy space or somewhere that was not seen very much I would just forget it.....

 

[Lawn Enforcer]

We trim along the curb everytime, otherwise the grass starts to hang down the side of the curb and it looks like crap. I think it just looks much cleaner and neat when you trim the curb.

 

[F Y P M]

We trim curb line everytime. Mower deck also overhangs sidewalks and driveways and we do them everytime also jmo

 

[CuttinUP]

The lawn should look the same every week when you drive off. Clean, Sharp edges, well groomed....... It is what they pay for, IMO

 

[gogreencanada]

Trimming every week tends to keep the grass to short, leaving it suspectible to weed infringement.

 

[KS_Grasscutter]

I dont "trim" the edges, instead, I edge everything, every week.

 

[S L C]

Trimming every week tends to keep the grass to short, leaving it suspectible to weed infringement.

Great post dude!! Whipping/Trimming every week is essencially sp? killing the grass so to speak..... One of my main $$ accts. actually thought it looked nicer/healthier (not so dead/yellow) when I started doing the curbs/sidewalks about every third or fourth mowing or so (I am there every 4-5 days depending on weather / they have irrigation and fert. is dumped on the place) Just something to consider, you honestly don't even notice it from the road when driving by..... cut your time down in certain areas to increase your profit, pretty simple!!

 

[sedge]

Depends what type of grass your mowing. Bermuda MUST be trimmed every week. Fescue types probably can go every other week, but might depend on the slope of the lawn where it touches the curb..........

 

[Jason Rose]

Depends what type of grass your mowing. Bermuda MUST be trimmed every week. Fescue types probably can go every other week, but might depend on the slope of the lawn where it touches the curb..........

Ditto that. I will skip the edging if I can... I can usually go EOW on some properties consistantly, and then there's others I have to edge weekly. Some others I can skip randomally if the weather has been hot and dry and the turf hasn't grown much.

Bermuda is just a b$^%@. Even with a good edger it's really hard to get all of it.

 

[Az Gardener]

This is a topic my field supervisor and I cannot agree on.

I believe If you have a creeping grass like Bermuda you must edge the lawn about every other week to keep a crisp edge. This should be done with a edging machine of some sort with a blade not a line trimmer on the vertical. If it is Rye or Fescue it grows straight up so I would imagine the edging would be needed less frequently. I see no reason to line trim as this leaves a angle cut that is unnatural, discolored and does invite burnt edges, weeds and weaker turf in these areas. Not to mention the additional time needed to complete the task. My method would be mow, and every other week edge.

My supervisor thinks the lined trimmed edge looks better :hammerhead: so you have a 45 degree angle of turf that is 4"-6" wide a different color. The edge may or may not be edged with a machine so the edge is not as crisp or consistent. Yes he can keep it fairly consistent but he is not the one weed-eating employees with a fraction of his experience are. There is still the discolored issues to deal with. His method mow, line trim, edge if/when needed to straighten out the edge.

 

[big acres]

bump.........

 

[DLAWNS]

I edge weekly and prefer to use an edger, not the weedwhacker. I think that the edge comes out so much cleaner.

 

[deason]

It gets done every time we service.

Help me understand this.... why wouldnt you?

 

[deason]

The lawn should look the same every week when you drive off. Clean, Sharp edges, well groomed....... It is what they pay for, IMO

Ditti. My point exactly. ITS WHAT THEY PAY FOR! If your customers are not paying for this, do you know how to bid?

It amazes me that we discuss topics such as this. Goes to show you and prove that this industry is plagued with idoits and why we are thought of as "the lawn guy".

 

[deason]

Trimming every week tends to keep the grass to short, leaving it suspectible to weed infringement.

What????? :laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[The Rookie]

I edge the walks and curbs carefully with a weedeater every mowing before I mow. I feel it is what the customer is paying for.

 

[LwnmwrMan22]

I don't edge. I haven't used an edger in 20 years.

I've got properties that in the past years didn't pay for pre-em control, so I'd knock back the crabgrass if I was walking by it.

Now I only take on properties that allow me to do all the herbicide myself.

As for trimming the curblines, yes, they get trimmed. Edged?? No.

I do agree though, that if you don't trim the curblines properly, that they do allow more weeds in. It's no different than cutting the rest of your grass at 1.5" instead of 3".

As for the comment "if you don't edge, you're an idiot" (more or less) do you not realize that some customers won't pay for it??? It's nice to know the holier than thou attitude is still out there.

 

[SouthernCutter]

I trim every time. I do not put it on angle and scalp the he!! out of the grass, i put it on its side to give it a manicured look along the curbline. I trim along the curb every time, i dont scalp my edges though.

 

[big acres]

Ditti. My point exactly. ITS WHAT THEY PAY FOR! If your customers are not paying for this, do you know how to bid?

It amazes me that we discuss topics such as this. Goes to show you and prove that this industry is plagued with idoits and why we are thought of as "the lawn guy".

You are right, and that is the reason for my poll. I have been coming in at 30% higher than alot of companies on bids this season. I KNOW that these bigger properties with a mile of curbs/walks have not been edged or trimmed in years -you can see it obviously.

We trim weekly as policy, and the time adds up to a higher bid. If we take on a property in bad shape, we'll slice edge once and never again unless the grade is mismatched or there is erosion problems. Inverted line trimmers keep it crisp

The poll is skewed because alot of guys are on here because they take pride in their work and want to continue learning and sharing ideas - I really doubt as many guys trim weekly industry wide as those who have posted here, but let's face it, this industry IS plagued with idiots and they are getting the work and that should concern us all.