Yard Thread - Edging?

[cKGunslinger]

I hate weed-eating my yard. No, I *loath* weed-eating my yard. Never liked it. Hate dealing with flying grass and debris, and hate dealing with string and crappy 2-cycle engined trimmers.

Last spring, I dug up all the "edges" of my yard (around the house, flowerbeds, etc) down ~2in and out ~4-6in and put down a anti-growth barrier material and covered it with cedar mulch.

This worked great for most of the summer, as I could just ride the wheels of my lawn mower over the edges of it and be done with my yard in pretty good time (1 acre.) I still needed to get out the push mower for some of the ditch, around the culvert, and around the mailbox, but I threw my weed-eater in the dumpster and dig a jig.

This spring, however, my weed-barriered, mulched edges have thicker, more healthy-looking grass than the rest of my entire yard.

I thinking about digging it back up, using some grass killer, then using sand and thin paver-stones to line all my edges. I'm not sure how economical that will be however. Maybe pea-gravel? I want something a bit more permanent than one season, cheap, and as maintenance-free as possible.

Any suggestions or advice?

 

[iRONic]

When I lived in Lousyanna we used diesel fuel delivered via pump sprayer. Twice a year got the job done.

Prolly go to jail for that now...

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: iRONic
When I lived in Lousyanna we used diesel fuel delivered via pump sprayer. Twice a year got the job done.

Prolly go to jail for that now...

LOL - we did the exact same thing when *I* lived in Louisiana.

But yeah, now we have neighbors, so that might not be as feasible. =P

 

[MX2]

I have decided that this summer I am paying someone to do my mowing and trimming. I dont like it either

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: iRONic
When I lived in Lousyanna we used diesel fuel delivered via pump sprayer. Twice a year got the job done.

Prolly go to jail for that now...

LOL - we did the exact same thing when *I* lived in Louisiana.

But yeah, now we have neighbors, so that might not be as feasible. =P

Heh heh... Damb neighbors.

I was south of Lafayette, Youngsville. You?

 

[Jeff7]

The stones would have to be put tightly together (or even interlock?) or else you're going to get plants forcing their way through the gaps between them. Plus, with periodic freezing and thawing you might get unevenness. And of course, unevenness = cracks = weeds growing through.
Nature and weathering are pretty harsh processes, and can be difficult to resist.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: MX2
I have decided that this summer I am paying someone to do my mowing and trimming. I dont like it either

im renting for the first time in my life and am glad that i wont have to bother with any yardwork this summer, yardwork sucks.

last place i lived i spent an hour and a half each saturday, then another hour every 3rd saturday or so doing yardwork, meh to that.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
The stones would have to be put tightly together (or even interlock?) or else you're going to get plants forcing their way through the gaps between them. Plus, with periodic freezing and thawing you might get unevenness. And of course, unevenness = cracks = weeds growing through.
Nature and weathering are pretty harsh processes, and can be difficult to resist.

Well, I was thinking the sand would help keep the growth down. I think the reason why the anti-weed fabric + mulch didn't work is that it was so lightweight, the grass could still grow and just push it's way through. With sand + bricks, I think it might have a better chance of inhibiting grass growth.

Then again, this is Texas. I'm surprised the grass hasn't lifted my house 3' in the air.

 

[slag]

I love mowing my yard. I pull out one of my 3 lawnboys and fire it up. The sweet, smokey smell of the two stroke is unbeatable as is the power in said engine.

The distinct burble of the two stroke is a unique sound in and of itself and the under the deck muffler really keeps the sound at a minimum. I gently ease the capstan rollers down towards the rear wheels and as the self propel system engages on my 8321 electric start lawnboy, i calmy walk behind it as it makes its way across the yard.

A few bags of grass/leaves/weeds later, and my lawn is mowed.

Next up is the shindaiwa weed eater that is also a 2 stroke. It roars to life and eagerly eats through any weed, stock, or calf that happens to be in its way.

Once done, i get out my craftsman blower, once again, a 2 stroke, and blow the clippings away.

I then stand back and revel in the fact I've singlehandedly helped speed up global warming.

 

[NogginBoink]

Weedwacking is an unfortunate byproduct of owning a home.

I haven't found a way to make the task pleasant, but I have found some things that make it less unpleasant.

First, get a set of earplugs. You won't believe the difference the earplugs will make in your attitude toward weedwacking. Reducing the volume goes a long way toward eliminating the frustration of the chore.

Second, wear safety glasses. But you knew that.

Third, wear long pants. But you knew that, too.

Really. Earplugs made a huge difference for me. And it's only a seventy nine cent investment at the local Big Box Hardware Store.

 

[Quasmo]

When I read the title I thought, what's an rd thread?

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: slag
I love mowing my yard. I pull out one of my 3 lawnboys and fire it up. The sweet, smokey smell of the two stroke is unbeatable as is the power in said engine.

The distinct burble of the two stroke is a unique sound in and of itself and the under the deck muffler really keeps the sound at a minimum. I gently ease the capstan rollers down towards the rear wheels and as the self propel system engages on my 8321 electric start lawnboy, i calmy walk behind it as it makes its way across the yard.

A few bags of grass/leaves/weeds later, and my lawn is mowed.

Next up is the shindaiwa weed eater that is also a 2 stroke. It roars to life and eagerly eats through any weed, stock, or calf that happens to be in its way.

Once done, i get out my craftsman blower, once again, a 2 stroke, and blow the clippings away.

I then stand back and revel in the fact I've singlehandedly helped speed up global warming.

Lawn care prose at its finest. Well done.

 

[Bryophyte]

If you don't have much to trim and hate dealing with the string and engine powered trimmer, get a battery powered one. I have a Black & Decker one that comes with a self-feeding reel that you don't have to change often (maybe once or twice a year unless you use it daily). It goes plenty long enough for a small job, makes almost no noise, and is very lightweight. You just have to pop off the battery and throw it on the charger (like you'd do with a cordless drill.)

 

[Kaido]

grass killer on a 4" strip around lawn edge + robotic lawnmower ftw