Prevent A Weed Whacker From Damaging Your Fence With These Tips

So, you've got a beautiful fence and a handy weed whacker. Great combo, right? Well, maybe not. While the weed whacker is your friend for creating razor sharp edges in your lawn and garden, it can quickly turn into your fence's worst nightmare. Imagine slicing away happily, only to notice that your whacker has also been gnawing on the fence. Those powerful strings can scrape paint, leave scratches, or even break wood or vinyl. Installing aluminum garden trim or setting up a concrete border will protect your fence from the wrath of the weed whacker.

The first way to keep your fence pristine is by installing aluminum garden trim. This thin metal strip sits neatly along the bottom of your fence, acting as a guard that keeps the weed whacker from reaching it.  All you need to do is attach the trim where the grass meets the fence. Just make sure you set it up along the whole bottom edge of your fence. Not only does this block the weed whacker's path, but it's also sleek and practically invisible from a distance. Aluminum is also rust-resistant and low maintenance, meaning it will keep working hard for years.

If you want to go all out, add a concrete or gravel barrier. Create a narrow border between your fence and the grass by laying down concrete or gravel. This border acts as a buffer, so when the weed whacker comes close, it only hits the concrete or gravel — not your fence. It's perfect if you like a clean, polished look, as it adds a nice, landscaped edge. 

When using a weed whacker, trim around the fence at a low speed. When you're close to structures like fences (or anything else you don't want to destroy), reducing the power on the weed whacker lowers the chances of damage. Many weed whackers have adjustable speed settings, so play around with them to find a safe yet effective balance. Slowing down also means you have better control, which can make a big difference when working in tight spots.

Another simple rule for using a weed whacker around fences is to keep a safe distance. If you find yourself inching closer to the fence, just back up a bit. If you have one of those handy borders in place, it will be easy to tell where to stop. Your weed whacker can usually reach weeds from a few inches away, so there's no need to get right up against your fence. Getting too close increases the chances of accidentally hitting and damaging it.

Finally, always watch your angle. Tilt your weed whacker slightly away from the fence so the strings cut the grass without hitting the structure. This way, you're directing the cutting line toward the weeds and not right at the fence. An angled approach also allows for better control, which means fewer chances of doing major damage to your lawn, or slipping up and bumping the fence.