Strimming a field

[Horsegirl25]

So I have weed killed my field it is looking great however the dead weeds are still there. It does say to top after 3 weeks but I don't have anything to top the field with and our farmer only does it once a year (been and gone).
How easy would it be to go round with a strimmer and strim the weeds? I thought I could rake up any cuttings as I go, is that do able or am I mad....

 

[Lady Jane]

Depends how big the field is and how many weeds there are - sorry not very helpful!

 

[Horsegirl25]

Depends how big the field is and how many weeds there are - sorry not very helpful!

Sorry I should have given more info! It is more a paddock than a field, field is being generous. We managed to hand spray with a knapsack in a couple hours.
Field was over run with buttercups and clover (I think) they are now dead but still there, so I would have to strim pretty much the full paddock.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Probably doable I do the edges of mine to get rid the nettles it takes about an hour but I don't rake them up as they eat them once wilted.

 

[Horsegirl25]

Probably doable I do the edges of mine to get rid the nettles it takes about an hour but I don't rake them up as they eat them once wilted.

I think I will give it a bash, worst comes to worst I have a half trimmed field lol

 

[Pinkvboots]

I think I will give it a bash, worst comes to worst I have a half trimmed field lol

Do a bit at a time I often just do 10 minutes when I can and it soon gets done.

 

[D66]

Can you hire a power scythe locally?

 

[Abacus]

It may be easier to push a lawnmower around than to strim it. Strimming gets very heavy after a little while. Better still if you use a lawnmower with a grass collector which would pick it all up as you go. I lazily use a ride on lawnmower for mine.

 

[dorsetladette]

Probably doable I do the edges of mine to get rid the nettles it takes about an hour but I don't rake them up as they eat them once wilted.

I was going to say the same.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I strimmed part of my field the other week as the nettles were a mess. The ponies did the clearing!

 

[paddy555]

I have often strimmed my fields to get rid of weeds so definitely not mad.
Perfectly doable and I have also strimmed buttercups when they have annoyed me too much.

To do any area you need a decent strimmer and to have the harness correctly adjusted to take the weight of the strimmer. That way it is easy. I strim up to an hour at a time like this and only stop when the cord runs out. Then replace and off for another session.
It is no effort at all provided you use a harness correctly.

If you don't have a suitable strimmer consider hiring one. It will be a 2 stroke one (petrol and 2 stroke oil) and a days or even half a day's hire will be sufficient.

I don't clear up but I don't spray weeds. If they are dead from spray you will probably have to rake them up.

 

[blitznbobs]

You can get strimmers with wheels which saves your shoulders but definitely get a harness!

 

[Blurr]

We have about 4.5acres and do all field maintenance tasks by hand machinery. Even my husband finds the strimming/weed wacker tough (we're not young though!), a petrol lawn mower that pulls itself along rather than needs pushing is far easier. Wheelbarrow on the field to empty the collection hopper thingy into means no raking. And an electric fence post to clear the inevitable blockages between mower and hopper. However, if you find something easier, please let me know!

 

[PeterNatt]

Find a grassland management company with a 'Cut and Collector' as that will collect them all up.

 

[Honey08]

We do our little paddock with a flymo.