Trimming my Juniper bushes is the first thing I do in my backyard in early spring and it is the last thing I do before winter. Thanks to my small, yet sharp, Black & Decker Hedge Trimmer, the trimming part is easy. However, the cleanup used to be back-breaking and take hours. I dreaded the job as the work days approached. So many times I had to tell myself just get out there and get it done! Then one year I had an epiphany that made that job so much easier and faster.
I started laying out disposable drop clothes under the bushes. That way, as I trim, all of the debris and clippings fall directly on the drop cloth. When I am finished, I simply roll up the drop cloths and throw them away.
Now, instead of taking 2 or 3 days, wearing myself out and having to take Advil for my back pain, I can finish the entire job in about 4 hours.
Over the last few years, I have found that the lighter weight drop cloths are not a good choice. They tear, which defeats the purpose of using them.
The plastic drop cloths I prefer are heavy duty, 1 MIL, 9" x 12". Since I only use them one time and throw them away, this size and thickness are very easy to handle without being too thin to handle the weight of bush trimming.
I buy them in packages of 2 or 3. I use 3 drop cloths to surround the large bushes I have to trim and I lay them all out before I start trimming. That way, I don't end up trimming in an area of the bush that doesn't have the plastic underneath it to catch the clippings.
When I have finished trimming the entire bush, I fold the length side of each plastic drop cloth over the middle, covering all of the trimmings. Then, starting at one end, roll it up, put it in a big durable Contractor's trash bag, and throw it away.
Buying plastic drop cloths is a very inexpensive way to make a hard job much easier. Plus, I can enjoy my freshly trimmed bushes a lot sooner and call it a job well done.
Frost King P115R/3 Clear Polyethylene Drop Cloths (3 Pack), 9' x 12' x 1MilCheck PriceContractor's Choice 50-Count 42-Gallon Outdoor Construction Trash BagsCheck PriceBLACK+DECKER Electric Hedge Trimmer, 17-Inch (BEHT150)Check PriceSLARMOR Long-Gardening-Gloves Women/Men-Thorn Proof Rose Pruning Heavy Duty Gauntlet-SCheck Price
Anything that makes a backbreaking yard or gardening chore easier is a definite plus. These disposable drop cloths for trimming look like the perfect solution. I can also see them being helpful in weeding flower and vegetable gardens throughout the season.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a smart idea! I just shared it with my husband, who does most of our yard work. I know from the parts of it that I do with him (such as bagging up autumn leaves, which are plentiful on this heavily tree-lined street in New England, and which we are not allowed to burn, per the fire department) that yard work can, indeed, be backbreaking. Now you’ve got me thinking about whether we can use larger drop cloths to help us bundle up the autumn leaves, which John rakes and then we both transfer from the piles into big lawn and leaf trash bags. 🍁 🍂 🍁 🍂 🍁 🍂,
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea Miss Mouse! Sometimes the cleanup in spring is the straw that breaks the proverbial camels back. After a winter of not having to stretch and bend, that first clean up can take a hard toll. I'm so happy you found a way to make it easier and neater too!
ReplyDeleteGardening work in the Spring especially the heavy duty kind can take its toll on our backs! Good to know that you have discovered the drop cloths that make it so much easier for you. Have to say your Juniper bushes look lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat's a fantastic idea. This is a much easier way to deal with a huge trimming project. In our area we have yard waste picked starting next week, bi-weekly, and have to put them in those special recycle brown bags - but you've given a good idea on how to collect the trimmings, then put them in the yard waste bags. I'm going to try this - I've started the yard work, and yep, sore body.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea Cynthia. We have 6 large bushes in the front of our house and you're correct, trimming is the easy part. Clean up is the back breaking part. This year I'll be using these drop clothes for cleanup. Thanks for the idea.
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