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It’s overwhelming to look at an overgrown yard and not even be able to see your backyard because it’s completely covered with tall weeds. It took me five days to clear it all out, but with the right tools and determination, you could probably get it done in a day.
Back in March, the local town kindly mulched my overgrown yard using their Caterpillar mulcher while they were working on a nearby electrical pole. It was the first time we had ever seen the entire backyard since moving into our new home.
Five months later, the 3000-square-foot backyard needed is now unrecognizable, overrun with tall weeds.
If left untouched over the seasons, I believe the weeds will dry out, harden, and make maintenance much more difficult. Therefore, waiting to deal with them would only hurt me in the long run. While I still have the advantage, with the weeds being soft and the weather permitting, I decided to tackle the task.
Table of Contents
Tools required
- Weed Whacker
- Gloves
- Garden Rake
- Machete
- Waste Disposal bins or bags
- Wheelbarrow
Break it down into phases
Day 1: Familiarize yourself with your tools and the area you’ll be working on.
Start by conducting a realistic assessment of the area you’ll be working on. Identify any obstacles and large debris that can be safely removed by hand.
Choose a side to start with and set it as your daily goal, especially if the area is large. Overgrown weeds can be challenging and will require a lot of energy to clear.
Avoid trying to tackle a large area in a single day unless you have sufficient manpower. However, if you have the stamina and enjoy burning calories, by all means, go ahead.
So to get started, I bought a 2-stroke cycle weed whacker that came with various attachments:
- 3T Blade: allows you to cut heavy bushes up to 2 inches
- Brush cutter: technically, it does the same thing as above but can handle up to 3 inches.
- Trimmer: to refine and style your grass.
On the first day, I managed to clear a small part of the yard with a full tank. Some weeds kept tangling with the weed whacker, which was frustrating because I had to stop and remove them each time.
Day 2: Tackling these overgrown weeds—getting better with each pass.
It became easier once I knew what to expect and could better manage the tool. I’ve managed to whack two-thirds of the overgrown weeds in total.
Day 3: Progress is visible—starting to reclaim the yard.
It’s all clear now. I can now see the creek from the deck. I gave myself a pat on the back for staying true to my word and staying motivated. It’s okay to congratulate yourself, even when there’s no one else around.
However, the job isn’t quite finished yet. I’ll need to spend some more time gathering the weeds, removing some roots, and then spraying some weed killer over them.
Day 4: Focused on clearing the last of the stubborn weeds.
Remember those weeds that kept getting tangled in the weed wacker? Most of them were in the part of the yard I tackled last. I had to use my machete to chop them up, making it easier to gather and clear the area.
To prevent the weeds from growing back quickly, I used a Weed Stop solution and sprayed it all over. I’m not sure how effective it will be for such a large area, but I’ve used a similar product before that took care of the annoying weeds on my lawn without damaging the grass.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When cutting overgrown weeds
Misjudging the scope and workload involved. You might think that simply turning on the weed whacker and cutting down the weeds is a straightforward task, but it’s more challenging than it seems.
Wear proper gear. Be sure to wear eye protection or consider using a face shield, as small particles will be flying around everywhere.
Protect yourself. Wear long sleeves to prevent your legs from becoming irritated at the end, regardless of whether you have sensitive skin.
Stay hydrated to avoid getting tired quickly and to reduce the need for frequent breaks.
Maintain your overgrown yard
Failing to include that part of your yard in your regular lawn maintenance routine will allow the weeds to grow back in the blink of an eye. Once you’ve cleared everything out, grab your mower and smooth it all out. If you’re unable to do this yourself, consider getting some help or hiring a professional.
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