Pro-Tips: Harvesting Tip #363,

So, our Ryobi Xpand-It curved shaft weed trimmer failed back in the beginning of June.  Being the cheap ass that I am I was trying to score a used one on CraigsList fo' cheap.  Being the even cheaper-ass I was waiting for one for sale that was within 20 minutes of driving time.  Fast-forward 3 weeks, do you know what weeds growing along side garden beds can do if left unchecked for 3 weeks?  It was starting to get a bit out of control so I broke down and joined Consumer Reports, read that the Echo series of weed trimmers was supposed to be pretty sweet and went out and got the Echo SRM-230. The thing is a friggin hoss.  Given that weed trimming/weed control is about my least favorite task on the farm, it made sense to get the proper tool for the job.  In the few days we've had it I can tell you that there is a reason you see Echo straight shaft trimmers on the sides of landscaping trucks and not other silly brands.  What I will tell you is that it is not the best of ideas to weed eat along side of beds you plan on harvesting from the following day unless you wanna spend the time and water to wash the shredded grasses out of the folds of your lettuces and other veggies, ask me how I know.