Spending the time to edge your lawn correctly is essential if you care about how it looks. If you don’t do this, even a freshly mowed lawn will have an untidy appearance. Trying to clean your clothes without detergent illustrates how this approach falls short.
Whether it’s a stone walkway or a flower bed, edging your lawn can draw attention to the best parts of your landscape design. Luckily, you don’t need to hire a pro to get decent results. You can go to any hardware store and pick up a manual or electric edger to get started right away.
But before you jump in, make sure you’re well protected with boots, pants, and goggles against the debris the edger might kick up. Of course, no amount of edging will save a lawn that has been neglected, so make sure the grass is healthy and vibrant before you begin the process.
How To Edge A Lawn: Guide To Lawn Edging
Lawn edging is a crucial part of keeping your garden looking neat and tidy. Lawn edging is the practise of trimming or shaping grass at the edge of a lawn or other cultivated area, such as a patio, stone path, or flower bed. The grass can be contained with the help of physical edging such as stone borders or metal sheeting.
While not everyone appreciates a perfectly square lawn, edging can give your garden the distinction it needs. In order to set your lawn apart from the surrounding landscape, you can alter its shape by cutting, digging, and filling. This frees up the space that would otherwise be taken up by grass so that you can use it for something else, like flower beds, mulch, or river rock.
Edging is a fun and rewarding do-it-yourself project that can be done in the summer. A little work can go a long way towards improving the overall appearance of your garden and lawn. To avoid injury while working, always wear protective clothing and equipment, such as boots, pants, and goggles.
Why Should You Edge Your Lawn?
Lawn edging has benefits beyond just improving the lawn’s aesthetics. You should edge your lawn for the following reasons:
- If you have a lawn with warm-season creeping grasses like Kikuyu, Buffalo, or Couch, then you should edge it to keep it from encroaching on and shading out your ornamentals, fruit trees, and vegetables. Having a well-defined border between your lawn and garden makes it easier to care for your plants and reduces the risk of lawn disease.
- By edging your lawn, you can prevent the grass from spilling out onto the sidewalks and roads, where it could cause accidents. If you demarcate the lawn’s edge from these spaces, the grass won’t creep in and make them dangerously slick or difficult to navigate. This may become crucial in slick or rainy weather.
- By physically separating the lawn from the garden beds and other non-lawn areas, lawn edging can help prevent weed growth. If weeds do manage to sprout up around the lawn’s perimeter, they can be pulled out without damaging the grass. In addition to reducing the likelihood of an infestation and subsequent damage to your lawn and garden, edging can also deter pests that prefer unmanicured areas.
Lawn edging isn’t something that needs to be done every time you mow the grass. But during the spring and summer, when the lawn is actively growing, more frequent edging will be required. A variety of manual and powered lawn edging tools are available to make the process even less of a chore.
What is a Lawn Edger?
A lawn edger is a tool used in gardening to cut a clean edge along the border between a lawn or other ground cover and a hard surface such as a sidewalk, driveway, or garden bed. Lawn edgers can be either manually operated or powered by a motor.
Pushing and cutting into the ground with physical force is typically required for a manual lawn edger, while a rotating blade or string trimmer is used by motorised edgers to create a defined edge. Both manual and electric lawn edgers are great for defining a clean trench-like edge between your grass and hardscape.
Motorized edgers
Both corded and cordless variations of electric edgers are on the market. Corded electric edgers can only be used in yards that are close to an electrical outlet. Cordless electric edgers, on the other hand, are battery-operated, making them more practical for use on larger lawns. They typically make less noise than gas-powered edgers and don’t release any harmful gases. They may not be as effective, and they may need charging in use.
Manual Edgers
Manual edgers, which come in a variety of styles, may be more time-consuming and labor-intensive to use, but they produce cleaner, straighter lines.
- Edgers for landscaping are available in both electric and manual varieties, with the latter featuring a footrest on either side and a half-moon-shaped steel blade at the end of a 3- to 4-foot-long shaft. They may take more time and energy to complete physically, but the results may be more precise. The wooden shafts of some hand edgers are more lightweight than their steel counterparts. These implements can be used to cut the grass and sod that has grown over sidewalks, driveways, and paths, as well as around flower beds.
- Dual-wheel rotary edgers have a rubber wheel with a serrated blade attached to it on one side. The grass that creeps up along the sides of sidewalks and driveways is no match for the serrated blade. The wheel on the other side of the edger rolls along the grass to keep it steady and in place.
- Small, precise cutting jobs like removing weeds or trimming grass from the border of a lawn or garden bed are ideal for edging shears. They shine in smaller, more precise jobs, but might not be the best choice for more extensive edging tasks.
Trimmers
Grass trimmers, which also go by the names whipper snipper and weed whacker, may feature a vertically-rotatable cutting head for use in an edging mode. The rotating nylon line in these edgers makes short work of grass, weeds, and other encroachments.
For more difficult tasks, a mowing line head can be attached to some brush cutters in addition to the standard blade. There are grass trimmers that run on electricity, batteries, or gasoline. For smaller jobs, an electric or battery-powered trimmer is preferable, while a gasoline-powered model is more practical.
Grass should be tapered along fences and retaining walls, and driveways and paths should have string strung at a vertical angle. Begin trimming away from the grass and work your way inward from the edge to achieve clean cuts.
Preparing to Edge Your Lawn
The first step in edging your lawn is settling on the style and form you prefer. Lawns can be designed to end on a strip of bare soil or mulch, to curve around the trunks of large trees, or to abut an existing flowerbed or piece of hardscape.
Straight or curved, a permanent edging installed from rubber, steel, cement, or pavers can help tame unruly edges.
After settling on a particular cut, the next step is to choose the right edging tool. A manual edger may be the best choice for those who have a small garden and the time and energy to do the work by hand. People with bigger gardens or less free time may find that a mechanical edger is more convenient.
Edging Lawn in Simple Steps
Mow Your Lawn
Lawn mowing is a good first step before edging because it removes the bulk of the grass and weeds from the area. A lawn that has been recently mowed also looks better. To cut the grass short in inaccessible areas, you can use equipment like an edge trimmer or weed wacker.
Plan The Path
If you’re just getting started edging, it’s a good idea to use tape, a hose, or a rope to mark out your intended route so you know exactly where to make your cuts. However, spray paint is not recommended because it may not be precise or may be distorted by the wind. However, if you’re only going to be edging along sidewalks, you might not need to draw a line.
Begin Edging Your Lawn
It’s crucial to keep a firm grip on your edger if you want to edge your lawn precisely and without incident. Position yourself so that you can take slow, steady steps forwards while keeping a firm grip on the tool. You might have to use your abs to stay steady. If you go too fast, you risk losing control and ruining your work on the edges.
Starting at one end and working your way to the other is the optimal strategy for edging a straight line. Using this method, you can make sharper contours. On the other hand, if you’re dealing with a curved edge, you’re free to pick your own starting point. You can begin in the midst and make your way to either end, then circle back to the centre and make your way to the opposite end.
If you’ve never used an edger before, the backyard is a good place to get started. Because of this, you can make blunders without fear of repercussions. The front yard should be your next edging challenge after you’ve mastered the back.
Edge The Perimeter
Before you begin edging your lawn, make sure there are no buried wires or pipes that could be damaged in the process. Keep a safe distance from them while using the edger to prevent accidentally cutting into them.
You should also practise edging on a smaller section of your lawn before moving on to the larger one. You can get used to the tool’s motions and how to control it if you do this. You should select a hidden corner of your lawn or your backyard for this exercise.
Edging With A String Trimmer
When edging your lawn, turn the trimmer’s head 90 degrees so that the deflector shield is facing you. When edging, walk on the pavement or driveway.
Maintain correct form by holding the string trimmer at chest level, keeping your arms at your sides, and engaging your core. You can use this to make a straighter line. You should also pay attention to the axis of rotation of your string trimmer and move accordingly. Since the string on most string trimmers rotates clockwise, you should trim from left to right so that the clippings can fall back onto the grass.
Use a depth of about 2 inches, whether you’re using a powered or manual edger.
Edging With A Manual Edger
Manual edgers are used in a manner analogous to that of a shovel. With your feet, firmly plant the edger into the ground so that the lip at the bottom makes contact with the ground. It’s crucial to maintain perfect straightness if you want a crisp finish. After that, rock the edger from side to side and raise the handle slowly and carefully.
Pause And Observe Your Work
Take frequent breaks while edging your lawn to assess your progress. This will help you see the big picture and catch any errors, such as crooked lines or shaky curves, that need fixing. If you make a mistake while edging, correct it and keep going.
Edge Garden Beds
Manual edgers are preferable for use along curved garden beds because of the smoother edges they can create. First, outline the area that needs to be edged, just as you would when edging a perimeter by hand. Take your time and make sure your movements are deliberate if you want to get the results you want.
Store Your Tools
The longevity of your edging tools depends on how you keep them stored after each use. If you leave them in the yard, they may get broken or lost. When it comes to stowing away your edging tool, make sure to consult the owner’s manual. This will keep your equipment in working order and ready for use whenever you need it.
Clean Up Debris
Clean your trimmer, edger, or edging shears thoroughly after you’re done edging to remove any traces of grass, soil, or other debris. Any debris should be removed with a stiff brush before it dries and hardens, making it difficult to use the tool again. Tools can be kept in good working condition and for longer if they are cleaned after use.
Enjoy Your Newly-edged Curb Appeal
Now that you’ve put away your tools and given your lawn a good once-over, you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Landscape edging can greatly improve the visual appeal of your yard by creating clean, well-defined borders. The effort you put into edging your lawn has paid off in the form of a neat and well-kept appearance.
Tips For Maintaining Your Lawn
- Trimming should come before mowing when it comes to lawn care. Before you start mowing the lawn, you should use a string trimmer to get rid of the overgrown grass and weeds. To avoid the hassle and potential for an uneven cut when mowing down taller grass, it’s best to trim it down to size first.
- If you want your power edger to last as long as possible and cause no damage to your concrete or brick walkways, you should only use it for lawn edging.
- Edge slowly and carefully. The results are well worth the time invested if you take your time and focus on the end goal rather than trying to get it done as quickly as possible.
- If you want to keep your trimming path clear, make sure your trimmer is spinning in the right direction. Trimming can be tricky if you can’t see where you’re going because clippings keep falling in the way. Position the trimmer so that the cuttings fly away from the area you are working in. If the trimmer is rotating anticlockwise, for instance, trimmings should be redirected away from the cutting path by keeping the right side close to the edge.
- It’s not enough to just mow your lawn on a regular basis; you also need to edge it. You don’t have to edge every time you mow, but doing so on a regular basis will make your work much simpler and quicker.
- Depending on the context, you may find that a gentle incline is more suitable than a sharp one. Hold your trimmer vertically along the edge to make a crisp, straight line along paths, driveways, and other parallel surfaces. However, if you want a more natural, blended look for edges close to fences and walls, try holding your trimmer at an angle.diminishing returns.
- You need to mow at the right height for your grass type if you want to keep your lawn looking good. The one-third rule states that each time you mow, you should cut off no more than a third of the grass blade’s height. As a result, the grass is protected from stress and can flourish, making for a more beautiful lawn.
- Mower blades need to be sharpened regularly to ensure a flourishing lawn. Frayed edges caused by dull blades leave the lawn vulnerable to disease and can cause it to turn brown.
- When the grass is dry, you can cut it more efficiently. When grass is wet, it’s more difficult to get a clean cut and the clippings tend to stick together. Furthermore, diseases can spread more easily if grass is mowed while wet.
- In a word, yes. If you always mow in the same direction, you risk compacting the soil and encouraging the grass to lean in one direction. Alternating directions keeps the grass from leaning and promotes even growth.
- After you mow your lawn, leave some of the shorter, finer clippings on the lawn to decompose and enrich the soil. But you should pick up the clippings so they don’t smother your grass.
- Before using, be sure to familiarise yourself with the product’s labelled safety precautions and operating instructions.
Conclusion
Lawn edging is a crucial part of keeping a garden looking neat and tidy. It is the practise of trimming or shaping grass at the edge of a lawn or other cultivated area, such as a patio, stone path, or flower bed.
Edging can give your garden the distinction it needs by altering its shape by cutting, digging, and filling. It is a fun and rewarding do-it-yourself project that can go a long way towards improving the overall appearance of your garden and lawn. Wear protective clothing and equipment to avoid injury while working.
Lawn edging is essential for lawns with warm-season creeping grasses to prevent it from encroaching on ornamentals, fruit trees, and vegetables. It also helps prevent weed growth and deter pests.
Manual and powered lawn edging tools are available to make the process easier. A lawn edger is a tool used to cut a clean edge along the border between a lawn or other ground cover and a hard surface such as a sidewalk, driveway, or garden bed. Manual and electric lawn edgers are great for defining a clean trench-like edge between grass and hardscape.
Motorised edgers are corded and cordless, while manual edgers are more time-consuming and labor-intensive. Edging shears are ideal for small, precise cutting jobs, while trimmers feature a vertically-rotatable cutting head for use in an edging mode.
Corded electric edgers can only be used in yards close to an electrical outlet, while cordless electric edgers are battery-operated and don’t release any harmful gases.
The most important details are that grass trimmers can be electric, battery-powered, or gasoline-powered. Grass should be tapered along fences and retaining walls, and driveways and paths should have string strung at a vertical angle.
The first step in edging is to decide on the style and form of the lawn, and then choose the right edging tool. Mow your lawn to remove the bulk of the grass and weeds from the area. Mark out your intended route with tape, a hose, or a rope.
Begin edging your lawn by keeping a firm grip on the edger. Start at one end and work your way to the other.
Practice edging on a smaller section of your lawn before moving on to the larger one. Edging with a string trimmer involves turning the trimmer’s head 90 degrees and walking on the pavement or driveway.
Manual edgers are used in a manner analogous to that of a shovel. Breaks should be taken to assess progress and catch any errors. Manual edgers are preferable for use along curved garden beds.
Tools should be stored properly and cleaned up thoroughly after use. The most important details in this text are that landscape edging can greatly improve the visual appeal of a yard by creating clean, well-defined borders. Before mowing the lawn, it is best to use a string trimmer to get rid of the overgrown grass and weeds. It is important to take your time and focus on the end goal rather than trying to get it done as quickly as possible. It is also important to hold the trimmer vertically along the edge to make a crisp, straight line along paths, driveways, and other parallel surfaces, or at an angle for edges close to fences and walls.
The one-third rule states that each time you mow, you should cut off no more than a third of the grass blade’s height. Mower blades need to be sharpened regularly to ensure a flourishing lawn. When the grass is dry, it is easier to get a clean cut.
Alternating directions keeps the grass from leaning and promotes even growth. Before using, familiarise yourself with the product’s safety precautions and operating instructions.
Content Summary
- Edging your lawn is essential if you care about how it looks.
- Even if you freshly mow your lawn, without edging, it will still have an untidy appearance.
- Edging draws attention to the best parts of your landscape design.
- Physical edging such as stone borders or metal sheeting can help to contain the grass.
- Edging can give your garden the distinction it needs.
- Altering the shape of your lawn by cutting, digging, and filling can help free up space for something else, like flower beds, mulch, or river rock.
- Lawn edging is a fun and rewarding do-it-yourself project that can be done in the summer.
- Wear protective clothing and equipment, such as boots, pants, and goggles, while edging.
- A well-defined border between your lawn and garden makes it easier to care for your plants and reduces the risk of lawn disease.
- Edging can prevent grass from spilling out onto the sidewalks and roads, where it could cause accidents.
- Lawn edging can help prevent weed growth.
- Edging can deter pests that prefer unmanicured areas.
- Lawn edging isn’t something that needs to be done every time you mow the grass.
- During the spring and summer, when the lawn is actively growing, more frequent edging will be required.
- A lawn edger is a tool used in gardening to cut a clean edge along the border between a lawn or other ground cover and a hard surface.
- Lawn edgers can be either manually operated or powered by a motor.
- A rotating blade or string trimmer is used by motorized edgers to create a defined edge.
- Cordless electric edgers are battery-operated, making them more practical for use on larger lawns.
- Manual edgers, which come in a variety of styles, produce cleaner, straighter lines.
- Edgers for landscaping are available in both electric and manual varieties.
- The wooden shafts of some hand edgers are more lightweight than their steel counterparts.
- Dual-wheel rotary edgers have a rubber wheel with a serrated blade attached to it on one side.
- Lawn edging has benefits beyond just improving the lawn’s aesthetics.
- Edging can prevent grass from shading out ornamentals, fruit trees, and vegetables.
- Edging can prevent the grass from spilling out onto the sidewalks and roads, where it could cause accidents.
- Lawn edging can help prevent weed growth.
- Edging can deter pests that prefer unmanicured areas.
- Cordless electric edgers typically make less noise than gas-powered edgers and don’t release any harmful gases.
- Manual edgers may take more time and energy to complete physically, but the results may be more precise.
- Hand edgers can be used to cut the grass and sod that has grown over sidewalks, driveways, and paths, as well as around flower beds.
FAQs About Lawn Edging
Is It Better To Edge The Lawn When Wet Or Dry?
It’s better to edge your lawn when it’s slightly wet. If you wet your lawn before edging, it can help reduce dust particles. Which results in cleaner air and better visibility during the process. So, spray a light mist of water on your lawn before edging for that perfect crisp edge!
How Many Times Should You Edge Your Lawn?
It’s also a tad easier to do earlier in the season before the grass is lush and thick. Typically, you’ll need to edge once a year, though some homeowners like to refresh the look later in the season.
Do I Mow Or Edge First?
If you maintain a beautifully manicured lawn at a low height, mowing frequently sometimes more than once a week, then you are likely to mow first. You give the lawn a haircut and then you give it that crisp edge to finish it off.
Should You Mow Before Or After Edging?
If your lawn is overgrown and full of weeds, mow before edging. So, you can remove a thick layer of grass that would otherwise make it hard to edge. This also helps to keep the edges neat and clear. If the length of your grass is short and tidy, then it’s likely better to start with edging.
How Wide Should Edging Be?
Narrow edging may require more upkeep, while thicker edging may need less. The best dimensions to keep grass roots and weeds from invading your garden are 6 inches deep, 6 inches wide, and a few inches above the lawn’s surface.
