Making a perfect lawn does not simply depend on mowing. Edging a lawn will make your yard look professional and clean, prevent the grass to creep on flower beds or walkways, and make the total care of the lawn much easier. Be it a novice or a seasoned gardener, this is a guide that will provide you with all you would require to know about how to edge a lawn perfectly with various tools and methods. DNR Landscaping have professionals who can do that for you.
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What is Lawn Edging?
he process of outlining the cost of your grass against other portions, like a garden bed, pathways, or a driveway is known as edging your lawn. Edging unlike simple mowing leaves a clear boundary between your lawn and any other landscaping features. The most appropriate forms of lawn edges are straight edges where formal gardens are considered, curved edges where there is a natural appearance and raised or sunken which is functional separation of soil and grass.
Edging the lawn properly is not only a way of improving the beauty of the garden but it can also help to save your plants and keep your grass in better condition because the grass would not creep into unequal areas.
Why You Should Edge Your Lawn
It is possible to conclude that there are several reasons to focus on how to edge a lawn in your garden care routine. Firstly, it enhances curb appeal greatly making your yard look good in a professional manner. Second, it produces healthier turf by avoiding invasion of grass into flower beds, pathways or driveways, which lowers competition of nutrients and water. Mowing and trimming is also easier and quicker since the mower and the trimmer are easier to use in the edge. Lastly, it will help to avoid the long-term problems such as land erosion and overgrowth along the hardscape routes, which will make sure that your lawn is tidy and within control throughout the year.
Tools Needed for Edging a Lawn
The selection of the appropriate tools would rely on the size of your lawn and the type of edging you intend to obtain.
Manual Tools for Lawn Edging
Small lawns, tight spots, or precision work are best suited to manual tools. A half-moon edger will be very useful in making straight or slightly curved lines. You can use a spade or garden knife to cut straight cuts along the beds and paths and you can use edging shears to make a touch up around flower beds or sidewalks. With such instruments, you will be able to get a clean and sharp line without using power tools.
Powered Tools for Lawn Edging
Powered tools are time-saving and less physically demanding when used in bigger lawns. Lawn edger machines, which are either gas powered, corded, or battery powered are also wonderful in producing long and straight edges in a short period. Also, a weed wacker or a string trimmer can be employed to follow the contours and places that are difficult to access. With these tools properly used, you will be able to have a consistent outcome throughout your lawn.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Edge a Lawn
Preparing Your Lawn
Get your lawn mowed to a good size first. The shorter grass is easier to see the edge line and makes sure that you have a perfect cut. This is necessary in case you are edging a lawn by hand or with power tool equipment.
Marking the Edge Line
Trace your edges with string, garden hose or chalk. It is essential especially in curved or complex parts which will allow you to keep the line constant and prevent errors. When the edging is complete, proper planning is done to make sure that the look is polished.
Techniques for Edging a Lawn
How to Edge a Lawn With an Edger
When working with lawn edger, place the blade on the line that you have marked. Maintain the blade at right angles to the surface so as to make a straight vertical cut. Go slowly forward, allowing the machine to cut the grass and the soil along the edge. Each time go round trim off any unnecessary clipping to have a clean line.
How to Edge a Lawn With a Weed Wacker
Weed wacker may be used to give you a neat edge when applied vertically along your line of boundary. Keep the tool steady and then move in slow motion or the trimmer will slice the grass in a clean manner. You can periodically tilt the trimmer in order to cut off all the extraneous grass and get an even edge. This is a good technique especially when the edges are curved or in places where a machine edger may not reach.
How to Edge a Lawn With a Trimmer
In order to trim the edges, it is necessary to hold the tool in an upright position along the edge. Make smooth movements and do not hurry because you will get an irregular or jagged edge. The trimmer will be perfect in cutting edges to make no fats or lines along walkways, driveways, and flower beds.
How to Edge a Lawn by Hand
The hand edging of a lawn provides the greatest amount of control and precision. The edge line is cut using a half-moon edger or a spade. Use your foot to push down and make a vertical cut and clean away the soil that is moved or grass clumps. Hand edging is ideal in smaller lawns, in areas of detail, or areas that require additional care and attention.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Edging a Lawn
Experienced gardeners can also be wrong when trimming a lawn. Do not cut too deep and this may cause harm to the grass and soil form. Irregular motion or lack of care in curves may cause jagged and irregular edges. Lastly, the presence of clippings around the edge may give it a sloppy look and hinder the regeneration. These details are important to pay attention to, so that it will be a neat and professional outcome.
Maintaining Your Lawn Edges
To ensure that your lawn looks sharp and healthy, trim your lawn twice or thrice every two or four weeks in your growing season. Quickly trim garden walks or hedges using hand shears or a trimmer. During winter, it is best to avoid the edging of the frozen soil because of damage. Mowing and routine grunts and scraps eliminate overgrowth and maintain your lawn with a neat appearance throughout the entire year.
Installing Permanent Lawn Edging
In the long run, an option would be to install permanent edging. A permanent barrier can be made between grass and other spaces using a strip of steel or aluminum, or even a strip made of plastic or natural stone. Permanent edging minimizes the number of times that the trimming process is required and offers a uniform and professional look without having to do it manually all the time.
FAQs About How To Edge A Lawn?
Do you edge a lawn before or after mowing?
Better to trim your lawn by mowing because the shorter the grass, the more definite the cuts will be and the line delimiting the lawn will be visible.
Can a string trimmer give a clean lawn edge?
Yes, a trimmer may give a sharp and clean cut, as it is worked, slowly, along the line.
What is the best tool for curved edges?
A weed wacker or string trimmer is best used in curves and a hand edger is best used in tight or detail areas.