Lawn edging creates a sharp, clean visual separation between a lawn and adjacent landscape elements like flower beds, sidewalks, or driveways. This technique elevates a property’s curb appeal, giving it a manicured appearance. Edging also establishes a physical boundary to prevent turfgrass runners and roots from spreading into unintended areas, keeping garden beds and hardscapes neat.
Selecting the Right Tools and Materials
Achieving a defined edge begins with selecting the appropriate equipment for the task. For smaller areas or the initial deep cut, manual tools are effective, such as the half-moon edger or a flat-backed spade, which use downward pressure to slice through the sod. Manual rotary edgers, featuring a spiked wheel, offer an easier motion for maintaining straight lines but require physical effort.
For larger properties, a powered stick edger is the preferred option, utilizing a vertically spinning metal blade to cut a precise, deep line. String trimmers, often called weed whackers, are not true edgers but can be used vertically for quick maintenance passes on existing lines. Additionally, non-cutting materials like rigid metal, plastic, or stone barriers can be installed underground to permanently hold the edge’s shape and reduce root encroachment.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Crisp Edge
Before making the first cut, prepare the area by clearing away debris or loose soil to ensure a clean working surface. If establishing a new line, mark it clearly; a taut string line is best for straight edges, while a garden hose works well for visualizing smooth curves. This marking helps maintain a consistent distance from the adjacent element.
The primary cut should be firm, using a spade or half-moon edger to push straight down, establishing a clean, 90-degree vertical plane into the soil. For a more defined trench, follow this vertical cut with another pass at a 45-degree angle from the bed side, creating a V-shaped void. After establishing the cut line, remove the loose soil and severed turfgrass pieces to create a shallow trench, defining the new boundary.
Techniques for Different Landscape Areas
The technique used depends on whether the lawn meets a rigid surface or a soft garden bed. When edging against hard surfaces like concrete sidewalks or asphalt driveways, the goal is a perfectly vertical cut to sever stray grass blades and roots. A dedicated stick edger is ideal, with its guide wheel running along the hard surface to ensure precision and a consistently straight line.
Conversely, edging against a soft surface, such as a flower bed or mulched area, requires creating a defined trench, often called a “moat.” This is best done with a spade or half-moon edger, cutting at a 45-degree angle from the garden side to create a deep, concave void. This trench acts as a physical barrier, interrupting the horizontal growth of turfgrass stolons and rhizomes, preventing the grass from creeping into the bed soil.
Maintaining and Preserving the Edge
Once a crisp edge is established, regular maintenance is required to preserve the sharp lines. During the peak growing season, hard edges along driveways may need a quick touch-up every week, as fast-growing turf like Bermuda or Zoysia can quickly cross the line. Soft edges bordering garden beds typically require re-cutting every two to four weeks to maintain the V-trench’s integrity.
A string trimmer, held vertically with the string line parallel to the edge, is an excellent tool for frequent, light touch-ups. It trims new grass growth without the effort of a full re-cut. Additionally, pay regular attention to soil management, ensuring that soil and mulch do not fall back into the trench, which allows the grass to re-establish a foothold. Consistent, light maintenance is easier than allowing the edge to disappear and having to re-cut the line.