How to Edge a Lawn

Proper landscaping means understanding the difference between edging and trimming. With edging, an actual cut is made in the lawn. This “edge” puts a line between the grass and borders or sidewalks. 

Trimming is cutting grass in spaces where your lawn mower can’t reach, such as against a wall or fence. The tools for edging a lawn and the ones for trimming a lawn can be different. Below are several manual and power tools you can use to properly edge or trim a lawn. 

String trimmers are available in gas, electric and corded or cordless models. Some come in kits with attachments to tackle different tasks.

• Gas string trimmers are great for larger lawns and can be used when the ground is damp, while electric trimmers are lightweight and more environmentally friendly.
• Cordless string trimmers usually run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. This makes them both lightweight and portable. Maintenance is minimal.

A wheeled lawn edger cuts edges quickly and efficiently, up to 90 feet per minute. It’s user-friendly, with fingertip controls and a ratchet-arm with a height adjustment feature.  

• A bed edger lets you define and create flower beds in your landscape. Its zero-turn steering makes shaping borders easy.
• Edging shears are ideal for snipping away grass in awkward places such as stepping stones or around garden beds.

Tip: A string trimmer works well for curves while edging shears may be best for garden paths or small patios. 

For complicated or curvy projects, consider marking the edging areas with stakes and string. Start at the perimeter and work your way inward. For large, relatively flat areas, try to begin and end at the same point for a more efficient result.

Safety Tip: Make sure to wear gloves to protect your hands and always wear safety glasses. Use ear protection such as plugs when operating power tools. 

Lawn edgers cut a trench between the grass and hedges or other areas using a very sharp blade. A lawn edger is a tool that you can use to trim the grass on the very edge of a lawn or flowerbed that the lawnmower may not be able to reach. They work really well when figuring out how to edge a sidewalk or keep grass from growing over a walkway. 

Tip: Be careful when edging around rocks, mailboxes or other obstacles to avoid damaging the blade.

A string trimmer can be used to edge a lawn or maintain it. Here’s how to keep lawn edges neat: 

• Start using your string trimmer to slowly edge the border of your yard. Follow the existing lawn outline. If there’s no clear outline established, follow the path of your driveway, sidewalk or walkway.
• Focus on grass that has overgrown onto the sidewalk and/or driveway.
• Work carefully or use a lower speed around curved areas and near flower beds or stone pavers.
• If you are sensitive to grass, pollen and other landscape debris, wear a face mask to shield your nose and mouth.

Budget-friendly, a manual edger can have a straight blade or one shaped like a half circle. It works like a shovel and cuts deeply into the soil. Manual rotary edgers have spiked wheels for cleaner cutting. Using a manual edger requires a lot of muscle power to create a clean, crisp edge. Unlike power tools, it can be used anywhere and anytime.

Hardscapes edging, such as pavers, will give your entire landscape a finished look. Pavers come in a variety of colors and shapes to match the look of your home.

• Create a boundary along the border of your sidewalk and along mulched areas.
• You can set the pavers on top of the ground using a paver base. Or you can dig a trench and put the pavers in so they are level with the surrounding ground. Installing pavers this way makes it easier to mow.
• Maintain the look with routine edging with a string trimmer.

Hedges make great borders. Keep them well-maintained so you won't have to remove large amounts of foliage at any one time. 

• After you groom the perimeter, focus on any existing shrubs and bushes. Prune any excess foliage with hand shears or hedge trimmers.
• Make sure to work in small sections so you can keep the shapes even.
• For smaller yards, consider placing new shrubs along the front of your house, near the mailbox or down the walkway.

Tip: A compatible assortment of evergreen shrubbery is a great way to create edging for a lawn.

Keep the edges of your lawn and planting beds looking good with regular maintenance. Fortunately, Edging a lawn is less time-consuming after the initial trim. A few things to keep in mind:

• How often you’ll need to mow and tidy the edges depends on the time of year, the size of your lawn and how often you fertilize.
• Start with weekly touch-ups to see how quickly the grass grows and then adjust your schedule accordingly.
• Once the lawn has been mowed and edged, treat any weeds with a lawn weed killer that also preserves your grass. Always follow the directions on your product for how much to use and how often to apply it.
• If you plan to lay new sod or grass seed over any sparse areas, read the label on your product to see how long you should wait after applying the weed killer.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands.

No edging or trimming job is complete without a thorough clean up. If you allow the clippings and other debris to build up, they can become a fertile spot for grass and weeds to grow. Use a leaf blower to disperse clippings into the lawn or sweep them up with a broom. Removing debris also gives your landscaped lawn a final polished look.