The Secret to Edging Your Lawn

You take pride in your lawn. And with good reasons. There are few sights as satisfying as a lush, evenly trimmed lawn.  

However, one of the most neglected areas of the lawn is the hard-to-reach edges.  

The truth is, your lawn might be as green as it can be, but if you do not know how to properly tend to the edges, it will just look sloppy.  

Each time you trim your lawn, you must consider the grass along the edge of walkways, driveways, and other areas your standard mower cannot easily reach.  

While many homeowners overlook these areas to save time, the truth is that properly edging your lawn does not take all that much extra time or effort. Anyone can do it in just a few minutes when they use the proper tools.  

In this post, we will give you some tips to help you edge your lawn like a pro.  

Life on the Edge 

Trimming the edges of your lawn and walkways may seem like a relatively minor detail, but the truth is that untidy edges can give the impression of an untidy lawn. That’s the last thing you want.  

Below we have created a list of tips to help you edge your lawn like the pros.  

Edge directly after mowing.  

It might seem obvious, but it needs to be said. The most efficient way to edge your lawn is to do it directly after mowing.  

You might be tempted to edge before you mow (especially if the edging is a task you dread), but we strongly urge you to avoid doing this. You will find that after mowing there will still be askew blades of grass that you missed.  

If you edge before mowing, then you will have to edge twice.  

Don’t jump the gun and don’t take it off, the edge immediately after mowing.  

Plan your path. 

This tip is key if you have especially complex edges in your yard. Devise a linear path that allows you to efficiently edge your lawn.  

You won't want to walk back and forth across your lawn to hit every hard-to-reach spot. Get all the edges in one fell swoop.   

Choose the right tool for the job. 

Choose an edger, either powered or manual.  

Powered edgers allow you to get the job done quickly, but they lack control.  

Manual trimmers allow you to be more precise in your cuts, but the process is time-consuming and taxing on your forearms.  

String trimmers (or weed whackers) are the most common type of powered edgers. 

Dual wheel rotary edgers and edging shears are the most common option for manual edgers.  

Use safety gear. 

The number of people who put their bodies at risk by foregoing safety gear is staggering. Don't be one of them.  

When you edge your lawn wear a pair of protective gloves and safety goggles.  

Edge your lawn.  

The most important step is time to edge your lawn.  

Make sure you know where the major hazards are. Electrical wiring, plumbing, or other buried materials should all be considered when you edge your lawn.  

Your string trimmer should be used at a 180-degree vertical angle for maximum effect. With the deflector shield facing your body, walk to the edge of your lawn. Allow the machine to do the work and avoid any wrist or shoulder movements.  

Keep your arms straight, your core engaged, and the trimmer level. Most string trimmers spin counterclockwise, so you should move from left to right. If your trimmer moves clockwise, trim from right to left.  

For manual trimmers, drive the head of your tool straight down into the ground and press with your foot so the lip at the bottom contacts the soil. Make sure it is completely straight and vertical. Rock the trimmer back and forth, and gently pulls the handle up to remove it.  

For both powered and manual trimmers, your cut should be about two inches deep.  

A Clean Lawn is an Edged Lawn 

One of the best ways to ensure your lawn is tidy and presentable, edging your lawn is a necessary step in every homeowner’s lawn maintenance routine.  !