How to Install Lawn Edging: 10 Easy Steps to Edge a Lawn
To get a perfect lawn, regular care like watering and mowing is important, but trimming and shaping are also key. Mowing keeps your lawn even, while edging gives it a neat, clean look. Edging involves creating a clear line between your lawn and other areas like walkways or flower beds.
If you’re planning to create, extend, or reshape your lawn and need to establish an edge, this blog post has all the information for you to learn how to install lawn edging properly.
What is lawn edging?
Lawn edging creates a clear boundary between the lawn and other areas like flower beds, walkways, or driveways. This process helps define the shape of the lawn, giving it a neater and more organized appearance.
Various materials can be used for lawn edging, including plastic or metal strips, bricks, stones, or even plants and shrubs. The choice of edging material depends on the garden’s style and design. Proper edging prevents grass from spreading into unwanted areas and makes mowing and trimming easier by providing a clear boundary.
Why do we need to install lawn edging?
If you don’t keep it in check, grass can easily spread into cracks in walkways, pavement, and landscape beds. Knowing how to install lawn edging lets you create a clean barrier that stops grass from growing where it shouldn’t. A good lawn edging in the spring and regular upkeep will save you time and keep your yard looking tidy and complete.
Benefits of lawn edging:
- Provides a clean, manicured look to your lawn.
- Enhances your home’s curb appeal.
- Adds instant value to your landscaping with minimal cost.
- Significantly reduces trimming time.
- Preventing invasive grass from creeping into flower beds.
- Offers a clear visual separation between different landscaping elements.
- Creates a pleasing contrast between the house, garden beds, and lawns.
What materials are used to install lawn edging?
There are many edging materials available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, making them better suited for specific landscapes.
4 most commonly used edging materials:
- Plastic edging
- Metal edging
- Stone edging
- Wood edging
Plastic edging
Plastic edging is a budget-friendly and effective option for those wanting to achieve a polished look without overspending. It’s easy to install, making it accessible for anyone with basic gardening skills to enhance their garden with a sleek, modern appearance.
However, plastic edging may not be as durable as other materials, such as metal. It can become brittle and lose its shape, especially when exposed to harsh weather conditions over time.
Metal edging
Metal landscape edging is a popular choice for modern landscape designs due to its durability and longevity. Available in various materials (aluminum, stainless, galvanized) it requires minimal maintenance, making it a hassle-free option. But, it tends to be pricier than other alternatives and may be prone to rust or corrosion over time.
Stone edging
Stone landscape edging is a stylish choice for enhancing your garden or lawn, offering an elegant and timeless appeal. With a wide variety of styles and colors, stone edging can elevate the look of any outdoor space. It’s also known for its durability, maintaining its appearance for many years.
Stone edging tends to be more expensive than other materials and often requires professional installation, adding to the overall cost. Additionally, maintenance can be challenging, as dirt and debris can accumulate in the gaps between the stones.
Wood edging
Wood borders are a great option for adding a natural touch to your outdoor decor. They’re affordable and easy to install, plus they can be stained or painted to match any color scheme. However, wood is less durable than other materials and needs regular maintenance to keep it in good condition.
What tools should you use to install lawn edging?
When deciding to install lawn edging, you can choose between manual and automated tools. 3 main factors to consider: the total meters of edging needed, the time you have available for the task, and your budget.
3 lawn edging tools you can think about:
- Manual edging tools
- Mechanical edging tools
- Trimmers
Manual edging tools
Manual edging tools are the cheapest choice, with most priced under $100. These tools, like edging shears and long-handled grass shears, may take more time and effort to use, but they offer greater precision.
They also require minimal maintenance and can be easily stored with your other gardening tools. Shears are particularly useful for handling tricky areas like stepping stones or garden beds.
Mechanical edging tools
Mechanical edging tools are available in various types, including those powered by petrol, battery, or electricity.
Their advantages are these tools often come with adjustable blade heights, making them useful for setting edges at different levels, like at ground level or slightly below. They’re particularly effective for larger jobs and can make quick work of extensive edging.
However, their disadvantages are they tend to be more expensive, with some petrol models costing up to $700, and they also require ongoing maintenance and replacement blades. These tools can be loud, may scatter dirt if not equipped with a guard, and their weight can make them challenging for some users.
Trimmers
Some grass trimmers, often referred to as whipper snippers or weed whackers, come with an edging mode that allows the head to rotate into a vertical position, making them suitable for lawn edging.
These trimmers are available in electric, battery, and petrol-powered models. Those are electric or battery powered, more suitable for smaller areas, and the petrol-powered ones are better for larger jobs. The goal with these tools is to ensure the string remains vertical along driveways and paths, and angled to taper grass along fences and retaining walls.
If you’re unsure which tools are best for your needs, it’s a good idea to consult with landscape professionals before you install lawn edging.
How often should you install lawn edging?
In general, it’s recommended to install your lawn edging at least once a month during the growing season to keep your lawn tidy and prevent grass from encroaching into other areas.
But, if you have a larger lawn or numerous landscaping features, more frequent edging may be necessary to maintain a well-kept appearance. On the other hand, a smaller lawn with fewer features may require less frequent edging.
Also, the materials you use for lawn edging can affect how often you need to edge. For instance, using physical barriers like bricks or stones might reduce the need for edging to just once or twice a season.
Related:
What is Xeriscape Landscaping? 5 Benefits and 4 Drawbacks of Xeriscaping
Landscape Maintenance Services Explained: What’s Included and Why It Matters
17 Low-Maintenance Front Yard Landscaping Ideas to Transform Your Home’s Curb Appeal
How to install lawn edging: 10 easy steps for you to follow
Installing lawn edging is crucial for preventing erosion, controlling weeds, and maintaining neat turf borders. Follow these 10 easy steps to install lawn edging and keep your garden borders looking tidy and well-defined for years.
10 step to install lawn edging:
- Choose the shape before you start
- Mow your lawn
- Choose the right edger you want to use
- Make sure you have safety gear
- Edge the perimeter
- Check if there are any jagged areas
- Correct and perfect your line
- Prune and trim shrubs and bushes
- Clean up debris
- Keep on taking care of your lawn
Choose the shape before you start
Modifying the shape of your lawn and its surroundings can greatly impact the overall look and ambiance of your backyard. Straight edges offer a formal appearance, while curving, flowing lines introduce a softer, more dynamic feel.
Mow your lawn
Before edging your lawn, it’s important to start by mowing. This helps you determine how much to trim along the edges. You also should avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass height at a time, as mowing too short can lead to bare spots and weaken the roots.
Choose the right edger you want to use
After mowing, you can choose your edger—either power or manual-based on your skills or preference. Power edgers, such as string trimmers, work faster, while manual edgers offer more precise control.
Make sure you have safety gear
Wear a sturdy pair of gloves and safety glasses to protect your eyes from grass, pollen, and debris. If you’re sensitive to allergens, consider wearing a face mask to shield your nose and mouth as well.
Edge the perimeter
Now it’s time to edge your lawn. Before starting, locate any underground hazards like electrical wires or plumbing pipes to avoid hitting them with your edger. Be sure to keep a safe distance from these areas.
You might want to practice edging first to get the hang of it. Doing this in a less visible part of your lawn or backyard is a smart idea.
Check if there are any jagged areas
As you work, periodically shovel up loose soil, turf, or mulch and place it in a wheelbarrow. This helps you maintain a clear view of your edging and makes it easier to spot and fix any uneven or jagged sections.
Correct and perfect your line
If you need to adjust your cutting line, simply mark over the current one clearly, and be extra cautious when cutting in that area. It’s helpful to step back and take a fresh look at your outline to ensure you’re happy with the change.
If you need to alter a line that’s already been cut, you can either leave the extra turf in place and fill the cut with compost and grass seed, or shift the line further into the existing lawn and re-cut.
Prune and trim shrubs and bushes
After you’ve finished edging your perimeter and curved pathways, use your edging shears to trim your shrubs and bushes. Working in small, consistent sections will help ensure the shapes are neat and even.
Clean up debris
Once you’ve completed edging, use a stiff brush to remove any grass, soil, or debris from your trimmer, edger, or shears. Allowing residue to dry and harden can make the equipment harder to use the next time.
Keep on taking care of your lawn
After creating a clean, vertical edge to your lawn, it’s essential to maintain it regularly. In warm growing seasons like spring and early fall, trimming may be necessary on a weekly basis. Since grass naturally grows horizontally, it’s important to clip off any spreading rhizomes and long blades to prevent them from encroaching on nearby garden beds.
At Mile High Lifescape, we provide a variety of top-tier lawn edging options, including natural, plastic, and metal materials, to complement your garden’s unique design. Enhance your outdoor space with our high-quality products, and let us assist you in creating a standout landscape.
Explore our selection today and transform your garden with Mile High Lifescape.
Contact us:
Address: 1427 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219
Hotline: +1 (720) 301-3335
Email: [email protected]
Reference
1. How to Edge a Lawn in 10 Easy Steps. Available at: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/lawns/edge-a-lawn
2. How to edge a lawn – 6 professional steps for an elegant, flawless finish. Available at: https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/how-to-edge-a-lawn
3. How Often Should You Edge Your Lawn. Available at: https://www.jclandscapingllc.com/lawn/how-often-should-you-edge-your-lawn/
4. What Is Lawn Edging And Why Do It? Available at: https://doctorgreen.com/what-is-lawn-edging-and-why-do-it/jordyn_admin/
5. Lawn Edging – Its Importance & Advantages. Available at: https://acyardservices.com/lawn-edging-its-importance-advantages/
6. What is the Best Material for Landscape Edging? Available at: https://vodaland-usa.com/blogs/news-and-article/best-material-for-landscape-edging
7. How to edge your lawn like a pro. Available at: https://www.myhometurf.com.au/lawn-tips/edge-lawn/
