How to Edge Your Lawn Properly

There’s nothing wrong with being proud of your grass. It’s your slice of paradise, so there’s no shame in spending a bit of time learning how to edge your lawn properly so that it stands out.  

However, as naturally as lawn mowing may come to you, edging can be a completely different kettle of fish. Read on to learn some of our tips and tricks for achieving a perfectly edged lawn.

Step 1: Determine Your Lawn Type

Even though lawn edging techniques can be similar from one lawn type to the next, knowing what your lawn is can alter your expectations for the outcome while also adjusting how you carry out the entire edging process.

Some of the most popular lawn types include Bermuda. St. Augustine, Zoysia, tall fescue, fine fescue, rye, Kikuyu, and mixed blend.

Step 2: Mow Your Lawn

Before you start edging your lawns, mow it first. This can cut down the time you spend using a grass-edging tool. Depending on your lawn type and how it grows, adjust your mower so that you’ll be cutting no more than a third of your lawn length in one pass.

If you will be edging your lawn with a rotary mower, ensure the blade is sharp and clean. It’s also important to mow in straight lines with three to four inches between each cut to prevent scalping.

Reel mowers can take a different approach. Start at one corner of your yard and work your way to the other with short strokes. To ensure you have ample dirt for edging, mow your lawn frequently.

Step 3: Plan Out Your Path

If you have never edged your lawn before, there can be a little bit of planning involved. Fortunately, lawn care companies throughout New Zealand can assist with your first edging and ongoing services if you’d prefer to leave the hard work to them.

Those who prefer to do the job themselves can find it easy enough to manage by first creating a planned path. Use rope, wood, tape, hose, or something similar, to mark out the edges where you’ll make your first cuts.

To make your first edging job just that little bit easier, use a weed eater. This can cut down how much grass you have to edge.

Step 4: Choose An Edging Tool

The market is full of different edging tools, which makes it challenging to know what you need. As a rule, if it’s advertised as being able to perform edging, it can work for you! However, some have more advantages for your unique needs than others. 

For example, a power edger, such as a string trimmer, allows you to carry out the job quicker. They can be battery, electric, or petrol-powered, depending on your preferences.

You may also prefer manual edgers. Even though they are more labour-intensive, they do offer more control. Compared to powered versions, they are also more affordable.

Step 5: Safety First

Before you get to work edging your lawn, don’t forget to wear appropriate safety gear. Ear, eye, feet, and hand protection can all be necessary for preventing injuries and discomfort.

While you’re out purchasing new edging tools, pick up a pair of gloves, goggles, and earmuffs, and don’t forget to wear closed-toe shoes and a long-sleeved shirt.  

Step 6: Start edging!  

How you edge your lawn properly can depend on your tool of choice. With a manual edger, you can use it similarly to a shovel. Drive it straight into the ground until the lip touches the soil. Rock it from side to side for a more defined edge before you pull it back up.

A string trimmer offers less control but undoubtedly has the speed to save you time. Use your hard surface, such as a pathway, as your edge to work from. Cut around two inches deep, and move left to right if your string spins clockwise.

Refrain from getting too close with a string trimmer, or your lawn can look too uneven. What’s more, if you over-edge, your grass will struggle to grow back correctly and may even be damaged.  

While you’re edging, it may also be worth looking out for weeds. Pull them up rather than cutting them, as they can spread their roots far and wide.

Step 7: Edge Your Garden Beds

The edges of garden beds tend to be more fluid, which means a string trimmer may not be the most suitable tool in your arsenal. For these less rigid areas, use a manual edger. Make sure you mark the area first and work slowly for the most even finish.  

….Or Call the Experts

There can be a lot involved in edging your lawns. Even though it’s an easy process once you get started, it’s a time-consuming one. If you’d rather spend your time doing something a bit more entertaining, contact lawn care experts you can trust. You can then enjoy looking at perfectly-edged lawns without having to lift a finger.