Part of keeping your lawn attractive and well-maintained is proper edging. A ragged or poorly trimmed edging can ruin the effect of an otherwise beautiful lawn. Having the right tools for the job is important and can make all the difference. ShanksLawn.com is the perfect place to find all the tools you need to maintain both your lawn and your lawn’s edges.
Hand Trimmers
While hand trimmers or shears are one option for keeping the edges of your lawn trimmed, they may not be very practical, especially if you have a large lawn. However, if you are working in a small area that is difficult to reach with a more powerful and effective tool, they can work well. In that case, trimmers should be an essential piece of your lawn-maintenance equipment.
Power Trimmers
Power trimmers come in two basic designs. Both string trimmers and blade trimmers are effective for keeping the edging of your lawn in great shape throughout the year. If your lawn is fairly small and you have easy access to an electrical outlet, an electric trimmer is a good choice. Bear in mind that if you choose an electric trimmer, it’s important to keep track of your cord so that you don’t accidentally cut it with the string or the blade. For larger lawns, a gas-powered trimmer is a better bet. If you have any structures that line your lawn such as a deck, patio or fence, these trimmers should be used with a great deal of caution to prevent any damage such as scraping or gouging.
Edger
An edger is likely to give you the best results. Unlike trimmers, edgers trim vertically, which helps to prevent damage to landscaping and structures. The edger is placed on the outside edge of the lawn, and the wheel helps to guide the edger in a straight line as the blade trims the grass neatly, providing a beautiful and clean finish to your lawn.
Steps to Create a Lawn Edge:
1. Draw out your plans ahead of time so that you can decide if you prefer a straight or curved lawn. It may be helpful to consult with a professional, if possible, to see if one layout is preferable over another based on your location and the slope of your lawn. If you belong to a homeowner’s association, you may also need to ask permission before performing this type of work on your lawn.
2. Use stakes and strings to plan out and mark your edging according to the diagram you created. If you decided on a curved edging, a garden hose makes a good marker, although you may need to use hooked garden stakes to help keep the hose in place. A piece of rope or heavy twine will also work well.
3. Using a sod cutter, cut along the line you have created and remove the sod. Neatly finish the edging with a trimmer or edger.
4. If you wish to create a decorative edging using concrete, bricks or other edging materials, create a 5-inch deep trench along your new edge. Add sand to the bottom of the trench and build your edging.
Maintaining Your Lawn Edge
Now that your lawn is beautifully edged, it will require regular maintenance to keep it looking great. The areas that will require particular attention are:
— Edges that border your home or patio
— Edges that border a flower garden or trees
— Edges that border your driveway
— Edges that border a fence
— Edges that border a larger structure like a greenhouse or gazebo
Taking the time to work carefully around these areas will pay off in the long run. Keeping a clean edge will not only keep your lawn looking great, but will also prevent weeds from encroaching into flower beds and damage to the walls of your home or other structures.
