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Having the perfect lawn is a goal many of us strive for. But achieving it often requires more than just mowing – edging your lawn can make all the difference!
If you’re looking to get that crisp, professional finish in your yard and don’t know where to start when it comes to cutting those edges, here are some tips on how you can cut them quickly and accurately.
From deciding the shape of the edge and marking out new lines with string trimmers or spades, right through to maintaining their condition over time, we’ll cover everything you need for neatening up those hard-to-reach spots around your garden this season.
So why not take control now by following our guide on how best to cut lawn edges in 2023?
Table Of Contents
Key Takeaways
Create clean lines with string trimmers, wheeled lawn edgers, and bed edgers. Measure and mark edges with precision for a professional look. Repair broken edges with shrubbery, grass landscaping paint, mulch, and pavers. Mow appropriately, sharpen manual edging tools, maintain the edges, and clear away clippings and debris.
What is Lawn Edging?
You can create beautiful and neat lawn edges with the right tools, like a cordless trimmer edger or an AMES sawtooth border edger. According to research, 61% of homeowners have reported feeling more relaxed after mowing their lawn.
Lawn edging requires planning out your project to achieve desired edge shapes; use stakes and strings for complicated projects. There are several types of trimming tools available, such as string trimmers, wheeled lawn edgers, bed edgers, or manual rotary hedges.
You can choose from these depending on your budget. When using string trimmers, start at the perimeter before working inward. Wear safety glasses and gloves for protection against debris flying up into your eyes or hands.
Manual options are budget-friendly, while electric ones are suitable for small-medium gardens thanks to their light weight design. Petrol ones provide more powerful results, but are noisier and require more maintenance.
To maintain tidy edges weekly, remove any weeds present, clean up clippings and debris scattered around, then consider creative ways to enhance your lawn, such as installing plastic borders or LED lighting strips.
Why Should You Edge Your Lawn?
Edging your lawn not only creates a neat, professional look for your outdoor space, but also helps prevent weeds and soil erosion. Lawn benefits from edging include better drainage and fertilizer absorption. There are several types of edgings you can use; plastic edging strips or decorative stones create an attractive border, while wooden logs provide a more natural look.
Trimmers come in three main varieties: petrol-powered, electric corded, or battery-powered (cordless). For added creativity, try LED lighting or even strips of bricks around the edges! Cutting the lawn edge is best done with either an electric trimmer/edger combo tool like Worx Cordless GT3.
0 Trimmer Edger – powerful yet lightweight – or AMES Sawtooth Border Edger, which easily cuts through grass and earth in one step using its serrated blade. Finally, consider Greenes Fence Half Log Edging, as it’s made from durable plastic and metal for stability and offers staggered heights of 5 and 7.
Tools You’ll Need to Edge Your Lawn
Now that you know why edging your lawn is important, it’s time to talk about the tools you need. A power edger or trimmer is essential for achieving a professional-looking edge. Manual hand shears can be used for budget-friendly options and are great for small jobs around obstacles or curves in the yard.
You’ll also want to consider creative types of edges like plastic edging, decorative stones, wooden edging, and LED lighting strips as alternatives to traditional grass trimming techniques.
Plan out your project ahead of time and use stakes & string if working on complicated designs with curved lines – this will ensure accuracy when cutting edges.
Decide on the Shape of the Lawn
Decide how you want your lawn to look by considering the types of edges and creative edging options available. Open edges can be cut with a half-moon tool or string trimmer, while closed ones may require mowing over or installing a border.
Petrol trimmers are powerful but noisier, electric models suit small-medium gardens better due to their lighter weight, and cordless varieties should take battery life into account – lithium-ion batteries offer the best performance results.
Pavers and hedges create interesting shapes for edging projects, while LED lighting and a strip of bricks add an extra touch of style! Get creative when designing your lawn – consider plastic edgings, decorative stones or wooden borders too.
Mark Out a New Lawn Edge
Draw a line in the sand to mark out a new edge for your lawn, and take it from there with creative flair. Planning is key – decide on the shape of the lawn before you start cutting. If you want open edges, use half-moon tools or edging shears to cut along your line; make sure there’s at least a 20-40 degree angle between turf and soil so no browning occurs.
For closed edges, mow over them if they’re all one length or trim them down with a trimmer if different levels are desired – be careful not to damage blades by adjusting the height too low. Consider pavers and hedges for edging around flower beds, as well as manual rotary edgers for cleaner cuts than string trimmers can provide.
Cut the Edge
Once you’ve planned out your edging project, use the right tools to trim grass along the edge of your lawn with precision. Consider types of edges in the garden such as open and closed while cutting lawn edges.
If it’s an open edge, avoid standing on edges and use a half-moon tool; for a cleaner cut, opt for petrol or electric trimmers or wheeled edgers. For budget-friendly options, choose manual rotary edgers or spades, while creative borders can be made with plastic borders, decorative stones, and LED lighting, etc.
When using string trimmers, start at the perimeter and work inward, making sure to wear safety glasses and gloves. Also, adjust the height when near obstacles to avoid blade damage. Finally, add finishing touches like border installation around curved areas that require extra attention.
Secure them by wrapping hose tightly against each corner post and stake firmly into the ground using a hammer if necessary.
Correcting Your Line
To ensure a perfectly straight line, measure and mark the edges of your lawn before you start edging, then use the markings as a guide. Check for obstructions like stones or roots, use string to keep trim lines consistent, and adjust wheeled trimmer height to correct mistakes or achieve greater line accuracy.
Edge maintenance is important for visual appeal in edge design. Cutting grass too short can cause discoloration and damage to blades, while cutting too tall results in an untidy appearance. String trimmers provide efficient control in hard-to-reach areas, while manual edgers are suitable for budget options with cleaner cuts.
Pavers and hedges may also be used, along with hand shears or hedge trimmers to prune excess foliage if necessary. To keep up with lawn care, mow weekly, tidy edges, treat weeds, and clean clippings and debris regularly.
Achieve a Smart Finish
It’s important to be aware of lawn-edging issues, such as broken or crumbling edges, how to repair, maintain, and keep manual edging tools sharp. Knowing when the best time is to edge a lawn can also help you achieve a smart finish.
To ensure success in this task, it’s essential to understand these key elements so your project looks professional and well-kept.
Lawn Edging Issues to Watch Out For
Be mindful of potential lawn edging issues, such as plastic edging coming loose or blades becoming dull and causing uneven lines. Maintain your lawn with proper weed prevention, creative designs, and hedge trimming to keep edges looking sharp.
Take care when using tools like leaf blowers or weed killers near the edge trimmer to avoid damaging it.
How to Repair a Broken or Crumbling Lawn Edge
If your lawn edge is broken or crumbling, take the time to repair it for a smart finish. Use materials like evergreen shrubbery, grass landscaping paint, and edging property.
How to Maintain Lawn Edges
Regularly maintain your lawn edges to keep them looking neat and tidy. Fix mistakes with mulch, install pavers, use edging tips and trimming techniques. Mow regularly along lawn edges for clean lines; also maintain flower bed borders with a weed wacker or trimmer – whatever works best! Yard work that fits your lifestyle will ensure consistent results without extra effort.
How to Keep Manual Edging Tools Sharp
Sharpening your manual edging tools will help you achieve a professional finish and save time. Ensure blades are clean, then use sharpening techniques such as planing, circular blade, string spinning, or hard surface to remove rust and burrs.
Maintenance tips like oiling edges can also prevent rust buildup and improve edge design.
When is the Best Time to Edge a Lawn?
You’ll love the pristine look of your lawn when you edge it at just the right time. Benefits of edging include cutting techniques, DIY options, creative ideas, and maintenance tips for quickly creating a landscaped lawn.
Achieve green lawns with ease—your yard looks better in no time! Cutting lawn edges adds value to properties and brings out its best features.
Mow Your Lawn
Mow your lawn with the appropriate height setting for a neat finish – practice makes perfect! Mowing patterns can create an edge design that stands out. Cutting techniques depend on grass type; some need higher settings, others lower.
- Try different mowing patterns, like diagonal or straight lines
- Establish walking pathways by cutting around them first
- Trim close but not too low when edging around delicate plants and areas near walkways
- Sharpen blades regularly for clean, precise cuts
- Use half-moon tools at corners for sharper angles rather than trimmers
With smartly designed edges, gardens will be transformed!
Choose Edging & Trimming Tools
Choose the right tools for edging your lawn, like string trimmers and wheeled lawn edgers, to get that perfect look. Edging materials such as plastic or metal can also be used to create more creative edges.
There are two types of edges in a garden: open and closed; make sure you cut them correctly so they don’t end up looking shabby! Trimmer options range from petrol-powered ones, which offer more power but require extra maintenance, to electric trimmers suitable for small-medium gardens but lightweight enough not to drag you down, or cordless options where run time and battery span should be taken into consideration when making your choice.
Lawn maintenance tips include mowing and tidying weekly, plus treating weeds, while remembering to clear away clippings and debris after each job. Lastly, ensure accuracy when cutting those all-important lawn edges by taking several passes around curves or split ends near walking areas.
Following this simple routine will keep your landscape looking great throughout the season and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What type of edging is best for my lawn?
Unleash your creativity and create a stunning lawn with edging; whether you opt for plastic, stones, wooden, or LED lighting, it’s the perfect way to express yourself.
How often should I edge my lawn?
Edge your lawn regularly for a neat, clean look. Aim to do it at least once a week or more frequently if you have an intricate design. Choose the right edging tool for the job and use safety equipment while working on edges around obstacles.
How can I use edging creatively?
Get creative with your lawn edging by adding fun elements like plastic, decorative stones, wooden boards, and even LED lighting. Invest in a high-quality trimmer or edger to ensure clean edges and use half-moon tools for open edges.
What type of trimmer should I use?
When it comes to lawn trimming, you have a choice of three: petrol-powered, electric, and cordless. Like cars in the driveway, each has its perks – just make sure you pick one that fits your needs. Electric trimmers are good for smaller gardens while cordless ones give more freedom, with their batteries providing the power to cruise around any garden landscape like an open road.
Are there any safety considerations when edging?
When edging, safety is key. Wear protective eyewear and gloves to prevent any unwanted cuts or scrapes. Pay close attention to obstacles like trees or flower beds to avoid damaging them while you edge around them.
Conclusion
Edging your lawn is a great way to add a neat, attractive look that will last for years. With the right tools and know-how, you can quickly and accurately cut lawn edges in no time. Decide on the shape of your lawn and mark out the new edge. Use a trimmer, edger, or manual edger to cut the line.
Correct any mistakes and create a smart finish. Mow the lawn and tidy up the edges regularly. With effort, you’ll create a well-edged lawn that will be the envy of your neighborhood.
