After mowing the lawn for hours, you probably find yourself staring at unsightly edges that ruin the entire look of your garden. Don’t let this less-than-perfect image bring down your dream of having a magazine-quality lawn. By applying proper lawn edging technique, you can give people more reasons to admire every single section of your yard.
Getting Started on Lawn Edging
Lawn edging can turn any yard from drab to fab. With this simple technique, you can achieve a manicured appearance to your lawn since it stops the grass from going past the driveway, patio, flower bed, and other areas where it is not supposed to cover. You can also clearly define areas of your garden while giving the entire yard a picture-perfect appearance.
To get started, you will need a few tools ready. For manual lawn edging, some essential tools include a half-moon and square-bottomed spade. Make sure you also have a few stakes and a string, which will come in handy when you prepare the layout for the edges. If you prefer a serpentine edge, then a garden hose is a better tool to use instead of a string and some wooden stakes.
If you are not comfortable edging your lawn manually, then you may use a power tool or motorized edger for this task. Most edgers are powered by electric motor or gasoline engine, and you can find the right size and type you need depending on the size of your yard.
Preparing Areas to be Edged
Before you go ahead and start edging your lawn, make it a point to prepare the area by removing obstructions along the way. Check the area and get rid of sticks, rocks, and some objects that can damage the tool. In addition to inspecting the area, be sure to use protective materials such as goggles and long gloves before you use the edger. You should also wear long pants and sneakers or boots to protect your body from sharp materials as you use the trimmer.
Manual Vs. Power Edgers
A small spade with flat blade (with semi-circular or straight edge) is useful when it comes to manual edging. All you need to do is to plunge your tool into the turf, particularly along a steel angle. Then, pull it up to create a narrow trench right along the edge. Make sure the cut is deep enough to sever completely the roots of the grass. This way, the grass will not be able to regrow quickly across the edge.
When you have finished edging, you may simply crumble the soil and take out weed roots. You may also proceed to leveling the garden surface using a hoe. If you wish, you may start applying mulch.
The greatest benefit of a manual edger is the ease in maintaining the tool. All you need to do is to clean the blade well and apply some oil after use to prevent corrosion.
Power edgers run using electricity, gasoline, or rechargeable batteries. They come with a toothed circular blade or wheel, while others have a spinning nylon line. These components help in cutting a vertical trench, which will further define the edges of your lawn. For power edgers that come with wheels, you may simply roll these along hard surfaces to ensure quality results. You may begin by moving the edger as slow as possible along the edges. Then make the initial pass on a shallow setting, using the edger. As you make a number of passes, try to go deeper until you have attained the right depth for the edge.
Using a power edger offers convenience because of its time-saving benefit. It can even cut and create a beveled trench or a narrow trench. Just be sure to read the owner’s manual for further details about the proper use of a power edge.
Maintenance of power edger is more intricate than manual ones. You need to inspect the cutting lines and blades regularly after use. Check for signs of wear and tear, and change the oil in a gas-operated edger when necessary. The spark plug and air filter should also be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Regardless of the type of edger you use, the application of proper lawn edging techniques can give your yard a more captivating appeal.
Adding Decorative Edges for an Impressive Look
If you want to boost the appearance and ambience of your yard, you may want to add decorative edges to your garden. You can choose from various types of edges such as fences, bricks, and pebbles, to name a few. There are also some who prefer to use heavier materials for a more durable quality such as rocks and low brick wall. Choose materials that will enhance the yard’s beauty by making sure these complement the theme you have in mind for your garden.
Create a decorative border, which will serve as your garden’s frame. You may, for instance, choose to use bricks when you want to give your home a finished appearance because of their earthy colors. In case you prefer bricks for lawn edging, consider digging a trench deep enough along the flower bed. Next, add some sand to the trench, so you can maintain the right level of the edging before setting one brick next to another. Check the level of the brick before setting them with tapping motions using a rubber mallet.
A living border will also look appealing for a lawn edge. Best options include phlox and a few flowering plants because of their lively and captivating colors. Other fascinating species of flowers that will serve as an eye-catchy border for your yard include petunias, violets and pansies.
Bottom Line
It is not enough that you mow your lawn regularly. To give your yard an even better quality, you should consider edging the lawn. This technique will add lovely edges to your different landscapes while enhancing their beauty. You can also prevent pesky lawn concerns from invading your garden such as weeds, plant disease and insects. So, apply the right lawn edging techniques to update the look of your yard and make your outdoor space an inviting and relaxing place to be.