How to Make a Neat Edge Between the Lawn and Flower Beds

Cut a handsome, narrow trench between your lawn and flower beds for a neat, natural edge. You'll get great looks, easier mowing and less invading grass without the installation hassles of most edging or the brown paths from chemical sprays.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Garden Spray Paint
• Garden Spades
• Hoes
• Carts Or Wheelbarrows
• Metal Files

1. Draw a line that separates your lawn from the adjoining bed. Use garden spray paint to create a gentle curve, straight lines or any combination that pleases your eye.

2. Choose a square-head spade to cut the edge and a hoe to smooth out the edge. Make sure your tools are sharp.

3. Stand on the lawn where it meets the bed. Get in close so that the lawn side of the trench will be no more than three inches from the bed edge.

4. Hold your spade at about 45 degrees, with its sharpened head on the edge line. Put your foot on the head and guide it at a 45-degree angle 3 inches into the soil.

5. Lift out the grass and soil and toss it into your wheelbarrow. Take a step to one side and make another cut and toss to match the first. Continue down the line you've drawn until the entire edge is dug out. Set aside any healthy pieces of turf to patch bare spots elsewhere and compost the rest of the debris.

6. Use your hoe to smooth both sides of the trench. It should be 3 inches deep, sloping up to 3 inches wide at the top. Let the lawn grow right up to one side, with the garden bed meeting the other side.

7. Maintain the neat edge with regular scrapes of your hoe to cut out lawn or plants that try to cross the trench. Keep the edge as dry as possible to suppress weeds.

Tips & Warnings

• Do this project the day after a rain or good soaking to make digging easier.

• Keep a file handy to sharpen your spade and hoe - let the tools work at their best so you can, too.