How to Edge a Lawn

Edging or trimming is the final step in mowing your lawn. It's a simple but all-important practice that gives a lawn a finished, manicured look.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Brooms
• Garden Hoses
• Garden Hoses And Attachments
• Grass Shears
• Lawn Edgers
• Weed Cutters
• Half-moon Edging Tools

1. Use a handheld edger between pavement and grass. Place the wheel on the pavement with the blade over the edge and push and pull. For large lawns, use a power-driven model.

2. Use grass shears around trees, the edges of beds or in places that are hard to reach.

3. Use a string trimmer to trim and edge large lawns or to cut grass to tall to mow.

4. Create a tailored, "English Garden" look by using an edging tool (a shovel with a small blade shaped like a half moon) between beds and lawn. Push the blade in with your foot so that it slices off a thin piece of turf, leaving a clean, straight edge of soil between lawn and bed.

5. If you use an edging tool, return slices of soil to the garden beds to break down; chop slightly and bury them under the mulch for a neat, nourishing edge.

Tips & Warnings

• You can choose between hand-operated or electric grass shears.

• Masonry, wood or plastic mowing strips or edgings around your lawn can simplify edging.

• Use caution when operating power tools around children.