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.

[northstarlc3]

on 5/31/2009 A blower uses gasoline or electricity and using a broom makes you exhale CO2. Let the yard go back to nature. And while you are at it don't reproduce so the human race dies off and the world can go back to the dinosaurs.

on 11/22/2005 I disagree with the statement you make on cleaning up by hosing the walks and driveway - hosing is a great waste of water, when many areas are in drought. Use a broom or blower.