How to Maintain a Crisp Lawn Edge

Use edging to define flower beds.

Golf courses and resorts have used techniques for creating crisp lines in their landscaping for years. Follow a few simple guidelines and you can have a yard that looks as professionally designed as a resort.

Things You'll Need

• Sod
• Water hose
• Edging
• Potting soil
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Walk the yard and sketch it. Take a pad and some colored pencils, walk the yard and roughly sketch out the dimensions and existing features. Note areas of shade, where the grass appears to be patchy or weeds seem to thrive.

2. With the sketched drawing as a guideline, you can decide which areas are best for sod and which areas can be established for planting beds. You will be able to tell where shade plant beds need to be placed and which areas need to have weed control measures taken. It will also allow you to plan for irrigation.

3. Select edging materials. Choose from corrugated plastic or metal edging strips that you bury before sowing or sodding and that are invisible once the grass is growing strongly. Alternatively, lay a brick mowing strip. Bricks need to be only just above the soil level to contain the grass without interfering with mowing.

4. Use a water house to outline the shape of the flower beds. Once the outline is in place, remove any existing turf and move it to be reclaimed. Install all the bedding plants. Put edging in place and make sure the edging is firmly in place. Cover the surface area of the flower bed with mulch and water.

5. Consider replacing sod. If your sod is damaged or unhealthy, then you may want to consider removing the top layer of sod and replacing it with a better quality grass.

6. Plant filler seeds in bare areas. If you can’t completely sod in areas of sparse growth, rotate the soil and either lay a few squares of fresh sod for large areas or plant filler seeds.

7. Develop a habit of frequent mowing for your lawn. Avoid getting to close to the edging while mowing. You will need to purchase an edging weed eater and carefully trim close to the edging. Use caution with plastic edging as the filament can damage the plastic edging.