Edging your lawn, in addition to mowing, gives it a well-groomed look and prevents the spread of grassroots to sidewalks and flower beds. Lawn edgers are designated tools for edging since mowers cannot be used to trim the edges near a sidewalk, flower bed, or driveway.
Wheel Edger:
Lawn edgers may be manual or powered. Manual edgers generally come in two types, step-on edgers and wheel edgers. Wheel edgers are easier and quicker to use and are cost-efficient as well. Manual edgers are best suited for smaller lawns, but powered edgers, such as stick edgers or walk-behind edgers, are better for bigger lawns.
Contents
- 1 Are Edgers Worth It:
- 2 What is a Step-on Edger:
- 3 What is the Difference between a Wheel Edger and a Step-on Edger:
- 4 What is the Best Edger for Your Lawn:
- 5 Electric and battery-powered Edger
- 6 What is the Easiest Way to Edge Your Lawn:
- 6.1 ● Step 1: Wear Safety Equipment:
- 6.2 ● Step 2: Mow your Lawn before edging:
- 6.3 ● Step 3: Mark Out the Lawn Edge:
- 6.4 ● Step 4: Clean the Marked Path:
- 6.5 ● Step 5: Trim the Marked Path with a Lawn Edger:
- 6.6 ● Step 6: Brush the Trimmings Away:
- 6.7 ● Step 7: Trim the Longer Grass Blades with Hand Shears:
- 7 What Can I Use Instead of An Edger:
- 8 How Often Should You Edge Your Lawn:
Are Edgers Worth It:
Lawn edgers are the best tool for creating a well-defined boundary around your lawn. A lawn with a clear boundary looks tidier than one with a messy edge, even if both are equally mowed. Trimmers such as hand shears can trim longer grass near the edges, but they cannot be used to edge a lawn, making the edger an essential tool for lawn owners.
A lawn edger gives the lawn a neat look and prevents grassroots growth into unwanted areas. Regularly edging your lawn will save you the time to trim the overgrown grass from pavements and flower beds.
Whether you need a designated edger depends on the size of your lawn and the physical strength you wish to use when edging it. A garden spade could be used to edge a small lawn or a couple of flower beds, but it requires muscle and can be back-breaking. On the other hand, a manual wheel edger will edge your lawn a lot more neatly and easily. A powered wheel edger will be more beneficial if you have a big lawn.
What is a Step-on Edger:
A step-on edger, also known as a half-moon edger, is a manual edging tool. It is the simplest edging tool and consists of a semi-circular (hence the name half-mooned) blade attached to an elongated handle, similar to a spade.
The bottom side of the blade that cuts into the soil is circular, while the top side that attaches to the handle is straight for the user to step on it to apply a downward cutting force.
A step-on edger operates in downward and rocking motions and is very easy to use, especially in narrow spaces. Another name for the step-on edger is the “edging iron”.
What is the Difference between a Wheel Edger and a Step-on Edger:
A wheel edger, also known as a roller-based edger, is driven by pushing a roller wheel along a hard surface, such as a sidewalk parallel to the lawn’s edge. There are two main types of manual wheel edgers; one type is equipped with a steel disk-shaped blade to trim the edge, while the second type uses two star-shaped blades that rotate against one another.
A step-on edger’s operation is in separate discontinuous steps. For each cut, you must push the edger with your foot and then pull it out and down again for the next step. On the other hand, a wheel edger’s operation is continuous and keeps cutting as the user pushes it forward.
A wheel edger is easier to use and works quickly, but it is not well suited for sloped ground. The step-on edger is the right choice for a sloped area.
What is the Best Edger for Your Lawn:
Lawn edgers are quite diverse tools and come in different sizes and power options. The choice of a lawn edger should be based, most notably, on the lawn size and the required physical strength. So, choose from one of the following options depending on your specific requirement:
● Edger for a small lawn:
If you have a small lawn or a couple of flower beds that require edging, go for a manual step-on or wheel edger. A manual step-on edger is pretty cheap, as it costs around 15 to 20 dollars and is easy to use.
A manual step-on edger requires more physical strength and can be used in narrow spaces just as easily.
● Edger for a mid-sized lawn:
A manual wheel edger is fine if you have a mid-sized lawn, but you may opt for an electric or battery-powered stick edger for much quicker edging. Electric stick edgers are lightweight and budget friendly since they usually cost less than 60 dollars.
Most electric edgers come with a rechargeable battery, but some need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. In that case, you need a long enough extension cord.
● Edger for heavier bush:
Opt for a gas-powered stick edger if your lawn has heavy bush, weeds, or undergrowth around the edges. A gas-powered stick edger is similar in operation to an electric stick edger except that it has a gas engine.
A gas engine makes it louder and heavier but much more heavy-duty. Gas-powered stick edgers have two variants: a two-cylinder engine and a four-cylinder one.
Those with a four-cylinder engine are more powerful and much less noisy than two-cylinder ones but are more expensive. A gas-powered stick edger would cost you somewhere around 150 to 250 dollars.
● Edger for big lawns:
Go for a walk-behind-powered edger if you have a vast lawn. A walk-behind edger is quite similar to a lawnmower and is best suited for edging along a long sidewalk or many flower beds.
Walk-behind powered edgers usually cost more than 400 dollars, but you can also rent one. Only a few battery-powered edgers are an option for big lawns, and I recommend checking both the running and charging times before purchasing such a model.
Electric and battery-powered Edger
Electric edgers come in two categories: battery-powered and corded electric edgers.
● Cordeded Electric Edger
Corded electric edgers are lightweight and compact, and they are also quieter compared with gas-powered edgers. Electric edgers also require less maintenance but are generally less powerful.
However, corded edgers have to be near an electric outlet, or you have to purchase a long extension cord.
● Battery Edger
Battery- battery-powered edgers are gaining popularity due to their flexibility, increasing battery capacity, and low maintenance. Battery-powered edgers can be moved around easily and, with the increased battery capacity, are better suited for bigger lawns.
Battery-powered edgers are usually equipped with lithium-ion batteries and are categorized by power, battery capacity, runtime, and voltage. Due to the batteries, they are less budget-friendly compared with a corded edger.
The choice of a battery-powered edger should be based primarily on your required power rating and running time. More powerful edgers can cover a larger distance than smaller ones but generally require more powerful batteries.
Also, check the running time of the machine and the time it takes to charge the batteries. If you have a bigger yard, you don’t want to have to stop all the time to charge the batteries. An option is to purchase a second set of batteries, so you can charge those when using the other set. And swap when they are empty. But this only works well if you use a fast battery charger.
What is the Easiest Way to Edge Your Lawn:
Lawn edgers have made it easy to create a well-trimmed edge around your lawn. Particular battery-powered edgers that require less maintenance than their gas brothers are an easy way to edge your lawn.
Edging with a manual tool takes more physical strength than a powered edger, especially if you have a big property.
However, a manual edger may still be the best option for smaller lawns since it is much more budget-friendly and can be used in narrow spaces around flower beds. For bigger lawns, a powered walk-behind wheeled edger is better.
Besides a lawn edger, a garden spade, a weed whacker, a set of pruning shears, and a garden hose will also come in handy when edging your lawn.
Follow these steps to edge your lawn easily:
● Step 1: Wear Safety Equipment:
Put on a pair of work pants and long boots whenever edging your lawn. Wear protective ear muffs to block the motor’s loud sound if you use a gas-powered lawn edger.
Lastly, wear safety goggles because grass or other material cut during edging may fly around and cause eye injury.
● Step 2: Mow your Lawn before edging:
If you edge your lawn before mowing it, the edges might be bigger or smaller than the rest. This will not give your lawn the neat look you have worked for, and your hard work will go to waste.
I recommend mowing your entire lawn before edging to get that consistent look. Trimming the edges after mowing your lawn also allows you to trim the patchy spots you might have missed in mowing.
● Step 3: Mark Out the Lawn Edge:
If the edge of the grass is unclear, use a rope to mark it out, especially if you are edging for the first time. This gives a nice and straight result. I do not recommend using spray paint for this.
Depending on the size of your lawn, 25-30 feet (7.5-9 meters) of rope would be enough. Mark the edge by leaving a ½ to 1 inch (1.5 to 2.5 cm) gap between the sidewalk or flower bed and the marking rope. You will be trimming the grass exposed in this gap.
● Step 4: Clean the Marked Path:
There must be no firm obstacles, such as rocks, stones, big roots, sprinklers, etc., on the path you plan to edge because they could dent or break the edger blades.
Before you edge, pick up rocks and stones from the marked path or use a garden broom to clean the path quickly.
● Step 5: Trim the Marked Path with a Lawn Edger:
Place the edger blade right by the marking rope, which should not be more than an inch from the sidewalk/flower bed. You could cut a blot through the grass if the distance is more extensive.
Edging with a manual lawn edger is different than with a powered edger. Follow the respective guide depending on the edger you are using:
-Manual Edger:
If you are working with a manual step-on edger, push the blade down with your foot. Hold the stick firmly while setting foot on the edger blade.
When you push down the blade, rock it gently with your foot to cut through the soil. Pry the cut area open by rocking the blade a bit to each side so you can see the line you have just cut.
Then pick up the blade and move it a few inches forward to make the next cut. Repeat this step until the entire marked line is trimmed.
-Powered Edger:
With the blades of your powered edger positioned on the marker, start the motor and walk forward slowly. The only force you need to apply is the forward push, and the powered blades do all the cutting.
If you are using a powered edger for the first time, do not start pushing forward too quickly in excitement. There is a high chance of wobbling off course if you move too fast. A manual wheel edger can be used similarly to a powered walk-behind edger.
The depth of cut should be just enough to hit the grassroots close to the edge but not any deeper. If the cut is too deep, it will damage the grass at the edge and turn it brownish, tarnishing your lawn’s neat look.
As a rule of thumb, I recommend aiming for a 2-inch (5 cm) deep cut. Powered lawn edgers have a knob for adjusting the cutting depth. However, if you are working with a manual edger, control the force you exert with your foot not to dig too deep. Check the cut area after each cut and adjust the force accordingly.
● Step 6: Brush the Trimmings Away:
After cutting 6 to 7 feet (2 m), brush away the trimmings using a lawn broom and check the cut area. If you are cutting through a heavy undergrowth or a bush, use a garden rake to clear out the trimmings.
Inspect the cut area to ensure the line is straight or needs to be adjusted and adjusted accordingly for the next length of cut.
● Step 7: Trim the Longer Grass Blades with Hand Shears:
A pair of hand shears will come in handy if longer unkempt grass blades are along the edge.
After trimming the entire marked edge, go back along the length to look for the longer grass blades. Trim these blades with hand shears so that they fade in with the lawn. This will give your lawn a well-groomed and tidy look.
What Can I Use Instead of An Edger:
You may choose from the many types of edgers, but there are certain alternatives to the use of edgers altogether. Some of these alternatives are listed below:
- Lawn trimmers: You can use a lawn trimmer as an edger by tilting it upside down. This will make the trimmer’s guard face upward. Edge the lawn by running the string along the edge in this setting, but don’t expect similar results as an edger.
- Hand shears: Hand shears can trim the edges of flower beds, but they require a lot more effort and are usually not as neat. I only recommend using them for really small areas.
- Decorative bricks: An alternative to edging is permanently installing decorative bricks (usually at a 45o angle) along the lawn or flower bed edge. To do this, dig a trench deep enough to grip half a brick along the edge. Then install the bricks one after the other. This will give your lawn a decorative look and eliminate the need for regular edging.
How Often Should You Edge Your Lawn:
There is no rule of thumb about the frequency of edging your lawn. Lawn edging should be done when the edge does not look that well anymore. You can expect this once every three mowing sessions. However, some people always edge their lawn after mowing it.
Can you edge a lawn with thick undergrowth?
Yes, you can edge a lawn with thick undergrowth using a manual wheel edger for a neat and well-defined boundary. It’s efficient and cost-effective for maintaining your lawn’s appearance.
This article has inspired me to take better care of my lawn. It’s so informative.
Thank you for your kind words, Joann! I’m glad the article inspired you to take better care of your lawn. Keep up the great work!
Edging makes a lawn look so much nicer.
Thank you, Roy! I agree, edging does make a lawn look much nicer. It’s a simple way to give your lawn that well-groomed look.
I need to invest in a good edger for my lawn.
Investing in a wheel edger is a great choice for a well-groomed lawn edge. Ease of use and cost efficiency make it a valuable tool for maintaining your lawn.
Great explanation of the different types of lawn edgers available.
“Thank you, Ruby! I’m glad you found the explanation helpful.”
I appreciate the advice on marking out the lawn edge before edging.
Thank you, Brandon! I’m glad you found the advice helpful. Happy gardening!
What alternatives are there to using a lawn edger?
Hi Jacob, alternatives to using a lawn edger include lawn trimmers, hand shears, or decorative bricks. They may not give the same neat look but can be used if needed.
I never realized how important edging was until I read this.
Thank you for sharing your newfound appreciation for edging! It truly does make a difference in the overall appearance of a lawn. Happy edging!
I didn’t know there were so many types of edgers to choose from.
Glad you found the information helpful, Cody! Having the right edger can make a big difference in keeping your lawn looking tidy.
What is the best way to clean a path before edging?
To clean the path before edging, ensure no obstacles are present. Use a garden broom to clear the path fast. Happy edging!
Should I edge my lawn before or after mowing?
Hi Alfredo! It’s best to edge your lawn after mowing. This creates a clean boundary and prevents roots from spreading. Consider using a wheel edger for quicker and easier results.
Is it possible to over-edge a lawn?
Thank you for your question, Carter. It is possible to over-edge a lawn, leading to scalping or weakening the grass along the edges. It is essential to edge your lawn as needed, typically every three mowing sessions.
I wonder if edging is necessary for artificial turf?
Hi Sue! Edging artificial turf isn’t necessary, but it can still give a polished look and prevent grass from spreading to unwanted areas. Consider a manual wheel edger for quick and cost-efficient results.
What is the best type of edger for a small lawn?
For a small lawn, a manual wheel edger is cost-efficient and easy to use. It gives a neat look while preventing grassroots from growing into unwanted areas.
How often should I be edging my lawn?
You should edge your lawn every three mowing sessions or whenever the edges start to look untidy. It is also common practice to edge the lawn after each mowing session for a well-groomed look.
Can using an edger impact grass growth?
Using an edger will not impact grass growth negatively. It will actually give your lawn a neater look and save you time trimming overgrown grass from sidewalks and flower beds. Happy edging!
Is it possible to edge a lawn without any specialized tools?
A lawn edger is the most efficient tool for edging, but you can use a garden spade in a pinch. Your lawn will look much neater once edged regularly.
I never knew there were so many steps involved in edging a lawn.
Thank you for reading! Edging your lawn is indeed a detailed process, but the results are worth it. I hope this information helps you in maintaining a well-groomed lawn.
Great tips for edging a lawn properly.
Thank you for your kind words, Rachel! Happy to help you achieve a well-groomed lawn with proper edging techniques. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Are there any environmental benefits to lawn edging?
Regular lawn edging not only gives a neat appearance but also prevents grass infiltrating unwanted areas like sidewalks and flower beds. It’s a practical and aesthetic benefit to your lawn.