Mastering the art of knowing how to edge a lawn with an edger can help you transform the look of your property.
As an often-overlooked task, it’s one of the best ways to achieve an immaculate finish once you’ve completed mowing.
Alternatively, edging is a fantastic way to separate spaces of your yard, such as garden beds and walkways.
How To Edge a Lawn With an Edger
Let’s go over the simple steps that you can take to capitalize on the difference between a professional and ordinary lawn.
Step #1: Choose Your Tools
The first step to edging your lawn is to make sure you have the right tools at your disposal.
For this project, you will need the best edger, but the choice falls between a manual or powered model.
Let’s look into the differences between the two to help you decide which one works best for your needs.
- Powered Edgers
When you opt for a powered edger, you’ll choose between an electric or gas-powered model.
Some homeowners prefer gas-powered devices since they are often regarded as the more robust and faster choice.
However, electric edgers have improved considerably over recent years, offering near gas-like performance.
One of the most significant benefits of electric edgers is that they’re more lightweight.
They also produce less noise, which is ideal for quiet residential neighborhoods.
You might also find that the convenience of recharging a battery rather than dealing with fuel is preferable.
If you own a larger property, a gas-powered tool could be a better alternative.
With their higher power levels, you can tackle thick and heavy brush with ease, achieving the perfect lines.
Although they produce emissions and are louder, they can be the most preferable option for heavy-duty jobs.
- Manual Edgers
Manual edgers are another alternative for managing divides in your lawn.
Some homeowners prefer to have a more customizable hands-on approach to manicuring their property.
Manual edgers can also be more convenient since you don’t have to worry about a power source.
With that said, they will require a lot more physical effort, which can increase your project’s length significantly.
Choosing manual edgers requires a little bit of research since there are different models like step lawn edgers or half-moon edgers.
The difference between the two is the shape of their blades and how they cut into your grass.
By far, the most considerable benefit of manual edgers is that they are significantly less expensive than powered models.
In fact, you can find manual edgers well below $25 without having to look too hard.
For consistency and ease of use, we highly recommend powered edgers.
Step #2: Mow Your Lawn
With the right tools in hand, it’s time to begin your general lawn maintenance steps, starting with mowing.
Mowing your lawn is highly recommended since it will give you a clear idea of how you’ll use your trimmer.
The most important thing to remember during this process is to keep your grass at a reasonable length.
Professional landscapers recommend cutting no more than 1/3” the length of your grass at a time.
Following this procedure ensures that you’ll never scalp your lawn or cut it too short.
If you expose too much of the roots to sunlight, there’s a higher chance of bare patches, burning, and weaker roots.
Step #3: Plan Your Edging
With your lawn at the ideal height for edging, it’s now time to begin planning where you need to edge.
This process is similar to taping before painting because you’ll want to plan your route to prevent any accidental cuts.
Otherwise, you might find that some areas are broader or narrower than expected, throwing the aesthetics off completely.
There are plenty of tools that you can use for this process, whether you use a garden hose, rope, or tape.
You could also consider using lawn chalk, a sprayable paint that washes away when exposed to water.
If you’re creating a brand new garden bed, sprayable chalk can be easier to see and work with.
It’s important to note that planning your edging might not be necessary, depending on what you’re doing.
For example, if you’re edging along your driveway, there’s no need to mark your route because you simply follow the length.
Step #4: Use Safety Gear
There’s nothing more important than ensuring you have all of the proper safety gear with you when doing lawn maintenance.
There are far too many types of dangerous debris that could be picked up and shot in your direction when using an edger.
For example, hidden twigs and tiny acorns could become very hazardous when exposed to 115mph speeds.
Our recommendation is to ensure you use safety glasses, first and foremost, to protect your eyes from flying debris.
It can also be beneficial to invest in ear protection, especially if you’re using a gas-powered edger.
If you’re particularly sensitive to allergens, such as pollen, a face mask can be worth the investment as well.
Step #5: Begin Edging the Perimeter
By this point, you’re more than ready to begin the edging process.
Take note of any potential hazards on your property, such as buried hazards, especially if you’re edging deeper into the ground.
If there are any potential hazards, it’s always recommended to call your municipality before digging.
When you start edging the perimeter, you’re going to want to ensure you hold the head of the trimmer at a 180-degree angle.
The head should be completely vertical to the ground, with the deflector shield facing you.
To ensure the straightest and most precise lines, try to walk on a hard surface, such as a sidewalk or driveway.
Beginners should always choose an unseen section of their property to test their edger beforehand.
Making a test patch can help you learn what to expect when it comes time to create the focal point of your yard.
Once you feel more comfortable with the tool, you can begin edging elsewhere.
Step #6: Maintain Proper Form
One of the most essential tips that every lawn maintenance professional can offer is to maintain proper form.
When you’re edging, how you hold the tool has a significant weight on what your lawn looks like.
If the edger is held at an incorrect angle, the lines won’t be straight but instead curved.
It’s also vital that you keep the edger level; otherwise, the grade of your cuts will differ.
Ideally, you want a perfectly level line around your property, as this also helps with straighter edges.
Try to move with your edger as its head rotates, allowing the blade or strings to spin effortlessly into the ground.
Step #7: Inspect the Job
After you’ve finished edging, always double back and take a look at your work.
If you see any jagged areas, remove the excess topsoil to see if you need to re-edge some parts.
After one to two extra passes, you should have a near-perfect line to show off.
Step #8: Clean Up
Any extra debris will be thrown onto your lawn when you edge, such as additional clippings and soil.
You should consider picking up any remnants as well as ensuring you clean your edger.
If you leave any debris on the blades or strings, it can harden and be challenging to remove in the future.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to edge a lawn with an edger is simpler than many homeowners expect.
With the correct posture and technique, you can perfectly edge the perimeter of your property.
Also, the more you practice, the easier the task will become, making it simpler to maintain your garden beds.