Lawn Care Basics
How to Edge a Lawn
Having neat edges along walkways, driveways, and planting beds gives your lawn a professional look everyone will admire. Here's how to do it.
Give your lawn a polished look by creating a professional edge along walks, driveways, and planting beds. All you need to get a sharp lawn edge is a cordless string trimmer. When edging your lawn, you’ll want to wear boots, pants, goggles to protect yourself from sticks and stones the trimmer might kick up.
Of course, the best edging in the world won’t mean a thing unless your lawn looks lush, green, and beautiful. Help it reach its gorgeous potential by using Scotts® Turf Builder® lawn foods and Scotts® weed control products.
Here’s how to edge your lawn like a pro in 5 simple steps:
1. Mow First
By mowing first, you know how short to trim grass along edges and will be less likely to scalp those areas, which can lead to bare or weedy patches.
2. Flip the Trimmer
To use a string trimmer to edge a lawn, flip the trimmer head 180 degrees, so that it’s vertical. Keep the deflector shield toward your body.
3. Follow the Path
When edging along walks or driveways, walk on the hard surface as you edge. Keep the trim line in the small space between the grass and hard surface. If grass has overgrown the walk or drive, cut it back a little at a time by working the string against the hard surface.
4. Control the Trimmer
For the straightest edge, keep your string trimmer level and in the same position as you trim. Focus on keeping your arms in place and moving your body slowly and deliberately—that’s what the pros do.
5. Move in the Right Direction
Most trimmers spin string clockwise. Take advantage of this by moving left to right as you trim. This will eject trimmings away from walkways and beds and back onto the lawn, so you’ll have less cleanup to do.
One last thing: Be sure to use a stiff brush to thoroughly clean the trimmer immediately after you use it, before grass bits dry and harden. That way, the equipment will be ready to go next time your edges need a touch-up!
