How to Edge Your Lawn the Right Way, According to Landscape Pros

Whether you’re looking to create a barrier between your turf and a flowerbed or just want to ensure that the grass around your driveway and sidewalk looks crisp, edging your lawn can help you create distinct sections in your landscape. This can cut costs and make it easier when it comes time to mow since you won’t have to negotiate around hardscaping features that may require extra effort during your regular lawn maintenance routine. 

Ahead, read our expert advice on creating the perfect edge for your lawn, including step-by-step instructions on how to get it done.  

Tools You’ll Need

• Edging tool (rotary scissors, string trimmer/bar edger, crescent edger, sod lifter, etc)
• Shovel or spade
• Edging materials if opting for a physical border
• Edging guide (a straight edge, strings and stakes, or paint)
• Leaf blower or rake for cleanup 
• Safety glasses, ear protection, and a mask for those who are sensitive to grass clippings

Instructions 

Step One: Protection and Precautions 

Before you get started, you’ll want to remember to check with your local utility companies to ensure that there are no buried lines under where you plan to dig. 

Once that’s done, Daniel Carpenter, expert landscaper at The Barlow, says you’ll want to gather your safety gear, which he says should include eye, hearing, and respiratory protection as appropriate. “A sturdy pair of boots/shoes and long pants is always a good idea when using sharp tools around the lower extremities,” he adds. 

Step Two: Clean and Prep the Space

For the best results, you’ll want to begin with a clean surface, which is why Carpenter says it’s important to mow and tidy up a bit before you get started. “If working around flower beds, using a fan rake to pull mulch back from the edge can help keep it cleaner and free of dirt,” he says.

Step Three: Pick Your Tools

There are a variety of different tools you can use when edging, depending on what you have at your disposal and how much work you’re willing to do to tackle this task. “Shovels shine on really overgrown sidewalks and cutting fresh edges around flower beds lacking borders, while string trimmers and rotary scissors can really put a crisp edge on a nicely mowed lawn,” Carpenter says, adding that you’ll want to choose your method based on which area you’re working with.  

“Caution should be shown when working around surfaces or features that could be marred or scratched by tools,” he says. “A string trimmer can really chew up wooden or plastic steps and borders.”

Step Four: Create an Outline

Pick a starting spot and get to work with your chosen implements. “You’ll want to mark off the area that you are planning to edge or cut out with spray paint, or if you have string and stakes for a straighter line, you can mark this way as well,” says Sara Abbass, owner of Sara Mairead Landscape Design and co-founder and executive board member Northport Native Garden Initiative.

If you want a super straight line, Carpenter says you can use a piece of PVC pipe as well. As for smooth curves, he has a surprising hack for getting the best-rounded finish. “A rubber garden hose can be used to help layout your planned border.”

Step Five: Make Your Cuts

Abbass says you’ll want to use a spade to cut along the spray or string line for those initial cuts. “When you press into the soil, you won’t want to go too deep as you will want to just remove the sod, which is about two inches into the soil, she says, adding that you should be able to easily lift the sod off the soil once separated if you’re using a manual device to edge.

If you’re using a power edger, Abbass says you can get the best results by turning it on its side to move in one direction along the intended line. “It is often that you will see sod may be edged away from hardscape depending on the preference of the homeowner, but we would never recommend more than 1/2 to 1 inch of clearing (dirt) before transitioning from hardscape to sod.” 

Step Six: Clean Up

Carpenter says you can dispose of those bits of turf and weeds in your yard waste or compost bin. “Clipped grass and dirt [can be] blown back into the turf and any displaced mulch returned. Take care not to leave mulch piled around trees.” 

Practical Tips for Edging Your Lawn

When deciding between going the manual route and opting for something with a bit more power, Carpenter says there are a few things to consider. For example, with rotary scissors and string trimmers, you’ll get more speed and precision, but you may end up with a bigger mess.

On the other hand, manual equipment can be easy to work with—especially for those who are less comfortable wielding more high-powered machinery—but he says they do require a lot more labor and time to complete your project. 

But no matter which tools you pick, Carpenter says you can get a nice finish if you double up on the process, making your cuts twice. “Along flower beds, a second cut or pass at a shallow angle coming from the sidewalk or flower-bed side can help with especially overgrown areas and creates a nice buffer zone.”

As for Abbass, she says you can cut down on the maintenance of edging your lawn by using a barrier between your grass and the rest of your yard. “An alternative way of edging a garden bed is to consider adding plant material such as sedges, small grasses or compact plants that may naturally edge the border and reduce the need for power tools and/or manual labor.”