For this reason, many people might opt to invest in a lawn edger tool to get that professional finish for a fraction of the cost.
However, if you have never used an edger for your lawn before, it is important to learn how to use a lawn edger before you get started. This will ensure that you get the best and most immaculate-looking final result.
In this article, we will be looking at how to find the right garden edger tool and the best way to edge a lawn, giving you the confidence to get outside and get edging!
There are four different types of lawn edger, and this relates to how they are powered. Gas, electric and battery-operated lawn edge trimmers rely on some sort of power to keep them going, whereas a manual garden edger relies on your strength and movement.
Finding the right type of lawn edging tool for you requires you to pay attention to various factors.
The Size of the Lawn
If you have a tiny garden, a manual edger may be sufficient. In contrast, more significant lawned areas will require something powered to avoid you having to over-exert yourself physically.
However, there are other things to consider here. Electric lawn edgers do give you the power you will need to tackle larger grassed areas; however, since you are connected to a power source, you are limited on how far you can reach. Therefore, particularly massive lawns may not benefit from this option.
Petrol and battery-powered lawn edge trimmer are ideal for vast spaces since you are not tethered to a wire nor do they require large physical demands from the user.
Power
It is widely accepted that gas-powered lawn trimmers are far superior in terms of power when compared to other powered models. That being said, some of the modern battery and electric edgers closely rival this.
Furthermore, where gas edgers are concerned, there are hugle powerful walk-behind models which are ideal for large, flat lawns.
The type of grass edger that you choose will largely depend on how much power you require. For more rigid ground, a gas model might give you the edge, whereas less challenging land may require nothing more than a manual tool.
Budget
The most affordable lawn edger trimmers come in the form of a manual device. These are so cost-effective as they do not require any external power.
In contrast, powered options are more costly, with gas being the most expensive thanks to the intricate engine.
You should consider how much you are willing to spend on a garden edging tool Most people find that an electric or battery-powered edger is great since they are middle-of-the-road where the price is concerned.
Blades
Multi-Function
One of the great things about many of the modern powered garden tools is that you will often get more than one tool per device. In the case of lawn edgers, many convert into min-mowers, trimmers and trenchers.
If you want to kill two (or three) birds with one stone, then these multi-function tools are a great way to go.
Preparing Your Lawn Before Edging
Preparation is key in almost all jobs and edging your lawn is no exception. If you want to achieve that professional look that will make your garden the envy of all your neighbours, this is crucial.
That being said, preparation isn’t difficult, but if you have a large lawn, it may be time consuming.
Be sure to wear the correct gear before you get started on the job, this will prevent injury and keep you clean. The most useful personal protection equipment in this situation are long sleeved tops and pants, safety goggles, leg protectors and ear defenders if you are using a noisy, powered edging tool.
The first thing you need to do is cut your grass to the desired length. Not only will this give you a better overall appearance but it will also mean that the visibility of the edges is not obstructed by overgrown blades of grass.
Once you are happy with the lawn, you can then go on to outline the edge. You may use something as simple as a garden hose to mark out the edges, or invest in some professional wires for a more precise cut – either way will work well.
You should create a gap of about ½ inch between the lawn and the flower bed, pathway, drive of other edges and this thin strip of grass will be where you use the edging tool.
Before you pick up your lawn trimmer, be sure to clear the area of any debris such as large roots, rock or other obstacles. Not only will this make trimming the edges easier, it will also make it safer.
Edging Your Lawn
How you edge your lawn will vastly depend on the type of edger that you are using. This part of the guide will give you some handy edging yard tips to show you how to edge grass properly.
Using a Manual Edger
One of the most common and affordable types of edger is the manual edger and many homeowners with small lawns favour these for their convenience and ease of use.
There are two types of manual tool, these are the half-moon edger and the rotary manual edger.
Let’s take a look at how to use a hand edger.
- Using a half-moon tool requires you to place the blade close to the edge of the cement. Be careful to closely follow your markings and this will ensure that you stay on track and do not cut a jagged or uneven line.
- Once the blade is in position, you can now step on the top of the blade and put on as much pressure as you need to get the blade into the ground.
- This process can be repeated as many times as necessary until the entire area is edged.
- If you are using a rotary manual edger, be prepared to have something of a workout! The blade should be positioned in the same way as above but this time, you will roll the blade across a small area until the desired depth is reached.
Using a Powered Edger
When learning how to edge a lawn it is important to understand how to use a gas lawn edger as these offer the most incredible amount of power.
Electric edgers, whether corded or cordless can be operated in much the same way, so we will cover how to use all types of powered edger below.
- Your lawn edger tool will likely have a height adjustment option which can be altered depending on how deep you want to cut. For beginners, it is a wise idea to stick to around 2 inches as this will prevent damaging the larger area while maintaining a sufficient edge.
- Begin by turning on the motor and allowing the edger to warm up first. This simply means letting the blades spin for a few moments before you start work. How you power on the device will depend on the type of edger you are using – gas edging tools usually require you to pull a power cord whereas electric models can be activated using a push button.
- Place the tool in the desired location and allow the blades to do their job – you can use your sense of hearing to determine when the required depth has been met. As the edging tool cuts through the ground, it will make far more noise. As the dirt is shifted, things will go a little quieter. This will let you know that it is time to move to the next part of the boundary.
- You can push the edger along when you are ready to tackle the next bit of land and using your core strength will give you greater control over the device. You might be surprised at just how powerful these garden tools are.
- There may be times when the edger becomes stuck on something within the ground – and this can happen no matter how meticulous you are about clearing the area beforehand. You cannot predict what may be below the surface. If the blades slow down or stop spinning altogether, this could indicate that there is an obstruction. In this case, simply pull the tool back and allow the blades to return to full power before continuing.
Further Tips For Edging The Lawn
Regardless of the type of lawn edger that you are using, you should be sure to take your time. If the job is rushed, you may end up with uneven or wobbly lines that completely ruin the aesthetic of the lawn.
The first few times you attempt the job will likely be the most challenging, but once you have gotten a good edge, it is simply a matter of maintaining it.
Furthermore, during the edging process, be sure to look back and check that you are staying on track. A good rule of thumb is to assess your accuracy at least every 5-6 feet.
If you come across weeds or vegetations along the way, you can remove this – one of the main advantages of edging the grass, aside from looking good is that it will hinder the growth of weeds, especially around flower beds.
After you’re finished edging your lawn, It’s a good idea to clean the nearby area by either using a leaf blower or leaf vacuum.
Maintaining Edges
Once you have carved out your edges, maintaining them is a relatively straightforward job and shouldn’t take up too much of your time.
You should schedule in a ‘top-up’ edging session around once a month, this will ensure that the edges maintain a consistent depth.
Of course, your grass will likely grow far more quickly and using an edge trimmer to cut the blades of grass will ensure that they do not overtake your hard work. Using a string trimmer at an angle will ensure that your lawn edge looks blended as opposed to there being an abrupt end to the lawn before the neighbouring terrain follows.
Summary
A lawn edger is a fantastic way to create a manicured garden that will easily rival one completed by a professional landscape gardener. However, if you have not used one of these tools before, learning how to do it correctly can mean the difference between a perfect lawn and one that needs returfing!
Our handy tips for edging your lawn provide you with all the information you need to know to get started – from choosing the right edger, to the finer details of the job.
Once you are finished, all that is left to do is to sit back and admire your beautifully pristine lawn.
