Lawn edging might seem like a boring task, but a well-edged lawn makes a big difference in curb appeal. A crisp edge gives your yard a tidy, finished look. It also helps keep mulch, soil, and grass where they belong. So how often do you need to do it? That depends on how sharp you want those edges to stay, and how fast your grass grows. If you’ve been wondering if this task is worth your time, or how often you should fit it into your routine, keep reading.
How Often to Edge Beds
You don’t need to edge your planting beds every weekend, but you do need to do it more than once a year. Most people get good results by edging their beds once every 1–2 months during the growing season. In colder climates, that usually means March through October. If your grass grows fast, or your garden has lots of curves and borders, you may need to do it a bit more often.
Once you've done the main edge job early in the season, it's very easy to do regular maintenance during lawn care. For crisp lines and a clean edge year-round, aim for about 6–8 times per year. If you only want to refresh things now and then, edging 3–4 times a year can still keep the shape from disappearing. Timing also matters. If you're already out mowing, a quick walk around the yard with a string trimmer afterwards does wonders to keep a neat edge. Keeping it on the same schedule makes it easier to remember and easier to manage.
When to Do Lawn Edging
The best time for lawn edging is when the soil is moist but not muddy. After a rain, or after watering, the soil is soft enough for the tool to cut through easily. Dry soil is tougher and can cause more jagged edges. Avoid edging right after a heavy downpour; you don’t want to damage soft, wet ground or leave muddy ruts.
Spring is the best time to do your first deep edge of the year. This sets the shape early and makes it easier to keep up. After that, spot-touching or re-cutting the line with manual tools every few weeks keeps the beds neat. If you're using a power edger, spring and fall are great times to go deeper and sharper, while mid-summer may need only a light pass.
Do I Really Need to Edge My Beds?
It depends on the look you want. If you're happy with a relaxed, natural edge, you might skip edging your garden borders altogether. But if you want clean lines and better separation between grass and garden or flower beds, edging makes a big difference.
Some reasons people edge their beds:
- Stops lawn grass from creeping into flower beds
- Keeps fresh mulch in your mulch beds and not spilling into the lawn
- Gives your yard a more polished look
- Makes mowing and trimming easier
- Highlights the shapes of your garden beds
You don’t need expensive tools. A simple half-moon edger or flat shovel does the job. Some homeowners like the speed of a power edger, but hand tools work fine with regular upkeep.
How do I decide on my garden edging shape?
You want crisp lawn edges but don't know what to do? Some of it comes down to your personal preferences. Are you a straight lines, straight edges kind of person, or curved edges, curved lines kind of person? Personally, I'm a straight lines kind of person, but curves are so much easier to create and maintain in my experience. Curved beds are also more friendly for lawn mowing.
What’s the Best Way to Edge Garden Beds?
- Choose edging tools that make it easier. We use manual edging tools like a half-moon edger or flat spade.
- Plan your line. Walk the edge of your garden bed to plan your line, or use a garden hose to create desired curves or wooden boards if you want a straight, well-defined edge.
- Careful of hidden dangers. Make sure you're not going to chop any underground irrigation lines.
- Firm and even cuts, over and over. Press the tool into the soil a few inches deep, cutting straight down or slightly outward. Continue around the bed, keeping a smooth shape.
- Remove edge trimmings. Scoop out the excess soil or grass to form a small trench. You don't want any pieces of grass or weeds re-rooting. Put them in a bucket and relocate the pieces to the compost or a waste bin.
- Checkin' it twice. Step back and check the bed edge from different angles. Is it even? Did you go rogue anywhere?
- Repeat the process every 4-6 weeks during the growing season to keep a fresh edge.
Do I need edging material?
Instead of using expensive edging material, we always opt for a natural edge. If you have a very well-manicured lawn and like the look of it, there are also metal or plastic edge liners that can extend the life of your well-maintained edges. It creates a clear separation that's harder for grass to spread over. Edging material also gives you a vertical edge that you can use your string trimmer up against.
