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How to cut clean lawn edges

A guide to edging lawns

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Wednesday, 27 May 2020 at 4:15 pm

Discover how to cut perfect lawn edges for a professional finish, using our simple practical guide.

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Overgrown lawn edges can look unsightly and make an otherwise healthy, well-cared for garden look untidy. For a professional finish, re-cut the edges of your lawn each spring and trim overhanging grass after mowing.

Find out how to do so, in our guide.

How to edge a lawn

You Will Need

Half-moon edger
Edging shears
Long-handled grass shears
Plank of wood or long rope

Total time: 1 hour

Step 1

How to cut clean lawn edges - re-cutting the edges

Re-cut the edges of your lawn in spring with a half-moon edging tool. For a straight edge, cut against a plank of wood; for a curve, trim along a rope laid on the edge of the lawn. Alternatively, simply follow the existing curve of the lawn.

Step 2

How to cut clean lawn edges - trimming the edges

After mowing, trim edges with long-handled edging shears, to cut grass the mower couldn't reach. For a really professional finish, remove the cuttings and pop them on the compost heap.

Step 3

How to cut clean lawn edges - cutting turf off a path

For grass which has grown over onto paths, use a sharp knife to cut the turf and pull pieces away.

Step 4

How to cut clean lawn edges - using long-handles grass shears

Where the lawn is flush with the path, long-handled grass shears may be more appropriate. These are shaped like scissors and enable you to get down to the same level as the lawn and path, and snip a clean edge.

Step 5

How to cut clean lawn edges - fixing metal sheeting to the edge

If you'd rather not regularly maintain your lawn edges, you may find spiked metal sheeting is a good alternative. This is fixed into the ground to retain the outline of the lawn, preventing the grass from growing into your borders. Looking for more lawn edging ideas? Check out our pick of the best lawn edging.

What’s the best lawn edger?

Edging a lawn with lawn shears

Edging the lawn is the final touch to the mowing regime and gives you a neat, manicured finish.

For small lawns, a pair of long-handled edging shears are the simple choice. Carbon steel blades are strong and can be sharpened regularly for a neat clipped edge but should be coated to ensure rust resistance. Telescopic handles will help you get the length right for you so you can do the job standing up straight and not put pressure on your back.

For larger lawns, or to speed up the job, look for an electric edger or a grass trimmer with an edging mode.
Try before you buy if you can, testing the weight of the edger and how easy it is to use. Many have depth control, a wheel to ensure a straight line and telescopic handles to ease back strain.

Grass trimmers with an edging option perform two jobs for the price of one but check that switching between jobs is simple. Some also have a wheel to help you achieve that neat edge.

There’s also the option of plug in or cordless - the latter is more expensive but there’s no cable to worry about and machines are quieter and less of a drain on your electricity in the long run.

Buy hand lawn edgers on Amazon

Buy electric lawn edgers on Amazon

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