Outdoor Power Tool Reviews

Edging and Trimming Your Lawn Properly

Written by admin on April 10, 2010 – 4:00 pm -

When Edging Becomes Abuse
Weeds along the edge of your lawn are usually the result of unintentional damage caused by you or your lawn service when edging or trimming. In particular, it is caused when string trimmers are turned sideways and used as edgers. Done properly this shouldn't damage your lawn, but it's almost never done properly. The problem is that when a trimmer's string makes contact with the ground, it tends to pull the trimmer head towards the lawn, chopping up the grass and underlying soil. The soil that gets kicked up creates greater opportunities for weed seed to germinate, and the regular beating the grass takes from the trimmer makes it easier for weeds to become established.

If you use a lawn service, insist that they use an edger, not a trimmer, to edge your lawn. If you cut your own grass and don't own an edger, use a straight-edge spade to cut a defined edge where your lawn meets the sidewalk or driveway at the beginning of the season, and redefine it every month or so. When trimming, hold the trimmer at an angle, and make sure that at the lower edge, the trimmer string is hitting the top edge of the sidewalk or driveway. This can protect the grass and keep dirt from getting kicked up.

Tags: Landscaping, Landscaping Tips, Lawn Care
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