How To Edge A Garden Bed With A Spade
How to create flower bed edging like a pro!
New! Video has been added to the bottom of this post!
And be sure to visit Part 2 – How to freshen up flowerbed edges with updated pictures
Once upon a time, my pro gardener brother showed me his special flower bed edging he used. And I've been using this method ever since!
Lawn edging a garden bed is easier than you may think, very cost effective, and you will NOT believe the outstanding curb appeal resulting from a little bit of lawn and flowerbed edging!
Flower bed edging takes a little effort at first, but it is easy to do yourself and the trimming is easy to maintain.
So put away the plastic edging or metal edging materials or brick edging this round… which always seem to deteriorate over time. You won't need anything else other than the durability of your own lawn! Which never wears out.
Here's to create flower bed edging like a pro!
Every so often I get asked how in the world I achieved my impressive flower bed edges and maintain them. So it was time to share my pro gardener brother's secrets.
Before
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Does this overgrown flower bed edging look familiar? Messy weeds meets sunken pirate treasure. However let's focus on the edge between the dirt and flower bed:
Issues:
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- Soil is the same height as lawn.
- Grass has grown over the edge into the flower bed.
- Not enough breathing space between the lawn edge and plants.
At least the flowers are pretty…
However this overall flower bed has overgrown plants, and the flower bed edging needs to be redone. Let's create a clean edge once again!
So here's how edging flower beds like a pro can really ramp up the curb appeal to your yard!
How to create flower bed edging like a pro
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This post contains some Amazon affiliate links in which I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank-you for helping to support my blog!
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Supplies I used:
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half moon edger
hand garden trowel
hand garden cultivator (I like this set!)
garden sheers
yard trimmer (this is mine)
rubber-dipped garden loves (my fav!)
knee pads
or garden kneeler
Cut and shape the flowerbed
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1. Create the shape for your flowerbeds with a garden hose or heavy twine for guidance. Using a half moon edger, cut along your line. A half moon edger is a wonderful edging tool that is simple to use!
2. Cut the shape of the flowerbed by stepping on the half moon edger while moving with your shape guide.
Tip: For the sharpest, easiest cuts, angle the half moon edger and cut on its side vs. straight up and down.
Remove the turf
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3. Scoop or dig out the cut chunks of turf.
I like to cut the chunks of turf, then tap the soil off with a garden trowel, then flip the turf chunks upside down in the compost pile.
If upside down, the grass composts and the works will turn into mulch/soil. If right side up, you'll grow a new chunk of lawn in the compost. Then you'll have to edge that… (kidding) (sort of)
Dig a shallow trench
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4. Using a garden trowel or small shovel, create a shallow trench along your fresh lawn edge cut, mounding the soil up towards your flower bed.
A trench creates a place for water to drain and soil to fall. And offers a shadow for a nice clean look. You wait and see!
Mound up the soil
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But the key here is to lessen the hill a little otherwise your soil will continue to fall. Just push the mound of soil further down the flower bed so the result is a more shallow mound.
Trim the lawn edges
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5. With garden shears, trim the grass edges horizontally and vertically for a nice sharp edge in all directions.
Your grass clippings can be easily scooped up by hand to clean things up or left to compost.
My fav yard trimmer (read post HERE)
You can also accomplish sharp lawn edging with a yard trimmer head twisted upside down, (HERE is one similar to mine) however you will not achieve quite the same quality as when cut with a sharp blade.
The outstanding flower bed edging results!
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Then stand back and GASP at your awesomeness. This crisp and clean lawn edging really makes an outstanding garden edge!
Straight edges vs. curves?
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Tip: When I cut flower bed edge shapes, I attempt gentle curves that fit a lawnmower turn which makes mowing your lawn easier.
Cutting curves vs. straight lines also visually soften outdoor spaces and adds to the natural charm.
Allow some soil to show
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A little breathing space in between the cut edge and plants is nice too. It offers a cleaner look and is easier to maintain when mowing.
Isn't that lawn edging seriously gorgeous?
How to edge flower beds like a pro illustration
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Above is an illustration of the flowerbed edging.
How to maintain the flower bed edging
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Now know, there is a little maintenance to keeping this up. However if you stay on top of it, you won't find much of an issue. The finished pro look this offers is so worth it!
1. Trim the grass edges (horizontally and vertically) after each mow. Just like a fresh haircut, you won't believe the difference this makes. If the edges get overgrown a little, you can always recut new edges to start over again.
2. How to mow – I push the lawn mower along the edge, stop, rotate towards the soil, tap down, lift up, then straighten up the lawnmower again. I do this all along the edges to reduce the need to edge by hand horizontally.
Or just mow as close as you can, then follow up with a yard trimmer after mowing.
3. Grass blades will fall onto the soil when you trim. Simply remove the grass clippings by hand, then fluff up the soil again. The rest of the grass clippings will compost in the soil.
Read How to refresh flower bed edges in Part 2 HERE
BEFORE
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This before shot above is a typical mid-summer look if left unattended. This is so easily fixed with just a little sweat equity!
AFTER
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The difference a quick cut and fluff makes along a flower bed edge is absolutely astonishing! It does not even look like the same yard.
And if Jenna's happy, I'm happy!
How to edge flower beds like a pro video
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Click above to watch the easy process in a short video!
Music: Summer by wwwbensound.com
I'm just showing you one flower bed edged. Now imagine ALL your flower beds with lawn edging this gorgeous!
And now it's time to rest up with the flower bed edging until next time. Well done, Jenna!
Think you'll try this method of flower bed edging? If you try, I hope you come back to report your success!
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Make this cool reclaimed wood fence without cutting any boards!
Other current favs!
How To Edge A Garden Bed With A Spade
Source: https://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2012/07/how-to-edge-flower-beds-like-pro.html
Posted by: gossforproing.blogspot.com
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