A well-manicured lawn is aesthetically pleasing and adds to your property’s overall value. One of the critical aspects of maintaining a beautiful lawn is edging.
Edging helps create clean lines and separates the lawn from other garden beds or paving. Using a shovel is an excellent option if you’re looking for an inexpensive, low-maintenance way to edge your lawn.
But do you know how to edge your lawn with a shovel?
In this article, we’ll take you through the steps involved in edging your lawn with a shovel.
How to Edge Your Lawn With a Shovel Properly
Edging your lawn with a shovel is straightforward and requires only a few basic tools. In this article, we’ll show you how to prepare for the job, edge the lawn, and maintain the edge once it’s been created.
Preparation
Before you start edging your lawn, there are a few preparations that you need to make.
Firstly, gather the materials you’ll need. It includes,
- Shovel: A sharp, flat-edged shovel with a blade approximately 8-10 inches wide and 12-14 inches long.
- Gloves: A pair of gloves to protect your hands from cuts and blisters.
- Garden hose: A garden hose to mark the edge of your lawn and to clean the area once you’ve finished edging.
- Marking paint or string line: A spray can of marking paint or a string line to mark the edge of your lawn. The string line should be long enough to reach the entire perimeter of your lawn.
- Garden shears: A pair of garden shears to trim any grass that grows over the edge.
Note: The measurements listed above are approximate and may vary depending on the size of your lawn and personal preference.
Next, you need to mark the edge of your lawn. This will help you create a clear and straight line to follow when digging the trench. You can use a string line or a spray can of marking paint to mark the edge of your lawn.
Finally, remove any obstructions such as rocks, roots, or other debris that may be in the way. This will make edging the lawn much easier and more efficient.
Edging the Lawn: A Step-by-Step Guide with Detailed Process
Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Mark the Edge
To start, you need to mark the edge of your lawn. You can use a garden hose, marking paint or a string line for this.
If you choose to use a garden hose, gently sweep the hose around the perimeter of your lawn to mark the edge.
If you prefer to use marking paint, spray the paint along the edge of your lawn, making sure to follow the shape of the edge.
If you choose to use a string line, attach the string to two stakes placed at either end of the edge you want to mark, and then stretch the string along the edge.
Step 2: Remove Any Existing Grass
Before you start digging the trench, it’s important to remove any grass that is growing over the edge of your lawn. You can do this using a pair of garden shears.
Cut the grass as close to the ground as possible, making sure not to damage the roots.
Step 3: Dig a Trench
Starting at one end of the marked edge, use your shovel to dig a trench along the edge of your lawn. Make sure the blade of the shovel is perpendicular to the ground to create a straight line.
Dig down to a depth of approximately 2-3 inches. Keep the blade of the shovel level and dig straight down to ensure a consistent depth throughout the trench.
Step 4: Remove the Soil
As you dig the trench, remove the soil and place it onto a nearby tarp or wheelbarrow. This will keep the area clean and make it easier to fill the trench once you have finished edging.
Continue this process until you have dug a trench around the entire perimeter of your lawn.
Step 5: Smooth the Edge
Using the flat edge of your shovel, gently smooth the edge of the trench to create a clean line. This will help remove any rough edges and create a neat, clean boundary between your lawn and other garden areas.
Step 6: Fill in Any Gaps
If there are any gaps in your trench, fill them with soil and smooth out the edge. Make sure to fill the gaps, as this will help to create a uniform edge around your lawn.
Step 7: Clean Up
Finally, it’s time to clean up the area. Remove any leftover soil and grass clippings, and use your garden hose to wash away any marking paint or string line. Store your tools safely, ready for your next gardening project.
With these detailed steps, you’ll be able to edge your lawn with a shovel like a pro. Regular edging will help keep your lawn looking neat and tidy, and will make a great first impression on anyone visiting your garden.
Maintaining the Edge
- Keep the edge of your lawn trimmed regularly: Trimming the edge of your lawn regularly will help to maintain the sharp, clean line you have created. You can use a pair of garden shears or an edging tool to keep the edge in good condition.
- Re-dig the trench periodically: Over time, soil and grass may shift and fill in the trench you created. To keep the edge neat, you may need to re-dig the trench periodically. This can be done using the same steps outlined in the previous section.
- Fill in any gaps: If you notice any gaps in your trench, fill them in with soil as soon as possible. This will help to prevent the grass from growing over the edge and ruining the clean line of your lawn.
- Water the edge regularly: Regular watering will help keep the soil moist and prevent it from drying. This will help maintain the trench’s shape and keep the grass from growing over the edge.
- Consider using a weed barrier: If you have problems growing along the edge of your lawn, consider using a weed barrier. This will prevent weeds from taking root and help maintain the clean line of your lawn.
Following these tips can keep your lawn looking neat for years. Regular maintenance is the key to maintaining the edge of your lawn; with a little effort, you can enjoy a beautiful and well-manicured lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s check some FAQs for you.
Q: What type of shovel is best for edging?
A: A sharp, flat-edged shovel is best for edging as it cuts through grass and soil cleanly and precisely.
Q: Can I edge my lawn with a spade instead of a shovel?
A: Yes, you can use a spade instead of a shovel for edging your lawn. A spade is similar to a shovel, but it has a narrower blade and is more suited to digging in tight spaces. When using a spade, it’s important to keep the blade perpendicular to the ground to create a straight line.
Q: How often should I edge my lawn?
A: It depends on the growth and maintenance your lawn receives. Generally, you should edge your lawn once or twice a year or more often if you notice the grass growing over the edge.
Q: Can I use a machine for edging my lawn?
A: Yes, there are many different machines available for edging lawns. These include gas-powered edgers, electric edgers, and manual edgers.
While these machines can make the process of edging faster and easier, they also require more maintenance and are more expensive to purchase. Using a shovel is a great choice if you prefer a low-maintenance option.
Wrapping Up
Edging your lawn with a shovel is a simple and cost-effective way to keep your garden looking neat.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to create a clean boundary between your lawn and other areas of your garden. With a little bit of regular maintenance, you’ll be able to keep your lawn looking great for years to come.