Transform Your Lawn’s Look with Proper Edging – Before and After Pictures Show the Striking Difference

A neatly edged lawn can make a dramatic difference in your home’s curb appeal. The clean lines and crisp definition along sidewalks, garden beds and driveways create a put-together polished look. However, keeping the edges neat is one of those lawn care tasks that’s easy to let slide. The work it takes to maintain a crisp edge can seem daunting. But armed with the right tools and techniques, you can get it done efficiently.

In this article, we’ll look at before and after pictures showing how edging transforms the look of a landscape. We’ll also cover tips and tools to make the job easier. With just a little effort, you can give your lawn that crisp, professional edge.

The Power of Edging

One of the quickest ways to improve the look of your lawn is by edging along hardscapes and garden beds The before and after difference is striking Edging gives your lawn a clean finish that says “well cared for” rather than unkempt.

Edging creates a clear boundary between the lawn and other features like:

• Sidewalks
• Driveways
• Walkways
• Flower and planting beds

The edge serves as a frame, highlighting the shape and contours of your landscaping features. This gives a polished, intentional look to the overall landscape.

Edging helps control grass encroachment as well. Over time, grass can spread into unwanted areas like garden beds, patios, or the driveway. Regularly re-defining the edges keeps this growth in check. Your other plants can thrive without competing with rogue grass.

Before and After Lawn Edging

Seeing a before and after of a freshly edged lawn shows how impactful this task can be. The transformation is remarkable. Here are some examples:

Crisp Sidewalk Edges

Notice the striking contrast in this sidewalk edge. The before photo shows grass straying into the paving stones. It looks overgrown and poorly maintained.

But the after shot shows how edging creates a clean border between lawn and sidewalk. The straight edge gives geometric definition to the soft, organic shapes of the lawn and garden beds.

Around Trees

Trees planted in the lawn often end up with grass encroaching on their root zone over time. Check out this before and after around a tree ring.

Re-edging the rounded bed edge makes the tree a focal point again. The crisp edge contains the grass, keeping it from invading the mulched root zone.

Driveway Definition

Grass can also spread into driveway cracks and edges. This before and after shows how edging returns definition to the driveway border.

The clean edge gives the driveway an intentional, maintained look. It prevents cars from tracking grass onto the pavement as well.

Garden Bed Containment

Edging around garden beds, as shown in this makeover, keeps the lawn from encroaching into planting areas. Plants can spread out without competing with grass.

The edge also makes a clear visual statement about where the bed ends and lawn begins. The contrast enhances the shape of the bed.

When to Edge Your Lawn

Aim to edge your lawn at least twice during the growing season. The best times are:

• Spring – Edge in early spring after the ground thaws. This removes any grass growth into hardscapes over winter. It also defines edges around spring bulbs and other early perennials.

• Mid-summer – Edge again in mid-summer. This keeps growth contained during the active growing months.

• Before winter – If possible, edge one more time before winter to maintain crisp edges. Prevent snow cover from hiding overgrowth.

Edge more frequently if you notice your lawn edges looking overgrown. High traffic areas like sidewalks and driveways may need edging monthly.

Edging Tools

Several types of tools are available for edging lawns:

Manual Edger

A manual edging tool consists of a half-moon shaped blade on a handle. Some models have a foot rest for pressing the blade into the soil.

This type of edger works well for small lawns. It takes effort but provides precision control. Look for a model with a comfortable grip and angled blade.

Power Edger

Power (or motorized) edgers use a motorized blade. They make the job easier on larger properties. Gas-powered models offer the most power. But electric corded and battery powered versions are powerful as well.

Power edgers allow you to edge longer lengths more efficiently. Look for adjustable depth settings and blade angle.

Lawn Tractor Attachment

You can add a power edger attachment to a lawn tractor. The edger blade mounts in front of the mower deck. This lets you edge lawn seams as you mow.

Edger attachments like this one provide a handy built-in solution if you already own a tractor. But you’ll still need a manual or walk-behind edger for detail areas.

Edging Techniques

Proper technique makes edging faster with better results:

• Edge after mowing so grass is short. Long blades bend rather than cut.

• Start edging with a clean-cut line about 1-2 inches outside the original edge. Don’t simply trace the existing edge. This prevents a ridge buildup.

• Maintain edger blade angle perpendicular to the ground. Adjust as needed on slopes.

• Work in sections for the cleanest look. Frequently stop to remove debris so the blade cuts cleanly.

• Apply even pressure on the handle to hold the blade steady. Don’t waver.

• Edge along the entire length before removing strips of sod. This prevents undercutting the edge.

• Remove grass strips and debris as you work. Compost or dispose of it promptly. Don’t leave them sitting on the lawn.

• Use a manual shear or power string trimmer to detail corners and contours the edger can’t reach.

Easy Edging Alternatives

Full lawn edging is labor intensive. Here are two easier alternatives that still enhance edges:

Power String Trimmer

A power string trimmer isn’t as precise as an edger. But you can use it to tidy up edges between full edging sessions. The string’s thickness makes it easier to tackle thicker grass growth.

Simply trim evenly along lawn perimeters to refresh edges periodically. It beats dragging out the edger for spot touch ups.

Border Trench

For low maintenance yet crisp edges, dig a narrow trench along lawns and beds. Line it with edging material or stones set even with the soil level. Then fill behind with gravel, leaving the grass side slightly low so soil can’t cross over.

The physical barrier blocks grass growth. Just use a string trimmer periodically to tidy the lawn along the textured edge.

Hire a Professional Lawn Care Service

Maintaining perfect lawn edges takes effort. If you want the look but not the work, hire a professional landscaping company. Most offer edging as an add-on service to regular mowing.

The crew will arrive with commercial grade power edgers and take care of the edges for you. For example, TruGreen offers edging as an enhancement option with their lawn care plans.

Compare rates if hiring edging service separately. Price varies based on frequency and size of your property. Professional edging makes it easy to keep your lawn edges photo ready.

Embrace Natural Edges

Very informal or natural style lawns can skip defined edging altogether. Simply let the grass blend gradually into other areas.

For example, a prairie style lawn might transition into native plantings or woodlands. Or you can allow clover or moss to mingle along the edges rather than grass.

Just be sure to remove weeds and unwanted grass from planting beds periodically. Then use organic mulch to further discourage encroachment.

Before and After Lawn Edging – It’s Worth the Effort

Hopefully these before and after lawn edging pictures inspire you to keep your lawn edges in top shape. The visual difference edges make is remarkable. A few hours invested periodically during the growing season yields big aesthetic rewards.

Use the right edging tools and techniques to make the work easier. The end result will have your landscape looking crisply manicured and intentional. Curb appeal and complements are sure to follow!