Achieving the perfect edge between your garden or flower beds and your lawn doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In fact, with a gas-powered edger, giving your yard great curb appeal is all about making the perfect cut.
Once you’ve determined what’s growing in your garden and where it will be located, and one you have prepped the space, make an outline of the desired shape for your bed using a hose or rope, then adjust as needed. Try to keep natural curves instead of uneven or forced arcs. Once you have the shape exactly as you want it, use a bright color to spray paint over the hose or rope to form a concrete outline for edging.
Using an edger like the Troy-Bilt® TBE550, follow the outline and deliver a clean, precise edge by cutting around your bed. For smaller beds, it’s recommended you use a half-moon edger. Edgers with beveling capabilities make the job easier, as they have the ability to create angled edges. And a curb hop wheel enables the edger to ride along the raised curb, maintaining balance and giving you easier access for a precise cut.
Once you’re done edging, clean up the loose debris, weeds, sticks and any unwanted plants. Do not fill in the trough you created with the edger when you mulch the garden, and keep in mind that occasional routine maintenance throughout the summer will keep your edge looking crisp. Use a string trimmer, like the Troy-Bilt 252S, turned vertically to cut back grass.
Finally, in the fall, neaten up the edges one last time so you’ll have a head start in the spring. And don’t let your hard work go to waste; spend a little time each spring maintaining your edges so they look perfect year after year.
