How to Edge Your Yard Without an Edger

An edged lawn has a clean and polished finish. While powered edgers make creating a sharp edge an easy gardening task, it's possible to achieve the same results without the use of such a tool. Warm-season grasses like bermudagrass, St. Augustine and zoysia have a tendency to spread and benefit from edging, not only for appearance sake, but to prevent running over into flowerbeds. Rather than an expensive edger, most homeowners own a shovel and can accomplish and maintain a clean edge with just a little muscle and time.

Things You'll Need

• File
• String line or marking paint
• Square-point shovel
• Small scoop shovel

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Check the condition of your shovel to ensure it has a sharp blade. Sharpen with a steel file if the blade is dull.

   • 2

     Lay the string or spray marking paint along the bed line to serve as a visual queue for the edge and to act as a guide.

   • 3

     Insert a square-point or small scoop shovel at a 45-degree angle, 4 to 6 inches deep into the ground. Lift and remove excess soil and dirt. Take out any remaining plugs of grass growing in thin turf areas.

   • 4

     Use your hands to remove remaining roots, grass clippings or rocks.

   • 5

     Repeat these steps as needed, depending on the type of grass and your edging preferences.