Can I Use a Lawn Edger on My Garden Bedding?

Using a Lawn Edger

• The use of a lawn edger simplifies the process of laying out the outline of the garden bed. Mark the path of your garden bed's edge, and follow it with the edger. Opt for a linear geometric outline for a formal feel, or go organic with curves that meander around existing landscape forms for a naturally defined garden layout.

  The clean cuts through the undisturbed lawn or soil spare the homeowner from the backbreaking task of cutting into the soil with a spade shovel. Once the edging is defined, it is easy to see how the garden bed will look and the edging makes it easy to clear and enhance the soil in that space without disturbing the neighboring lawn.

Maintenance

• Grass spreads through seeds, underground stems and roots, requiring that periodic lawn edging touch-ups are necessary. Make it a biweekly routine to inspect the edge of the garden bed for any grass intrusion or overflow from the garden bed itself. Be prepared to break out the lawn edger again to refresh the appearance of the garden bed's edge. Periodic maintenance will maintain the garden bed's professional look and the overall appearance of the landscape.

Solutions

• Incorporate ready-made edging solutions into the outline of the garden bed to minimize the maintenance along its edge. For seasonal edging that may be changed out every few years, use the low plastic edging by digging a trench along the edge of the garden and inserting it into the soil. Its top edge will remain visible, but the part beneath the soil line will block the grass roots and underground stems from intruding into the garden bed.

  More permanent edging solutions utilize stones, bricks and pavers to mark the line between the garden bed and the lawn. Set them permanently in the soil, and they will last for many years.

Border Planting

• Border planting further defines the purpose of the lawn edging when right along the edge of the garden bed. Whether with the use of a lawn edger or with edging materials, low-growing border flowers, plants and vines create a separation and visual stop for where the lawn ends and the garden begins. For vegetable garden beds, select complementary flowers that repel pests or that do not deplete the soil of its nutrients, such as marigolds, lavender, nasturtium and daisies.