How to Find and Use Manual Lawn Edgers
Clear boundaries between lawns, flowerbeds, and sidewalks are a mark of a well-maintained garden. A manual lawn edger gives you the precision you need to create them.
How Do I Choose a Manual Lawn Edger?
- Choose an edger with a comfortable-looking handle. If you have limited mobility, a lawn edger with a long handle means less bending down. Choosing an edger with an adjustable handle makes it easy to set it to the right height. Some handles come in ergonomic shapes with non-slip surfaces to make them easier to handle.
- Many manual edgers have one or more guide wheels alongside the blade. This makes it easier to follow a precise path along the edge of your lawn. Blade shape differs between different walk-behind edgers. Some have a disc with a sharpened edge while others use a star-shaped blade. Some also feature adjustable blades so you can set the depth of the cut.
- If you have a bigger lawn, you may find it easier to maintain it with a gasoline-powered or electric lawn edger. Some multi-purpose gardening tools also have an edging function, so you can sometimes use your string trimmer for edging if necessary.
Should I Choose a Walk-Behind or a Stick Edger?
- Rotary lawn edgers feature a rolling spiked wheel for edging your grass. Stick edgers have a sharpened blade instead, like a very small shovel. Half-moon edgers are more durable and great for light lawn maintenance but are less convenient if you have a lot of landscaping to edge.
- Stick edgers are great for complicated garden or sidewalk paving shapes as you don't have to worry about their turning circles. However, they also require more physical effort than wheel edgers and don't include built-in guidance.
- Four-wheeled walk-behind edgers are very popular for bigger gardens and professional landscaping as you don't have to support their weight.
How Should I Use a Lawn Edger in My Garden?
- Disc and half-moon edgers should be pushed into the ground with a foot to start the initial cut. Disc edgers often feature a foot plate to make this easier and keep your foot away from the blade. Spiked edgers will sink into the ground more easily.
- Once you have a rotary edger sunk into the ground, roll it backwards and forwards a short distance to put a clean edge on your grass. With a stick edger, use the handle to rock it from side to side. Loosened dirt and turf can then be removed with a shovel to keep your garden looking tidy.
- Remember to sharpen your lawn edger as needed to slice through dirt and grass easily. Some are self-sharpening, which reduces the amount of maintenance needed to keep them in great working condition.