A clean lawn edge is the crowning piece of a beautiful lawn, however when done improperly, weeds take advantage and grow. “Using a string trimmer to bevel the edges destroys the pre-emergent protective layer and heats up the soil. Summer weeds like Spurge and Crabgrass thrive in those areas,” says Blake Moore, owner of Moore Green. He prefers a straight blade power edger.
edging
Proper Lawn Edging
Nothing finishes off a beautifully mowed lawn like a nice crisp edge. The lawn always looks nice directly after it’s edged, however depending on how it’s done, an improperly edged lawn invites heat-loving, fast-growing weeds.
Edges can be made square or beveled, depending on your liking. Moore Green recommends a square edge achieved by using a straight-blade edger. This method is less likely to allow summer weeds to become established along the edges.
A beveled edge is achieved by using a string trimmer. The problem with the beveled edge is that it is difficult for the operator to make a consistent height and often we see the turf whipped down into the soil. A short stand of grass is a perfect place for invasive weeds to get established, whereas a thick stand of turf out competes the weeds.
If weedy edges are a problem, look at the way the lawn is edged. You may need to change your edging method. Let’s face it, the grass along the edges experience higher temperatures, more traffic, and possibly less water. All of these welcome summer weeds. #MooreGreen