Achieving a perfectly manicured lawn is a source of pride for many homeowners. It’s not just about cutting the grass; it’s about the details – the crisp, clean edges that define your lawn’s borders. The question then arises: should you use an edger before or after mowing? The answer, surprisingly, isn’t as straightforward as it seems. It depends on several factors, including your personal preference, the type of edger you use, and the specific conditions of your lawn. Let’s delve deep into the world of lawn edging and mowing to uncover the best approach for achieving that coveted professional finish.
Understanding the Basics: Edging and Mowing Defined
Before we dive into the order of operations, let’s ensure we’re all on the same page regarding what edging and mowing entail. These are distinct yet complementary lawn care practices.
Mowing, of course, is the process of cutting the grass to a uniform height. This is typically done with a lawnmower, which comes in various types, including rotary, reel, and robotic models. Mowing is essential for maintaining a healthy and aesthetically pleasing lawn.
Edging, on the other hand, is the process of creating a clean, defined border between your lawn and other surfaces, such as sidewalks, driveways, patios, and flowerbeds. An edger is a specialized tool designed for this purpose, creating a vertical cut along the edge of the lawn. This cut not only looks visually appealing but also helps to prevent grass from encroaching onto adjacent surfaces.
The Case for Edging Before Mowing
Many lawn care enthusiasts advocate for edging before mowing. There are several compelling reasons to support this approach.
Easier Cleanup After Mowing
One of the primary arguments for edging before mowing is that it makes cleanup easier. When you edge first, the grass clippings and debris that are dislodged during the edging process can be easily picked up by the lawnmower. This eliminates the need for a separate cleanup step after edging. The mower acts as a sweeper, collecting the debris and leaving a cleaner finish. This can save you time and effort, especially if you have a large lawn.
Enhanced Mowing Precision
Edging before mowing can also enhance the precision of your mowing. By defining the edges of your lawn first, you create a clear guideline for your lawnmower. This helps you to avoid accidentally running the mower over the edges of sidewalks or driveways, which can damage both the lawnmower and the adjacent surfaces. A well-defined edge allows you to mow closer to the borders, resulting in a more uniform and professional-looking cut.
Preventing Grass from Growing Over Edges
Edging before mowing can also help to prevent grass from growing over the edges of sidewalks and driveways. When you edge regularly, you create a barrier that discourages grass from spreading onto these surfaces. This can reduce the amount of manual trimming required to maintain a clean edge. By edging before mowing, you ensure that any grass that has already encroached onto the adjacent surfaces is cut back before the mowing process, further reinforcing the barrier.
Optimal for Electric Edgers
Electric edgers, often lighter and easier to maneuver, benefit from this approach. Cutting before mowing allows for a smoother, unobstructed path. The mower then cleans up any stray clippings.
The Case for Edging After Mowing
While edging before mowing has its advantages, there’s also a strong case to be made for edging after mowing. This approach also offers several benefits.
Better Visibility and Precision
One of the main reasons to edge after mowing is that it allows for better visibility and precision. After mowing, the grass is shorter, making it easier to see the edges of your lawn and to guide the edger accurately. This is particularly important if you have uneven terrain or if the edges of your lawn are not clearly defined. With better visibility, you can create a cleaner, more precise edge.
Ideal for Defining Overgrown Edges
Edging after mowing is particularly effective for defining overgrown edges. If your lawn hasn’t been edged in a while, the grass may have grown significantly over the edges of sidewalks and driveways. In this case, mowing first can help to reduce the height of the grass, making it easier to edge precisely. Trying to edge overgrown edges before mowing can be challenging, as the tall grass can obstruct your view and make it difficult to achieve a clean cut.
Reduced Risk of Damaging Edger Blades
Edging after mowing can also reduce the risk of damaging the edger blades. When you mow first, you remove any large debris, such as sticks and stones, that may be present on the edges of your lawn. These objects can damage the edger blades if they are encountered during the edging process. By mowing first, you clear the path for the edger, reducing the risk of damage and extending the life of your edger blades.
Best for Gas-Powered Edgers and String Trimmers
Heavier gas-powered edgers and string trimmers often perform better after mowing. The shorter grass provides less resistance, allowing for a cleaner, more powerful cut. It allows for more controlled edging, especially in areas where the grass is thick or compacted.
Factors to Consider When Deciding
The best time to edge—before or after mowing—often depends on individual circumstances.
Type of Edger Used
As mentioned earlier, the type of edger you use can influence your decision. Lighter, electric edgers may be better suited for edging before mowing, while heavier, gas-powered edgers and string trimmers may perform better after mowing.
Condition of the Lawn
The condition of your lawn is another important factor to consider. If your lawn is overgrown or has a lot of debris, edging after mowing may be the better option. If your lawn is well-maintained and relatively clean, edging before mowing may be more efficient.
Personal Preference
Ultimately, the decision of when to edge is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer the cleaner finish that results from edging before mowing, while others prefer the increased visibility and precision that comes with edging after mowing.
Step-by-Step Guide: Edging Before Mowing
Here is a general guide to edging before mowing:
- Prepare the Area: Remove any large debris, such as sticks and stones, from the edges of your lawn.
- Edge the Lawn: Use your edger to create a clean, defined border around your lawn.
- Mow the Lawn: Mow your lawn as usual, taking care to follow the edges that you have created.
- Clean Up: If necessary, use a blower or rake to remove any remaining grass clippings or debris.
Step-by-Step Guide: Edging After Mowing
Here is a general guide to edging after mowing:
- Mow the Lawn: Mow your lawn as usual.
- Edge the Lawn: Use your edger to create a clean, defined border around your lawn.
- Clean Up: Use a blower or rake to remove any grass clippings or debris.
Beyond the Debate: Tips for Effective Edging
Regardless of whether you choose to edge before or after mowing, there are several tips that can help you achieve the best results.
Maintain Your Edger Regularly
A sharp edger blade is essential for achieving a clean, precise cut. Be sure to sharpen your edger blade regularly, or replace it when it becomes dull. A dull blade will tear the grass rather than cutting it cleanly, resulting in a ragged, uneven edge.
Follow a Straight Line
To create a professional-looking edge, it’s important to follow a straight line. If you have trouble maintaining a straight line, you can use a guide, such as a piece of string or a board.
Avoid Edging Too Deep
Edging too deep can damage the roots of your grass and create an unsightly trench. Aim to edge just deep enough to create a clean, defined border.
Edging Frequency
Regular edging is crucial for maintaining a crisp, clean lawn. The frequency depends on grass growth and desired aesthetics.
The Importance of Lawn Health
While edging and mowing are essential for achieving a beautiful lawn, it’s important to remember that lawn health is the foundation of a great lawn. A healthy lawn is more resistant to weeds, pests, and diseases, and it will be better able to withstand the stress of mowing and edging.
Ensure the lawn receives adequate water, fertilizer, and aeration. Soil testing can reveal nutrient deficiencies. Over- or under-watering can stress the grass, weakening it.
Conclusion: Finding What Works Best For You
Ultimately, whether you edge before or after mowing is a matter of personal preference and what works best for your specific lawn and equipment. There’s no single “right” answer. Experiment with both approaches and see which one yields the best results for you. By considering the factors outlined above and following the tips for effective edging, you can achieve a perfectly manicured lawn that you can be proud of. The key is to be consistent, maintain your equipment, and prioritize the overall health of your lawn. A little experimentation can lead to mastering your own technique.
Should I edge my lawn before or after mowing for the best results?
The ideal time to edge your lawn depends largely on the desired aesthetic and personal preference. Edging before mowing allows the mower to pick up the debris created by the edger, resulting in a cleaner, more polished look. This method also helps to prevent the build-up of excessive clippings along the edges, which can contribute to thatch and potential disease problems.
However, edging after mowing can be beneficial if you need to identify exactly where the grass line needs to be defined, especially if the lawn is overgrown. It also prevents the edger from potentially flattening the grass before it’s mowed, which might lead to an uneven cut. Ultimately, there is no definitive “right” or “wrong” answer, and experimenting with both methods is the best way to determine which works best for your lawn and your desired outcome.
Does the type of edger I use impact whether I should edge before or after mowing?
The type of edger certainly plays a role in determining the optimal timing. If you’re using a gas-powered or electric edger with a vertical blade, edging before mowing can be particularly advantageous, as the mower can easily pick up the soil and grass clippings dispersed by the blade. This leaves a cleaner, more defined edge.
Conversely, if you’re using an edging tool that primarily cuts horizontally, like a string trimmer used as an edger, edging after mowing might be preferred. This approach can help to ensure that you’re trimming the grass to the desired height and creating a clean line without the risk of over-cutting. The type of edger should complement your mowing technique for the best result.
What are the advantages of edging before mowing?
Edging before mowing primarily focuses on creating a smooth, debris-free finish. When you edge first, the mower effectively vacuums up the loose clippings and soil scattered by the edger, leaving a cleaner cut and more refined appearance. This process also prevents the accumulation of edging debris along sidewalks and driveways, simplifying cleanup.
Furthermore, edging before mowing is particularly useful for maintaining a consistent lawn height, as it removes any overgrowth before the mower passes over the area. This ensures that the lawn is uniformly cut, contributing to a neater and more professional look. This method effectively streamlines the lawn care process.
What are the benefits of edging after mowing?
Edging after mowing offers the advantage of clearly defining the lawn’s boundaries based on the freshly cut grass height. This can be particularly helpful when dealing with overgrown areas or lawns with irregular shapes, enabling you to create a more precise and visually appealing edge. It allows for adjustments based on the mowed height, preventing over-edging.
Additionally, edging after mowing minimizes the risk of the edger flattening the grass before it’s cut by the mower. This can lead to a more even cut and prevent scalping, ensuring a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing lawn. You also directly see the final appearance, allowing for immediate adjustments and corrections.
How does edging and mowing frequency affect the timing decision?
The frequency of your lawn care routine significantly influences whether edging before or after mowing is more suitable. If you mow and edge frequently, such as weekly, edging before mowing might be the preferred method as the amount of debris created by the edger will be minimal and easily managed by the mower. This helps maintain a consistent and clean appearance with each maintenance session.
However, if you mow and edge less frequently, such as every two weeks or longer, edging after mowing might be more beneficial. This allows you to accurately assess and trim the overgrown edges, ensuring a clean and defined line despite the longer interval between maintenance tasks. The longer growth period can make it harder to see exactly where to edge accurately prior to mowing.
Does the type of grass I have influence the edging/mowing order?
Yes, the type of grass you have can influence whether you should edge before or after mowing. For denser grass types like Bermuda or Zoysia, which tend to spread aggressively, edging after mowing may be preferred. This allows you to clearly see the edges that need trimming, preventing the grass from encroaching onto sidewalks and driveways.
For less dense grasses like Fescue or Ryegrass, edging before mowing might be more beneficial. These grasses tend to have a more upright growth habit and don’t spread as aggressively, so the mower can easily pick up the clippings created by the edger without causing significant disruption to the lawn’s overall appearance. The growth habits of different grasses can greatly influence this decision.
Are there any safety considerations to keep in mind when edging and mowing?
Regardless of whether you edge before or after mowing, prioritizing safety is paramount. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, hearing protection, and closed-toe shoes to protect yourself from flying debris and loud noises. Ensure that the area is clear of any obstacles, such as rocks, toys, or pets, before beginning any lawn care task.
When using power equipment, carefully read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions before operating the edger or mower. Keep a safe distance from bystanders and never allow children to operate or play near the equipment. Regular maintenance of your lawn care equipment is essential for ensuring safe and efficient operation.