Categories: LandscapingPower Tools

Proper Edging of Flower Beds

The easiest way to edge a flower bed is by using a simple half moon edger. This tool is used to cut the sod along any shaped flower bed. You simply work your way along any line you want and use the tool to cut the sod. By cutting the sod along a nice clean line you are cutting the roots.

As you can see in the photo, you want that cut edge of the sod to remain exposed. This prevents the grass from working its way into the flower bed. When you put your mulch in the flower bed make sure you taper the thickness down as you approach the sod edge. If you keep the roots exposed of the sod then they won’t invade the flower bed.

The half moon edger is very easy to use. When you’re creating a flower bed you can use a rope or garden hose to lay out a nice curved design. Then all you have to do is follow that curved design around and cut the sod with the edger. This is a really easy home improvement project that will spice up your flower beds. To maintain that nice edge just use your string trimmer, turn it 90 degrees and cut the edge nice and clean. You’ll have a great edge all summer long.

Todd Fratzel

I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.

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View Comments

fred@opc says:
May 3, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Todd, thanks for this article. I didn't know about keeping the roots exposed to avoid grass creeping into the flower bed. We'll take your advice this year when we're grooming our gardens (yep, we're behind :-)
Stihl Edger says:
August 13, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Thanks for posting the proper way to edge a flower bed....too many gardens, flower beds, lawns with too much potential that with articles like this one there should be no excuse.
Wendy says:
May 18, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Todd, Thanks for the info on how to edge a flower bed, I'm new to this do you cut straight down, or slanted, and do you remove some of the soil. Thanks.Wendy
- Todd says:
  May 18, 2009 at 9:03 pm
  @ Wendy - Cut straight down and completely remove the sod. You want to be sure that the edge of the sod remains in contact with the air so that the grass roots don't grow into the garden. Be sure your mulch doesn't fill up the entire space.
paul says:
June 6, 2011 at 11:33 pm
I just edged some beds in the yard and in retrospect I am wondering,
why not slope the edge a little bit? It seems that this would help come mowing time..(as in not gouging the edge.. what do you think?
Thanks for any input.
P.S. I think it would cosmetically look a tad better.
Paul
- Todd says:
  June 9, 2011 at 10:39 am
  I think it will likely work, but the vertical edges are easier to clean up with a string trimmer turned 90 degrees.