How to recut flowerbed edges like a pro – part 2 with video
Well hello there spring!
It feels so good to be mowing that greener than green grass once again! And of course, play in the flowerbeds.
Today I even painted house trim! I do love my sunshine.
But one thing never fails…
Come spring, barely before the snow has melted, my original post How to edge flowerbeds like a pro starts to gain some traction.
And I truly know why it continues to do well.
For one, edging flowerbeds dramatically changes my own yard from ho hum to an instant show stopper. And I will use this method until the end of time.
Now know, I am so not a professional gardener by any means. I’ve even removed all my flowerbeds from my back yard in an effort to feel more accomplished in a yard I could upkeep on my own!
However, the front yard flowerbeds are indeed intact so my home remains to have some pretty curb appeal.
So once spring arrived, while I mowed my lawn a few times already, the flowerbed edges looked frayed once again, and it was time to clean them up.
Since the flowerbed edges were already cut, they just needed sharpening up which is much easier than starting fresh!
So I’d like to share how quickly this clean up method works and how pretty the results are, complete with short video sharing the entire easy process!
No flowerbeds yet? I suggest to start at Part 1.
Part 1 – How to edge flowerbeds like a pro
Part 2 – How to recut flowerbed edges like a pro (you are here)
See video below at end of this post.
How to recut flowerbed edges like a pro
Supplies you’ll need:
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(this post contains affiliate links)
hand garden tools (fork and trowel)
Weed trimmer (I love my battery-run version here)
How-to:
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This post is based on the fact that you already have flowerbeds. If you don’t, learn how to cut them at:
Part 1 – How to edge flowerbeds like a pro HERE
1. Using a half moon edger, create a fresh cut along your existing flower bed edges to sharpen them up.
Once spring transpires, your flowerbed edges will have a fuzzy look.
Most of this is due to the grass growing. However you will also note, the soil levels out, becoming level with the lawn, which reduces the sharpness of what it can be.
The key is to achieve a sharp edge and get a trench back in place.
I simply go along the flower bed edge with a half moon edger and slice off the very least I feel I need to. Just enough to create a sharp edge once again.
Slicing the edges is like cutting into a cake. It isn’t difficult, because your edge is already there. But it’s worthwhile because this will make ALL the difference in the world!
If you cut after a rainfall, your soil may be softer to work with.
2. After slicing the edges, pound soil off turf chunks.
I then pound out the soil from the sod pieces, and place into the compost upside down, so they don’t reroot. Or throw into your applicable green container for recycling.
3. Trim grass by clipping the grass edges horizontally and vertically.
Now with edges cut, it’s time to give the grass its final trim, much like a haircut.
The grass edge is trimmed horizontally so it’s level with the lawn, and vertically so it looks completely clean looking directly down onto the edge while standing up.
You can use garden edgers like I have in these pictures, or a weed trimmer if careful.
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How to trim with a weed trimmer:
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Turn the weed trimmer head upside down, and run the line against the edge. Stand in one place, and test it out by moving very slowly, ensuring you aren’t too far away nor too close so it chews into the sod. The key is to achieve that razor sharp cut with a line going a million miles an hour.
It’s possible! I upkeep my edges for the rest of the year like this. But it does take some practice so you don’t chew up the edges.
I also use THIS light duty battery operated weed trimmer. The head rotates so I can hold it upright while the head cuts upside down. It works fabulous.
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4. Gather up most grass clippings by hand, then use a garden fork to spread the rest out to compost.
5. Dig your shovel into the cut, then lift up the soil towards the back, creating a fresh trench.
6. Smooth out the new soil mound with your hand or garden fork, and you’re done!
The 2 minute video below this post will show you the entire quick process!
In spring, the fuzzy edges before the refresh.
And after: How to freshen up flowerbed edges like a pro!
Stunning difference isn’t it?
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How to mow recut flowerbed edges:
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Something I still get asked is how one mows around the beds.
I simply mow as close as the mower can get to the flowerbed edges, then trim things up with a weed trimmer after the fact.
Weeding and general upkeep
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1. After weeding, fluff up soil with a garden trowel.
2. Rework the trench so your flowerbeds maintain that soft uphill mound of soil.
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VIDEO ABOVE
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Click above to see a short 2 minute video of the entire process!
How’s your garden looking these days? Think you’ll try these tips?
Pin the image below to save it for later!
Other gardening tips you may enjoy:
Read both Flowerbed Edging posts from HERE
Create a rustic shed with reclaimed wood!
Make a Potting Shed garden tool hanger
DIY an easy potting bench with sawhorses
Read all my Garden Posts HERE
Do you mulch your flower beds?
Hi Pam! I top up the soil with a mixture that includes organic fertilizer every 2-3 years. However I don’t add bark mulch to my beds if that is what you are asking. I personally would use landscape fabric and bark mulch for beds that I know I won’t plant anything more in.
Donna,you did a great job,very professional looking. Beautiful.
Absolutely Gorgeous!!!!
My grandma always did deep edging like this in her yard and it made her summer trimming (which she did with hand sheers) so much easier.
Looks beautiful…
the flowerbeds look so beautiful and nice job with the edging
Your flower beds look beautiful. Did you mulch over your soil at some point?
Oops…I see that you have already answered my question when Pam asked it.
Haha, all good!
Thank-you Janet! The only thing I do with the soil is top it up every 2-3 years with a soil/organic fertilizer mix. It keeps it fertile, and light to work with.
Well it really looks great! Thanks for the inspiration Donna!
Today I started edging my flowerbeds like this. It is a workout when it is brand new but i love how they look!
Oh I agree. It is VERY much a workout for brand new beds, but after it’s done, the upkeep is totally do-able!
Since the edge of the grass sharp, how do address mowing the grass on the edge? The mower wheels would be too short to match the soil. Have always loved the look, but don’t quite get it. Thanks for the clarification.
Hi Kirstin!
When I mow, I get as close to the edge as comfortable without going over the edge with the lawnmower wheels. A weed trimmer positioned ‘flat’ takes care of the rest along the cut.
Then I position a weed trimmer upside down, and cut ‘up and down’ along the entire edge. This can also be done with hand clippers.
It’s a lot easier to do than explain. Haha!