I know it looks bad, that’s why I need help on learning how to edge trim. I don’t know why, but our edges compared to the neighbors , the neighbors is better. I want to know how to get it like theirs or what is causing it not to look like theirs. I attached a video , our grass is on the left, the neighbors on the right. you can clearly see the difference. What could I be doing wrong?
location: west palm beach, Florida
EDIT: So based on the comments, it’s either just get an edger or practice edging with the string trimmer better. Ill go with practicing because I already have the string trimmer anyways, so might as master using it. Thank you all so much for the help!
by Calebaleb7
37 Comments
This looks great so I have no idea what you’re talking about. That being said, for this type of grass it’s best to use a manual (step) edging tool/blade.
Use an edger
It doesn’t look that bad. If you want that kind of look you can use a trimmer instead of buying an edger.
Looks like he edged today and you edged a week ago. 🤷
What are you using to edge?
Rotary scissors my dude (or dudette). They will give you the sharpest edge you can fathom.
Just ask what they do. If your doing with a string trimmer I found doing an undercut first horizontally then the vertical.
Looks fine
Are you using a string trimmer? When edging, are you standing on the sidewalk or on the grass? Are you walking forward or backwards?
Practice you’re 95% there
Blade edger not string trimmer
Get one of these. Doesn’t have to be stihl
https://www.stihlusa.com/en/c/edgers-1028041
Just take your time doing it!
Use the string trimmer and stand in the grass when you edge. Most people who don’t do it for a living find it easier to “pull” the edge close to you as opposed to “pushing” it out. Hope that makes sense
Practice.
Practice
Edger
https://preview.redd.it/9cljnvvd6fzg1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=20a4e17abb55863a68d7d5d79e1c9f5133813772
Darn good edges here bro, in both half of your video. Do you use an edger or string trimmer? If not using an edger tool, that’s the one change you can make but it is good as is
It’s cool seeing someone else in west palm!
It sort of looks like his was hit deeper with an edger blade and yours was hit shallower, maybe just with string. It gives your neighbor a cleaner gap between the grass and sidewalk. Try sinking the edger blade down a bit deeper and widen the gap a touch – I think that will give you the look you’re going for
Start as the neighbors edge and work toward your property. You could use a string trimmer but it’ll need to be tough string for your grass type. An edger or manual edger would work better. Manual edge is easy enough and cheaper than a powered edger. That being said a power edger would clean yours up quick and then maintaining it will be easier with the power edger also. But if youre down for a little workout and the extra yard work time the manual edger is a great tool and you can find a good one for 40 bucks or less
I use a gas powered metal blade edger/trencher for thos crisp lines with distinct concrete separation. It’s probably waaay to much machine for what it does these days but my dad bought it in the 80s when we had lots of curb and sidewalk. It still runs like a champ and it takes up much more space than the string trimmer, but the nice neat edges are totally worth it.
It’s a McLane edger.
Looks better than my lawn and I have an edger
Yo I can’t clearly see anything in this 4 second video
I use a professional grade stick edger on st Augustine grass and recommend edging twice a month in florida, even during summer and as needed in the winter. if you’re worried about edging too deeply into the soil just barely engage the soil with the blade as you edge.
Stand on the inside of the curb and flip your string trimmer upside down and go after it. You will learn and you will fuck it up but once you get it down, it’s cleaner than an edger
Use an edger and maintain with string trimmer
The difference between using a blade edger for sharp edges or a string trimmer for lumpy and blunted edges.
You don’t need an edger for this. The difference between you and your neighbor is they have a small gap between the side walk and grass where yours goes straight to the sidewalk
Turn your string trimmer upside down and trim it standing on the grass walking backwards. The reason you walk on the grass is your angle of trimming will be less than 90 degrees to the edge you are trying to create cutting the grass away from the sidewalk like this / as opposed to overhanging the sidewalk like this
While trimming let the line dig into the dirt a little bit to create that gap your neighbor has. It will take a couple times to fully create the gap and edge don’t do it all at once just continue to do it each time you edge. Dirt will be flying everywhere in the beginning but once you have the edge you’ll just be hitting grass. Straight lines take practice slow and steady and find what’s comfortable for you.
Get an edger. Then work it forward and then in reverse. Let it ride the edge of the pavement and then walk it backward along the same line to cut a more defined edge. Super easy.
https://preview.redd.it/zl67k01thfzg1.jpeg?width=2572&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e4bab97c16ed6b0c583ce91ed1071cd780fdb39
I love my lawn scissor attachment for edges.
When I lived in Texas with Bermuda that got pretty thick around the edges, I absolutely HAD to use an edger the first couple mows of the season. Electric string trimmer just would not cut through the grass and dirt and it wouldn’t be even, generally looked like shit. Once I edged it a couple times, I could usually string trim it most of the rest of the year unless it was really damp or I let it go too long between mows. I just had a cheap Black and Decker corded one, then a matter of finding the right depth setting (and I think there were only like 3 so it’s not rocket science).
They look ok to me. But if you want pristine edges get an edger.
https://preview.redd.it/zxj4m0qkkfzg1.jpeg?width=3295&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2e590460b244b107f774874749ceb0bf4859f3dd
Edger as others have said, but edge from the inside of the lawn.
Use an edger to start. If you stay on top of it, you can switch to the string trimmer. I found an edger is great for first edge of the season or when I haven’t trimmed in a while.
McLane Edger
Looking at edges with a microscope always leaves something to be desired. Gotta take a step back.
Also ironic I try to be perfect with mine, but if I tap my neighbors edges bc they never freaking do it, I move way faster and more whatever about it, and feel like I do a better job lol. Pisses me off!
Ok. I have high end echo string trimmers and I’ve had bulky gas powered edgers. In 2003 I bought a Black and Decker electric edger. Still use it. I can’t speak to the cordless but the electric does what I need every time. Blades are always in stock and I replace every year. The only thing I do is open the side door because my lawn in 3-inches or better. Sharp edge. Low cost.
https://preview.redd.it/yqqejtcmqfzg1.jpeg?width=1320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d308ab0ba0efa8477ccdbfb276694efbeab4f78