How Often Should You Re-Edge Your Flower Beds or Lawn Borders?

For a truly polished yard, edge your walkways and lawn borders every time you mow, and re-cut garden bed trench edges 2–3 times per year. This combo keeps your landscape looking crisp with minimal effort and avoids the common overgrown, faded-edge look.

---

How Often Should You Re-Edge Your Flower Beds or Lawn Borders?

Nothing elevates a yard faster than crisp, defined edges. Whether it’s the line between your mulch and lawn or the border along your driveway, edging is the subtle landscaping trick that makes everything look intentional and well-kept.

So how often do you need to re-edge to keep your yard looking sharp?

Here’s our recommendation:

• Edge along hard surfaces (sidewalks, driveways, lawn borders) every time you mow

• Re-cut garden bed trench edges 2–3 times a year (typically spring, mid-summer, and early fall)

This approach gives you consistent curb appeal without a huge time investment.

---

Why Edging Frequency Matters

Over time, even the best-cut edges will:

• Soften and blur from grass overgrowth

• Crumble from rain or irrigation

• Disappear under leaves or mulch

Without regular edging, your yard starts to look unkempt — even if it’s mowed and mulched. Clean lines frame your lawn and garden, making everything else pop.

---

Walkways, Driveways & Lawn Borders: Edge Every Mow

Edging along hard surfaces is quick and makes a big difference. Each time you mow, spend an extra 5–10 minutes using a:

• Stick edger (blade-style) for precise, clean vertical cuts

• String trimmer flipped vertically for fast cleanup (less precise, but effective)

This keeps grass from creeping over concrete and maintains that clean, manicured line week after week. It’s especially important for driveways, sidewalks, and patios — where overgrowth shows first.

---

Garden Bed Trench Edging: 2–3 Times Per Year

Natural trench-style edges — cut into the soil with a spade or bed edger — should be re-cut 2 to 3 times a year, ideally:

• Spring (before mulching or planting)

• Mid-summer (after early growth fills in)

• Fall (before leaf drop or final cleanup)

These deep edges (4–6 inches) separate mulch from lawn, stop grass invasion, and add depth and structure to your beds. You don’t need to redo them weekly — just refresh when the shape softens or mulch starts spilling.

---

Tips for Better, Longer-Lasting Edges

• Cut trench edges deep and on an angle back toward the bed for mulch retention

• Avoid over-mulching the edge — 2–3″ of mulch is plenty

• Use metal or stone edging for long-term structure in problem areas

• Combine edging with regular weeding and trimming for best results

---

Signs It’s Time to Re-Edge

Keep an eye out for:

• Grass creeping into mulch beds

• Blurred or wavy lawn-to-sidewalk transitions

• Mulch escaping into the lawn

• Edges that look “melted” after storms or irrigation

If your lines have lost definition or you’re doing more trimming than mowing, it’s time to cut fresh edges.

---

Should You DIY or Hire It Out?

You can definitely edge your own yard if you:

• Have a stick edger or spade

• Don’t mind spending 15–30 minutes per mow

• Like detail work and consistency

But for bigger resets (like the spring trench edge cut before mulching), hiring a pro saves time and ensures:

• Perfectly straight or smoothly curved edges

• Cleanup and disposal included

• Seamless transition between bed prep, edging, and mulch install

If you’re already booking seasonal maintenance, edging is a smart add-on.

---

Cleveland-Area Insight

In Northeast Ohio, where we get:

• Thick spring growth

• Heavy summer storms

• Leaf buildup in fall

…edges fade fast. That’s why we recommend:

• Edging driveways and walks with every mow

• Trench-edging garden beds at least 2–3 times a season for curb appeal that holds up to weather and wear

---

FAQ: Edging Timing & Maintenance

Do I need to edge before mulching?
Yes — trench edges should be re-cut before mulching to keep mulch in place and prevent it from spilling into the lawn.

How do I keep my edges from disappearing so fast?
Edge consistently along hard surfaces and re-cut your trench edge a few times a season. Pair with proper mowing and weeding.

What tools work best for edging?

• Stick edger (for driveways/walks)

• Flat spade or bed edger (for garden trench edges)

• String trimmer (for quick vertical edging along concrete)

Can I edge after mowing instead of before?
Yes — just make sure the edge is visible and clean after mowing. Some prefer edging first for cleaner lines, but either order works.

Do permanent edging materials eliminate the need to edge?
They help, but not entirely. You’ll still need to trim along the edge and clean up any overgrowth or mulch spillage.

---

Conclusion

Edging is one of the simplest ways to keep your yard looking professionally maintained — but only if you stay consistent.
Edge your walkways and lawn borders every time you mow, and re-cut garden bed trench edges 2–3 times per year for best results.

It’s a small investment of time that pays off with clean lines, easier maintenance, and a yard that always looks a cut above.