A Properly Edged Lawn Can Save Lawn Care Time
by: ARA Content
ARA) - Thanks to inexpensive string trimmers or "weed whips," trimming the edge of a lawn is no longer backbreaking work. But it is work that homeowners can mostly avoid by choosing "maintenance free" edging materials where a lawn borders trees, flower beds, fences and foundations. Choosing the proper edging materials can eliminate hours from the typical homeowner's yard maintenance over the spring and summer months.
"Although string trimmers are easier to use than grass shears, letting the lawnmower cut that grass is even easier," says Jeremy Powers, a writer for national home and how-to publications. "Meticulous gardeners may spend nearly as much time with a string trimmer as they do with the mower."
The easiest way to keep the lawn looking good without extra work is a distinct edge that can be mowed over without ruining the edging or mower blade. Plastic edging meets these criteria, but requires digging and trenching to install. Powers says, "Many plastic lawn edging products eventually work themselves out of the ground. Not only does this look terrible until repaired, but mowing over the dislodged edging becomes virtually impossible".
A variety of wood products also offer "mower friendly" options for edging if installed properly. However, even cedar and redwood lumber will rot over time with ground contact unless it is treated with a preservative. "Green-treated lumber can look too industrial for some people," Powers said.
Because brick and stone can ruin a mower blade, make sure it is smooth on top and wide enough for the mower wheel to ride on. Powers comments, "If your edging material won't allow you to run the mower over it, choose a product with a shape that minimizes trimming. Any edging with little nooks and crannies, such as odd shaped stones, will make the trimming job much more time consuming."
Tree bases are one of the most common yard areas trimmed with "weed whips." Both string trimmers and mowers are responsible for the majority of tree deaths after planting due to damage to the bark. Unfortunately, product options for edging around individual trees, particularly younger trees when their bark is most fragile, is limited.
A new product, called Arbor Edge, is a one piece edging system for trees, shrubs, and flagpoles, that combines a circular plastic edge with a weed-proof basin that holds mulch or decorative rock. Arbor Edge is designed to enable a mower wheel to ride over the plastic edge, eliminating the need for additional trimming. The Arbor Edge is attractive, inexpensive and easy to install without a need for trenching or staking.
Edging products are made by numerous manufacturers,and are readily available at home and garden centers. For information on the new Arbor Edge, call ADO Products at 800-666-8191 or visit their Web site at www.adoproducts.com
Lawn Care TipsTen Steps To A Healthy LawnChoosing the right seed for your new lawnThe dawn of a new lawnThe "Environmentally Friendly" LawnMatching the right mower with your lawn Lawn care: prepare yourself and your trimmerHow To Take Care Of WeedsA Properly Edged Lawn Can Save Lawn Care TimeThe Dawn Of A New Lawn
Other links:
Lawn Care Tip - The best prevention for a weedy lawn
Your Easy To Follow Lawn Creation ManualLawn Care - The Easy WayCreate the Care-Free Lawn you've always dreamed ofLawn Care Tip - The best prevention for a weedy lawn Lawn Care Advice - The best time to establish a lawn from seedHow I created my own beautiful lawnAt last! - A tailored guide to grass careLawn Care - Discover All The Secrets!Create An Incredible Looking Lawn!Lawn Care Advice Tips!
