How To Properly Edge Your Mulch Beds!

A clean and smooth line provides a finished look and a sense of clarity to an area. Such meticulous attention to detail doesn’t require a lot of work. We use four simple steps to create and freshen up the edges in the spring, giving your mulch beds nice, crisp lines.

Step One:

The first step is to cut the edge. If you are creating a new mulch bed, you’ll need to use a garden hose to mark your desired lines. If you are freshening up an existing mulch bed, you can jump right in.

The traditional way to do this is to use either a spade or a half-moon edger to move along the line you’ve set out. Each tool does a decent job of cutting curves, but there are some better tools that you can use. We suggest the Black & Decker Edge Hog. Simply walk behind the tool as it rolls easily along, cutting a continuous 1½-inch-deep line into the soil. The wheels give the tool the mobility to make nice curves, and you can clearly see as you cut, making it easy to evaluate and revise the line of your mulch bed.

Step Two:

Once you’ve established your edge, refine it with a spade, deepening the cut to 4 to 6 inches. If you are cutting a new mulch bed, you also need to cut the turf on the inside of the mulch bed with the spade. The loosened turf can then be removed easily by hand. The goal is to create an edge at a 90-degree angle.

Step Three:

You want your edges to be razor-sharp, so place hand shears vertically along the trench wall and cut any remaining grass blades from the edge. Care should be taken not to hold the shears horizontally to avoid destroying the right angle of the edge. Repeat this step two or three times during the growing season to keep the edges looking groomed.

Step Four:

The final step is to put down 2 to 3 inches of Mr. Mulch mulch on the bed. The mulch not only suppresses weeds but also adds a rich, dark color to the edge. Mulch right up to the edge of the turf to create a gentle slope from the bottom of the edge to the top of the mulch bed.

 

And then you are done folks, step back and enjoy your hard work!

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