“Cutting an Edge” is a term I use daily in maintenance and installation to describe how we give definition to garden beds. It is the task with the biggest return on making a garden look well tended. Architecturally, cutting an edge is also what leads the eye through the garden. The clear line of the green lawn next to the bed line creates a strong contrast in color and allows the eye to easily follow the bed line.

You can rent or buy mechanical edgers from the hardware store.  With this approach I put money on the chance that you will either cut an irrigation line, cable, lighting wire, dog fence or (Heaven Forbid!)  A Fios!

We prefer to make slow deliberate cuts by hand with a flat edge shovel. That way you can sometimes feel resistance and stop, if you hit an obstacle.

How To

1. Use a straight edge shovel.
2. Cut the earth at a 45 degree angle toward the plants.
3. Throw the dirt up into the bed just few inches away.
4. Keep checking behind and in front of you to be sure the line is not crooked or silly with too many bumps and twists.  The eye likes it simple.
5. Go back to the beginning and clean out the upturned weed and bits of lawn.
6. Flatten the dirt with a hard rake or your hand so it curves nicely up the mulch side of the bed.

When mulch is put in the bed it should lay flat to the lawn in the end- not dip way down in the cut edge. The edge is to hold the mulch away form the lawn not create a ditch.

A good tip is to get a straight edge shovel with a long handle that doesn’t break your back.  You don’t have to cut down more that 2” to get the effect. Do it when the dirt is not too wet.

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.