When it comes to mulching there are so many things that need to be done before “just mulching.” Edging your landscaping helps keep the mulch where it’s supposed to be, increase curb appeal, and make mowing so much easier.

How to Create the Perfect Landscape Edge

Here are a few tips I use to create a PERFECT landscape edge easily and without paying a landscape crew.

#1  Outline Your Edge

When edging your landscaping you want it to be crisp and smooth. Outlining your landscaping with a hose or rope can help you achieve perfect curves by allowing you to move and edit your edge. Then once you have it outlined perfectly can begin edging with your shovel against your guide.

#2 Keep the Shovel Head Perpendicular

When keeping the shovelhead perpendicular it creates a more crisp edge that helps keeps the mulch in the landscaping and looks really clean. sounds like a given, but it’s not.

#3 Use Your Weed Trimmer

After you have dug your edge, use your weed trimmer to clean up the grass on the edge before you mulch. It too makes the your finished project look much sleeker. It sounds stupid, I know. Trust me.

#4 Make It Deeper

When digging your edge, make sure to account for the fresh mulch. After you lay your 1″ OR 1.5″ layer of mulch will still be a decent edge. Nothing is more frustrating than finishing your project and it made zero difference. So be generous to your landscaping and dig it a deep edge.

#5 Use the Edge of the Shovel to Clean It Up

(Disclaimer: This may be unnecessary and just my perfectionism) If you really want to one-up your neighbors’ landscaping then clean your edges. The original shovel pass can leave lines taking away from the finished product. Before you mulch finish your landscaping job with mulch, take the side of your shovel and run it back and forth to make it smooth and flat.

Use these tips every time you edge your landscape before you mulch each spring and your yard will look great all summer!