If you don’t mow your lawn right before you edge the borders, the grass along the edges can end up being shorter than the rest of the grass, so it won’t look good.

If your mower does trim grass all the way up to the borders and it all looks uniform and neat to you, go ahead and skip this step. If your string trimmer is shooting grass clippings into a garden bed or another area you don’t want them, walk the opposite direction so it shoots them back into your yard.

Generally, you want to edge your lawn where it meets garden beds and along the perimeters. Check for buried hazards like wires, pipes, rocks, and glass shards along the path and remove or avoid them while you edge. [4] X Expert Source Keith SouzaHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 20 August 2021. You can call 811 and find out about the utility lines and avoid damaging them. [5] X Expert Source Keith SouzaHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 20 August 2021. Be careful while working in the corners where you have the sprinkler heads. [6] X Expert Source Keith SouzaHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 20 August 2021.

Before you start your trimmer, practice moving the head along the edge and keeping it level. This helps you get the motion down before you start actually cutting along the border of the lawn, so you get a nice even edge. Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, gloves, and safety glasses or goggles to protect yourself from flying debris and the spinning string on your trimmer. Don’t edge a lawn near children, pets, or bystanders. You might send debris flying their way!

You may want to switch which side of the lawn’s edge you stand on from time to time to avoid sending debris flying towards things like cars or the side of your home.

Tucking the motor of the trimmer under your arm can help you hold it steady. Avoid swinging the string trimmer with your arms. Hold your arms still and move the trimmer along as you walk.

You can go back over areas if you make uneven cuts or want to alter the edging line slightly.

In most cases, all this debris can go in your yard waste bin. However, make sure you know your local regulations before you just dump everything in there.

This is also a great time to do some other yard maintenance, such as trimming bushes and shrubs. You’ll love the polished final look!