As a landscape architect and contractor, I’ve been using the method you describe for 40 years. Great tutorial video! I’m gonna buy that Fiskars spade. 😉
I edged my beds using the king of Spades but I found the game changer was purchasing the Ryobi 18 volt battery powered edger. You can easily cut a line in the grass in a matter of seconds. You still need a spade to dig out the dirt and at times dig a little deeper but you do save time with that initial cut. The Ryobi is also nimble enough to easily turn corners. It's worth a look at only a $120.00 at Home Depot.
Smart thinking. I'm gonna get 1. I've got the Ryobi 18" rear 40V Garden Tiller and it works great. My Ryobi 21" lawn mower is great too. I mow a half acre on 1 battery every week.
For areas I want a sharp edge, I do basically the same thing. If I'm extending a bed or don't care about how straight it is, I first lay down a layer of water softener salt then mulch right over top of it. This will kill any weeds or grass that is currently in the area you are expanding into or prevent them from working their way any further into the edge for about a year. Just make sure you are ok with potentially killing anything slightly downhill or in any nearby low spot. If you are expanding, the following year you can come in and edges just like you normally would, cutting in your new line. plants will grow just fine in any salted areas in about a year or two unless you've already been doing if for a while. I also use salt to maintain a tight edge on hard scapes. It allows the grass to grow right up to the edge but not invade stone beds or pavers. 40% vinegar is also good to do touch ups and starve out any pesky grass roots. Just spritz any thistle, grass, mint, ground cherries, etc as soon as the pop through the soil and the root will eventually run out of energy. Make sure to hold a piece of curved cardboard downwind to prevent white spots on any nearby plants.
Try a bed redefiner if you have a large area to do. I rented one from a local rental shop. It was amazing. Made quick work of a tedious job. Great results too!
Great walk through, this is much cleaner and cheaper alternative for beds that I personally prefer. I’ve also had good luck using a reciprocating saw. 👍
New house! Congrats and that probably explains why I haven't seen you online for awhile. Whoever bought your old house undoubtedly got a great deal as I know you do an excellent job maintaining and improving things throughout.
Thank you, yes I have definitely been behind but I am finally getting setup and you can expect many regular videos again as usual. More info on my move here: ruclips.net/video/HH2XpH7BgoQ/видео.html
For brainstorming/planning where you want to make your edges, you can lay out a long garden hose and adjust as needed until you’re happy, then just go along the hose!
Haha! Super funny for me to watch this video. I have the same Fiskars spade and I edge everything in my yard the exact same way. I love this spade and won’t edge any other way 😎. I also have my dad’s old spade. The handle rotted out and I wanted another Fiskars type spade so I replaced the old rotted handle with some galvanized chain link fence top rail tubing. Both spades will last forever and are excellent edging tools!
Moving into a new home with a decent sized lot to renovate by the end of the month. Timing is perfect! Thanks for always sharing your tips. Hope you're enjoying the new space.
I know most of this from your other videos but it's good to brush up. Thanks for all you do. I am constantly referring to your channel. Looking g forward to all the content in your new place!!
I been adding plastic edging one I get the trench dug. I feel it keeps a better thicker edge. It's less hassle later on. Great job you make it look amazing. I am always jealous of your yard. Mine needs to be detached but machines are expensive
This is EXACTLY what I needed! My front yard looks exactly like your before picture of this yard and I've been so intimidated to do this. I'm also one of the people you mentioned that make alot of mistakes sweeping back the mulch bed from the new bed line. Thank you!
Hello, this is the perfect way to start my morning by watching your outstanding video, I always admire your uniqueness, thanks for sharing this amazing video, keep up the good work my friend, you will always have my full support, good luck 💔
ok now seriously, that is a lot of work and for sure you have to do it every year. i installed plastic edging barrier around. now it is super clean and easy to keep it neat
Here in West Central Florida, we have rain all summer, and maintaining a bed that large, {I've got 2} is easy once it's been done. However, if you miss a week, it's like you've never cleaned it at all! We have so many weeds & strange plants, {not native} if they get a grip... The roots could be in China!
Thank you! 😊 I really appreciate it. NH is a really nice place to live if you like nature and a little slower pace of life. I think if you get one of those spades you will love it. Still one of the best values I have ever found.
I’m going to do this type of edge. Currently we have small rocks that have sunken into the ground over the last 10 or so years. This gives a much cleaner look. I may have missed it in the video but, how deep is the vertical cut into ground which defines the edge? Tks!
Once I determine where the edge will be I use a sawzall with an aggressive 6 inch blade to make a vertical cut. I find the sawzal slices through the top layer of grass and any roots that in the way. Then I can go back in with my shovel and remove the grass and dress the edge.
Looks good, my own house I have the slope in the flower beds towards the edge and I find myself continuously having to push my mulch back away from the edge as any rain washes it down to the edge.
Thank you. One tip is to always put a very light layer towards the edge and lightly tamp it down. It's very temping to lose that slope and fill it up but then it defeats the slope. Hope this helps
Got the shovel, your process worked great. However, my beds are higher than my grass. Common in NE Ohio, so obtaining the angle and finding a place for the dug out dirt was more challenging.
not sure if you have this issue antwhere at your new property, but if you have any surface tree roots in your lawn, do you have any tips on the best way to remove them without rented heavy grinding machinery?
The point you finished the video seems like a good place to drop an edge barrier like thin metal stripping then drop a weed barrier. I have Bermuda grass and that stuff shoots out horizontally like no other. Does this sound like a good idea? Doesn't matter how much mulch I have in my beds, it always gets chutes of Bermuda poking through my mulch.
Wow, I can't believe you moved. Whoever bought your old place will never give it the care you did. Can't wait to see the transformation of the new lawn.
Awesome video. Question - how can you keep weeds from popping up in the beds? I’m putting down landscaping rock soon and don’t want weeds to be everywhere. Is it just buying the best landscaping fabric?
Great video! How do you go about angling the slope if the beds have a metal edge and the yard is Bermuda grass? I don't think I want the grass to come right to the metal edge do I?
If you have ideas about how to structure the bed/driveway border, that’d be a great help in my yard. A new bed I made this spring is downslope from the pavement and so washes out a bit if we get heavy T-storm type rain.
@@SilverCymbal damn RUclips and missing the notification! Congrats on the on the new place! Looking forward to more of your videos on making it just a great as your last house!
I have done this and works great, but used an "edge master" for easier and quicker cuts. My only problem now is rain water doesn't flow into the yard as well, and makes a channel in that divot, causing some drainage issues. Any thoughts on a remedy?
Hi, Did you use landscape fabric or did you just add the mulch? I have an area that is a beast with weeds and I am considering removing all older mulch and starting over with landscape fabric, THEN adding the mulch.
I see a lot of videos from lawncare companies on RUclips aggressively promoting their services It's as if they realize that eventually, more and more people who never thought of doing so, but have enough rainfall and sunshine to do so , will be moving forward with converting their front and backyards into sustainable 1/2 to 1 acre "mini farms." It seems that the lawncare companies are noticing this and may be in somewhat of a panic. They probably know that in these hard times of pandemic, inflation and unrest, things move quickly and new trends for sustainability can develop practically overnight. Another trend which has a lot of potential is people, particularly in the Midwest where basements are common, experimenting with hydroponics in their basements. Happy 4th of July weekend. Don't forget that our most important natural resources is soil. Sure you need water, but you also gotta have dirt.
Seems like I have to do this every year, I have to remove loads of material and I don’t have a good compost location. Most hated job every year, but it does look nice.
You certainly can. If this was a commercial property I might do it but I have never really liked how any of them look and although it is tempting to put it in I would rather keep the edge natural. Plus I would probably catch it with my mower at some point. No wrong choice but that's my reasoning for me
I had done this for the past 15 years. Last year I bought some thick L shaped rubber edging and put it in backwards into the cut trench so that even when the mulch shifts forward you still end up with a clean look. It wasn't cheap as each 4' section is $10 but it looks great.
Thanks for watching please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE - Fiskars Spade: amzn.to/3ukT2dU - Ego Trimmer: amzn.to/3yDNwpl -Makita Trimmer: amzn.to/3OGS9Vj
That tip about leaving the dug out chunks of dirt to dehydrate is great!
As a landscape architect and contractor, I’ve been using the method you describe for 40 years. Great tutorial video! I’m gonna buy that Fiskars spade. 😉
Would love to see a continuation of your work on the bed! Getting ready to do something similar right now with my lawn
Super excited about the new content this home is gonna provide SC. Take care of yourself & family brother✊🏾
Much appreciated. There is plenty to be done here!
Love the tips on how to cut it with corner of shovel and removing from bed out!
You are the king of practicality! Congrats on the new house! Keep up the great work! Happy 4th of July!!!!
Much appreciated. You as well
I edged my beds using the king of Spades but I found the game changer was purchasing the Ryobi 18 volt battery powered edger. You can easily cut a line in the grass in a matter of seconds. You still need a spade to dig out the dirt and at times dig a little deeper but you do save time with that initial cut. The Ryobi is also nimble enough to easily turn corners. It's worth a look at only a $120.00 at Home Depot.
Smart thinking. I'm gonna get 1. I've got the Ryobi 18" rear 40V Garden Tiller and it works great. My Ryobi 21" lawn mower is great too. I mow a half acre on 1 battery every week.
I hope you do a start to finish with your lawn like you did with the other home. Very informative. Love the channel!
For areas I want a sharp edge, I do basically the same thing. If I'm extending a bed or don't care about how straight it is, I first lay down a layer of water softener salt then mulch right over top of it. This will kill any weeds or grass that is currently in the area you are expanding into or prevent them from working their way any further into the edge for about a year. Just make sure you are ok with potentially killing anything slightly downhill or in any nearby low spot.
If you are expanding, the following year you can come in and edges just like you normally would, cutting in your new line. plants will grow just fine in any salted areas in about a year or two unless you've already been doing if for a while. I also use salt to maintain a tight edge on hard scapes. It allows the grass to grow right up to the edge but not invade stone beds or pavers. 40% vinegar is also good to do touch ups and starve out any pesky grass roots. Just spritz any thistle, grass, mint, ground cherries, etc as soon as the pop through the soil and the root will eventually run out of energy. Make sure to hold a piece of curved cardboard downwind to prevent white spots on any nearby plants.
Love it. Cannot wait to see you turn that house around. It never stood a chance!
4 min video and learned something. hidden gem
Try a bed redefiner if you have a large area to do. I rented one from a local rental shop. It was amazing. Made quick work of a tedious job. Great results too!
Great walk through, this is much cleaner and cheaper alternative for beds that I personally prefer. I’ve also had good luck using a reciprocating saw. 👍
New house! Congrats and that probably explains why I haven't seen you online for awhile. Whoever bought your old house undoubtedly got a great deal as I know you do an excellent job maintaining and improving things throughout.
Thank you, yes I have definitely been behind but I am finally getting setup and you can expect many regular videos again as usual. More info on my move here: ruclips.net/video/HH2XpH7BgoQ/видео.html
Lots of hard work, but results are worth it - well done!
For brainstorming/planning where you want to make your edges, you can lay out a long garden hose and adjust as needed until you’re happy, then just go along the hose!
That's brilliant!
See, this is why I love the comment section! The real gems are hiding down here
Haha! Super funny for me to watch this video. I have the same Fiskars spade and I edge everything in my yard the exact same way. I love this spade and won’t edge any other way 😎.
I also have my dad’s old spade. The handle rotted out and I wanted another Fiskars type spade so I replaced the old rotted handle with some galvanized chain link fence top rail tubing. Both spades will last forever and are excellent edging tools!
Moving into a new home with a decent sized lot to renovate by the end of the month. Timing is perfect! Thanks for always sharing your tips. Hope you're enjoying the new space.
I know most of this from your other videos but it's good to brush up. Thanks for all you do. I am constantly referring to your channel. Looking g forward to all the content in your new place!!
Very nice, I use my metal half-moon edger and it does as you describe in a single pass.
I been adding plastic edging one I get the trench dug. I feel it keeps a better thicker edge. It's less hassle later on. Great job you make it look amazing. I am always jealous of your yard. Mine needs to be detached but machines are expensive
Thank you so much! You explain things really well and now I get to go redo my edging to make it look as nice as yours. 😁
I like my Razor Back edger, design goes back many years, easy to use old or young, cuts beautiful clean lines and it sharpens itself.
Good point there - don't throw away good soil. 👍
I keep it and then use it later in large planters. 😎
This is EXACTLY what I needed! My front yard looks exactly like your before picture of this yard and I've been so intimidated to do this. I'm also one of the people you mentioned that make alot of mistakes sweeping back the mulch bed from the new bed line. Thank you!
Thanks for this simple idea. Can't wait for the fall lawn transformation.
Hello, this is the perfect way to start my morning by watching your outstanding video, I always admire your uniqueness, thanks for sharing this amazing video, keep up the good work my friend, you will always have my full support, good luck 💔
Great tips, a little labor makes your beds look much nicer
I did this. My yard looks amazing with the edges I love your channel sir. I’m in Rhode Island ⚓️🌊
Great video! Thanks for this one 👍🏻🥃
ok now seriously, that is a lot of work and for sure you have to do it every year. i installed plastic edging barrier around. now it is super clean and easy to keep it neat
If you want absolute perfection you can do it every year. But after this it is 20% or less of the effort. Even I was only doing it every other year.
Happy Fourth of July Silver Cymbal
Great work Mr. Silver!
Great video 👍🏼
Here in West Central Florida, we have rain all summer, and maintaining a bed that large, {I've got 2} is easy once it's been done. However, if you miss a week, it's like you've never cleaned it at all! We have so many weeds & strange plants, {not native} if they get a grip... The roots could be in China!
I have always cut in from the grass side and been so frustrated thank you! Will change when I clean up the edges this spring
Beautiful job, and such a lovely spot with fabulous views. Methinks I need a Fiskars spade! Congratulations on your new home. 😉
Thank you! 😊 I really appreciate it. NH is a really nice place to live if you like nature and a little slower pace of life. I think if you get one of those spades you will love it. Still one of the best values I have ever found.
Looks fantastic
That’s a great method! Thanks🐝🤗❤️
Dang, nice man. That really looks good.
Great tutorial!!! I mean fantastic! Can you do a video on sharpening the spade and other garden tools? Thanks and cheers Todd in Louisiana
Thanks for the great content and post. I'll be looking forward to watching another awesome transformation. Thanks for sharing.
THANK-YOU .... great technique and video :)
Looks great!
Thank you
Looks great! I will try this and give up the weed wacker! 😆
My mom uses that technique when she's planting flowers in our yard to.
Very nice video, I feel inspired to do this to my beds. Thank you for the product reviews too.
This is a beautifully done video!
I’m going to do this type of edge. Currently we have small rocks that have sunken into the ground over the last 10 or so years. This gives a much cleaner look. I may have missed it in the video but, how deep is the vertical cut into ground which defines the edge? Tks!
Common sense is hard to come by. Great job!
Your technique there, using a corner of the shovel to cut out the border, smart!
My back hurts just watching you.
Very how to video Cymbal , good job.
Beautiful, Thank You 😊
A nice tip to experiment with your line without cutting it - use a garden hose to lay out the line and then just use the house as a guide
Wow Great job. Thanks for the tips.
Once I determine where the edge will be I use a sawzall with an aggressive 6 inch blade to make a vertical cut. I find the sawzal slices through the top layer of grass and any roots that in the way. Then I can go back in with my shovel and remove the grass and dress the edge.
I do the same but I had to add a saws-all to the project. Tree/bush roots are quickly eliminated with a pruning blade.
Looks good, my own house I have the slope in the flower beds towards the edge and I find myself continuously having to push my mulch back away from the edge as any rain washes it down to the edge.
Thank you. One tip is to always put a very light layer towards the edge and lightly tamp it down. It's very temping to lose that slope and fill it up but then it defeats the slope. Hope this helps
i use soap, they finish super clean with lemon scent
Happy 4 of July sc
Thank you. Yoy as well
Got the shovel, your process worked great. However, my beds are higher than my grass. Common in NE Ohio, so obtaining the angle and finding a place for the dug out dirt was more challenging.
not sure if you have this issue antwhere at your new property, but if you have any surface tree roots in your lawn, do you have any tips on the best way to remove them without rented heavy grinding machinery?
Large ax maybe?
The point you finished the video seems like a good place to drop an edge barrier like thin metal stripping then drop a weed barrier. I have Bermuda grass and that stuff shoots out horizontally like no other. Does this sound like a good idea? Doesn't matter how much mulch I have in my beds, it always gets chutes of Bermuda poking through my mulch.
Never had luck with weed barriers. The weeds just grow on top.
@@Mark.Watson Yeah, that can happen, but at least they should be easier to pull since they're not rooting down 8 inches.
If you do the step edge like this and don't fill all the way with mulch, it's easy to string trim the stolens that each out.
Nice work,,
Beautiful lot 👍
Where are you now? Western Mass?
Looks fucking good!
Wow, I can't believe you moved. Whoever bought your old place will never give it the care you did. Can't wait to see the transformation of the new lawn.
Awesome video. Question - how can you keep weeds from popping up in the beds? I’m putting down landscaping rock soon and don’t want weeds to be everywhere. Is it just buying the best landscaping fabric?
Great video! How do you go about angling the slope if the beds have a metal edge and the yard is Bermuda grass? I don't think I want the grass to come right to the metal edge do I?
This was a better watch than GOT Season 4. What Mic you using these days?
If you have ideas about how to structure the bed/driveway border, that’d be a great help in my yard. A new bed I made this spring is downslope from the pavement and so washes out a bit if we get heavy T-storm type rain.
Wait, wait, wait….you sold your house?! I live Mass and wish I could have bought it! 😭that yard was perfect!
Yes, you missed a video: ruclips.net/video/HH2XpH7BgoQ/видео.html
@@SilverCymbal damn RUclips and missing the notification! Congrats on the on the new place! Looking forward to more of your videos on making it just a great as your last house!
@@JCSOX50 Much appreciated, thank you
Its a lot of work but its worth it
Nice
Do you need waterproofing for the bed? How do you stop weeds growing in the bed?
I tried using one of those gas powered bed edgers. It worked okay but now I need a new mattress.
I have done this and works great, but used an "edge master" for easier and quicker cuts. My only problem now is rain water doesn't flow into the yard as well, and makes a channel in that divot, causing some drainage issues. Any thoughts on a remedy?
What do you do with all your yard waste. I live in New England on 2 acres and there’s no way I could ever compost all of it. Tips?
Why not use a halfmoon?
My thoughts exactly!
Hi,
Did you use landscape fabric or did you just add the mulch?
I have an area that is a beast with weeds and I am considering removing all older mulch and starting over with landscape fabric, THEN adding the mulch.
Thumbs up and subscribed!
Happy 4th of July
You too!
Would an electric wheel edger work? The kind that you use to edge lawns
Those work well once you have an edge, to maintain it. They won't help establish it the first time though,
I see a lot of videos from lawncare companies on RUclips aggressively promoting their services It's as if they realize that eventually, more and more people who never thought of doing so, but have enough rainfall and sunshine to do so , will be moving forward with converting their front and backyards into sustainable 1/2 to 1 acre "mini farms." It seems that the lawncare companies are noticing this and may be in somewhat of a panic. They probably know that in these hard times of pandemic, inflation and unrest, things move quickly and new trends for sustainability can develop practically overnight. Another trend which has a lot of potential is people, particularly in the Midwest where basements are common, experimenting with hydroponics in their basements. Happy 4th of July weekend. Don't forget that our most important natural resources is soil. Sure you need water, but you also gotta have dirt.
If you had a ton of weeds in the dirt, after you dug them all out and edged everything, would you put new dirt down, or mulch
Seems like I have to do this every year, I have to remove loads of material and I don’t have a good compost location. Most hated job every year, but it does look nice.
I suppose that there is a very happy wife in this household haha
Hold on no shed??
Ah… what about the new videos coming up?
Why not also install one of those metal edges?
You certainly can. If this was a commercial property I might do it but I have never really liked how any of them look and although it is tempting to put it in I would rather keep the edge natural. Plus I would probably catch it with my mower at some point. No wrong choice but that's my reasoning for me
That stuff is expensive now!
😎🤝🤟🏼
There are no tricks or secrets just hard work and sweat equity. The tool you used is called a spade
mine are all wrong, lol. no wonder!!!
You can rent a machine that will do this quickly
Me watching this bc I dont have a dad 😂
I really dislike straight sharp edges. Unnatural and fake looking.
It's your yard, do what you enjoy.
I had done this for the past 15 years. Last year I bought some thick L shaped rubber edging and put it in backwards into the cut trench so that even when the mulch shifts forward you still end up with a clean look. It wasn't cheap as each 4' section is $10 but it looks great.
Our guy really bought a new house, so he could do another lawn transformation. Respect 🫡
Nice work.