Lawn edging

What edging is

Mowing cuts the top of the grass. Edging cuts the side. It runs a straight line along the spot where the lawn meets the sidewalk and the driveway, so the grass stops at the concrete instead of spilling over it. Most people do not notice a good edge. They notice when it is missing: a ragged strip of green creeping across the walk, or a driveway that looks narrower than it used to.

Why North Texas lawns need it

The grasses that cover most lawns around Frisco, Bermuda and St. Augustine, spread sideways by runners. Bermuda sends them out above and below ground and will happily grow right across a sidewalk. St. Augustine sends thick runners along the surface. Left alone through a warm growing season, those runners can cover a surprising amount of concrete.

Edging on a steady schedule keeps that in check. When the line gets cut every visit, it stays crisp and easy to keep. When it gets skipped for a long stretch, the grass builds into a thick lip over the concrete. That is one reason edging is part of the routine on every visit and not an add-on.

What gets edged

• Along the sidewalk
• Along the driveway

After the edge is cut, the loose grass gets cleared off the concrete as part of the blow-off, so the line looks clean when the visit is done.

Edging and the rest of the visit

Edging is one of four steps. Every visit also includes mowing the front and back yard, string trimming around beds, fences and trees, and blowing off the hard surfaces. Together they are what make a lawn look finished instead of just cut. You get the same full visit on weekly mowing and on the every other week plan.

A tip for mowing day

If hoses, toys or decorations sit near the sidewalk or driveway, move them before mowing day. It keeps the edge line clear and keeps your things out of the way.

Mowing only. Edging here means the line along the sidewalk and driveway. Coopers Mowing does not install landscape borders, cut new flower bed lines, or lay stone or metal edging.