We have a couple of planting beds that need to be redefined (my language) and weeded/mulched. It’s on the first part that I have questions.

I’m familiar with edgers used to trim yards against concrete. But here are these “bed redefiner” types (i.e., Stihl FB131) that look like regular edgers, but with a different blade design? And then there are the ridiculously large commercial units (for creating beds from nothing?) that I’m obviously not spending $7K+ on.

These beds were created by a man with a shovel just a couple of years ago, but the edges are invisible (and level with the yard) at this point and overgrown with ivy in several stretches.

So… what do I need to properly cut the edges again, which I assume would be more than sufficient for maintenance in the future? I’ve gotten a couple of quotes, which aren’t terrible, but I’d just as soon do it myself if practical.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

-Rob

See about renting what you need.

I use an edger with a blade on my EGO, and when in a hurry a simple turn of the weed eater sideways will cut a good edge.

It is a multi tool power head that allows you to detach the tool and switch easily. You can add all kinds of tools, shrub trimmer, mini chain pole saw, etc.

The blade will cut deeply into the soil and help you maintain a good edge. With the heavier trimmer line you can get a pretty good, deep edge as well.




The key to keeping it straight, do it once a week, since the edge has been lost I would go through it first with the string trimmer using a heavier string weight such as .95 or higher, and get the multi sided line, it will cut through the ivy, grass, soil and create your edge, then follow through to give it a deep cut with the edger tool with the metal straight blade.

You can get fresh blades or line at any big box store.


Link on Trimmer Line

Link Ego Combo

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
I use an edger with a blade on my EGO, and when in a hurry a simple turn of the weed eater sideways will cut a good edge.

It is a multi tool power head that allows you to detach the tool and switch easily. You can add all kinds of tools, shrub trimmer, mini chain pole saw, etc.

The blade will cut deeply into the soil and help you maintain a good edge. With the heavier trimmer line you can get a pretty good, deep edge as well.

The key to keeping it straight, do it once a week.

Link

Thanks - if I can do what I need to do now with a normal edger, I’ll pick up the Milwaukee 18V FUEL tool, since I’m heavily invested in that ecosystem.

The real question is whether that would be sufficient for / capable of cutting the edge again.

If I have to rent something heavier to start, what am I looking for? Preferably not one of those compact car-sized walk behind units…?

-Rob

With a new head and blade unless you're cutting through tree roots, and of course not seeing the lawn, it should create a nice edge, it's what the lawn crews here use for cleaning up rough edges.

Since you own the tool, go get some heavy line .095 twisted or square and feed your weed trimmer that line and go for an initial pass to clean up the edge, be the least cost best option to see how much work it really needs.

For maintaining the edge, you can use a weed trimmer with good line, the key is the line, the cheap ol thin gauge line just won't cut it (see what I did there, cut it? LOL) ok it wasn't that good, but the pros here use heavy line .095 and up with twisted or square edges as it will cut deep, both into the soil or your leg...

This is how I use my weed trimmer to maintain edges in St Augustine grass, which is seriously thicker than any bluegrass fescue I remember.

Sounds good to me. And I only use .095” Cross-Fire anyway. I’ll give it a shot and see how it goes. I’m always up for an excuse to buy another tool anyway.

-Rob

I flip my weedeater upside down. I've probably only got 300 feet or so that I keep edged, and it does a great job. Every time I mow I trim what I need to trim, then flip it over and edge what needs edged.

If I had thousands of feet or was cleaning up something that hadn't been maintained in ages something a bit stouter might work better, but for my flowerbeds and curbs it just isn't needed.

I have a sears gasoline edger (3.5 HP) about 16 years old. And it does an excellent job on sidewalks, driveway, and edging the landscaping around our house. It is easy to control and doesn’t take too long to take a pass around.