Lots Of Trench Edging To Do Before I Mulch

[@lifestylebyvita]

That is a great idea. I tried doing the brick border but then the grass growing on the edge just created more work and I do all this yard work myself. I will definitely use this tip. Thank you for sharing 💕

[@JimPutnam]

I think I have tried it all. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@anitahadley2871]

This is what I've been doing for years. It looks so much better than that black plastic edging which I've had to rip out from previous owners. Great tips! I think I need a tall skinny shovel like you have. I've seen you use it a lot.

[@oneofakind3004]

If u use the correct grass barrier u can mow right over it an ur grass will never grow into ur beds. Edging with no block ur grass will always grow into the bed and u will always have to redo it to keep up with it.

[@EarthSojourner]

Jim, I love your videos and know you can't update them all the time. I'm linking to this one in a local gardening group I lead, so I checked your lists of links. You might want to update those kit-at-home ones. Click them, and you'll see why. Thanks for mentioning the half-moon edger, too. I'd wondered why you hadn't. I don't have your strength, so that's what I use. I can stand on it to plunge it deeper into the ground and rock it side-to-side or forward-backward. At full-depth (which is the common depth of grass roots, 4-5", I pull it back to create the gap, with the tilted side toward the bed and the straight edge along the grass so the mulch can fill in the gap, just as you do. The first year, it's sometimes necessary to make an actual trench, but that harder and takes more time.

[@nancybennett9265]

A half moon edger is a great tool. The Bermuda grass is a bugger bear to keep edged.

[@JimPutnam]

That is very true. Bermuda doesn't respect any edging.

[@carlindurfee7566]

I’m not a big fan of the half moon edger I just use a regular shovel and just eye it out and then go back and make it as perfect as possible and it comes out nice

[@Holly24tm]

Excellent video! We purchased a half moon trencher tool. We are going to try it this weekend for a big flower garden. Would it be possible to also put a trench near a pathway? The pathway has wood on the side and then that rubber barrier thing. The grass and weeds grow like crazy between the rubber barrier and the wood. We have to weed wack constantly. Or do you have any other suggestions? Thank you in advance!

[@mscocoabrown3]

Can you use a black and decker edge hog 2 in 1 edger/trencher for this?

[@mayswafford6072]

I really enjoy your videos. I am also in zone 7B in VA. I have a small edge border around our flag pole that I have edged several years. I put several plants & flowers around the pole. When my husband re-seeds the lawn, the seed seem to find inside my border. I want something simple. What do you suggest?

[@Mikeoz196]

Nice video.. the only problem I have with creating a trench along the edge of the bed is that I can't mow the edge of the grass along the bed easily. If you do a real good trench, then the mower sits in the trench and cuts a good inch lower and ends up scalping the grass along the edge of the beds. I am thinking of doing a "mowing strip" out of pavers thinking this might help maintain the edge of the bed and allow a similar height for the mower wheel to ride along. Am I missing something?

[@JimPutnam]

The mulch actually fills in the trench so the tire sits more evenly. If you don't fill it in you would definitely scalp the lawn. The paver edge would work, but would need to be mortored in order to not have weeds or grass between them in the future.

[@everettedl]

This is my first spring in my new place and I've discovered I have a vole problem. The only place where voles don't seem to be is a little section around my deck that's line with rubber edging. I like your method better as it requires less work and looks cleaner, but will this method keep the voles away?

[@JimPutnam]

Sometimes you need to do whatever works for you and if the plastic edging is working I would keep it.

[@ShayLaRae75]

Hi Jim! I hope you are well! So, I did the no dig method which means i have to add compost and top soil to my flower beds every year but not thinking, I put about an inch or two of black big box store mulch down and am at the point where I'm supposed to lay a layer of compost and a layer of topsoil (which I was thinking of using soil conditioner). I've decided to either pick up the mulch and toss it or if you think it'd be ok to cover it with the compost and conditioner (and mix it in) this one time and there after just layer the compost and conditioner yearly. I heard something about it removing the nitrogen from your soil and then I heard it's myth? I have NO idea now. Any advice would be GREAT! Thanks, Jim! Have a good one!

[@hazelnorman8102]

I've tried this trenching method but when I get close to the mulch the lawn mower hits the hardwood pieces and sends them flying out in the grass....not to mention what it probably does to the blade of the lawn mower. Am I just cutting too close to the mulch?

[@JimPutnam]

I cut just inside of the line and then finish the edge with a string trimmer

[@JesseLewisACTOR]

Quick and concise!!!

[@davidbentley5275]

Looks great.Still to cold,36-40 today.

[@JimPutnam]

It has actually returned to winter here again unfortunately.

[@Fauxjob]

Jim, based on your comment I'm guessing you have a riding mower (you replied "tire")? I could definitely see this edge best for a rider. I have tried everything and am doing brick, as this project will have little or no grass but buying brick in bulk is not very easy in southeast GA, if you have any tips I would appreciate it. Great channel, thanks!

[@JimPutnam]

No, I have a walk behind. I have a large lot with a small amount of turf. I would have even less if I didn't have a ditch to maintain. I would be surprised if there isn't a brick supplier near you. You have to buy a whole cube from them, but it is much cheaper. I am replacing my sidewalk with brick this summer and I will be doing a mortored edge on it.

[@CTSCAPER]

Smooth edges to your gardens - I agree! Create the lowest maintenance landscape possible - Heck yea! Don't like plastic or concrete edging because you have to weedwack around it - I hear ya brother!

[@JimPutnam]

Thanks for commenting. I have watched several of your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@CTSCAPER]

Thanks Jim. We have similar beliefs with different climates.

[@1975oldschool]

I find it easier to have a stone border to just run over with a weed eater. But I am going to try one tree and your method and see how my Bermuda grass does. Feel like I’ll still need a weed eater to keep the edge, which will take longer to try and not sling mulch everywhere. Or use the half moon edger I have. Thanks for the videos!

[@oneofakind3004]

THIS DONT STOP GRASS FROM GROWING INTO THE BED NO MATTER WHAT STYLE U DO THATS WHY THEY MAKE DIG IN EDGING.. TRENCH EDGING IS HAS NO BLOCKER FOR THE GRASS. SO DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF EDGING

[@gamewithadam7235]

"I want to talk a little bit about edging." O_O