How to Get Clean Edges in Your Lawn the Easy Way

Clean Edges on Your LAWN look amazing & serve a purpose! My new house looked HORRIBLE, see the transformation & my easy tips for anyone to get impeccable results! RAZOR Sharp beds set your lawn & yard apart and help your plants.
Fishers Garden Spade Shovel: amzn.to/437ed2a
Groundkskeeper II Rake: amzn.to/41ZBty5
Husqvarna Trimmer: amzn.to/3Bdqd6f
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal.

[@SilverCymbal]

Thanks for watching! Tools I used: Fiskars Garden Spade Shovel: amzn.to/437ed2a Groundkskeeper II Rake: amzn.to/41ZBty5 Husqvarna Trimmer: amzn.to/3Bdqd6f

[@erikj9962]

I bought both the shovel and rake based on your previous recommendations and they are amazing tools.

[@JMEagle101]

Thanks for tool link I purchased the Fiskars Garden Spade Shovel today!

[@mc-sp8zr]

One additional tip - if you are starting from scratch and need to establish your edge layout, throw a garden hose down and adjust it til you like the look, then trace along the hose.

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

Absolutely a pro tip 👍

[@tchall8153]

I run string line chalk next to the hose and then move it out of the way.

[@harryl7946]

I eyeballed it and now I have a curve 😂😳🤬 But I can fix it! Wife says I can fix anything.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

I did just that but now my bed is coiled up and a small circle.

[@steffen707-]

​@@tchall8153 do you just spray the chalk next to the hose, then move the hose?

[@cardesigner]

My favorite tip for shaping beds; let your mower define the shape by mowing a shape that is comfortable for the mower to make, this will avoid tight turns and beds that are too close to plants that you don’t want to be bumping into while mowing. After you mow the line you want, you use your shovel to edge. Then you know that when you mow you can comfortably mow that shape.

[@peterc6197]

You are the neighbor we all wish we had.

[@mollypitcher9380]

It would help with property values! 🙂

[@OrpheusMay]

Dude....excellent video! Concise. Straight to the point. Love the DIY creative approach. You didn't just say that we don't need those fancy edging tools, but you showed that we don't need them by doing it. Love the helpful tips as well, such as doing the job right after a rain. It's going to rain tonight so I know what I'm going to be doing tomorrow.

[@DirtygardenCA]

can we take a moment to appreciate how well that lawn has turned around since moving in?

[@SilverCymbal]

I really appreciate that. Its still got a ways to go but its coming along

[@DirtygardenCA]

@@SilverCymbal Based on your previous work, I have no doubt you will get it dialed in.

[@TekedixXx]

Really valuable information. I've found myself lining my beds with stones or other liners, I've never known how to get that great look. This looks like the manicured lawns fit for Country Club Hills; without the need for an expensive landscaping service.

[@spencerlocke7443]

If you want to do it once and never have to do it again you can buy steel edging from Menards, Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc. it comes in 8’ sections and is just maybe 3/16” steel with slots and stakes to connect them. If your cut edge from your shovel is straight vertical it makes the installation of the edging easier. You only want about 1/4” of the steel edging to be above dirt level so the grass will hide it completely and when you do your string trimming you can turn your trimming head spinning on a vertical axis and run it right along the steel edging and if you take your time and get used to doing it you can have a well defined transition from turf to mulch. It’s very important that you cut the edge first and only cut it deep enough for the edging to not get buried. It takes some work to get it right but when you’re done you will have that professional edge for as long as you own the property

[@MilesSherry]

Great technique and no need for extra steps. Eyeballing it works amazingly well. Very helpful video!

[@acanfield87]

This is a great technique! I applied this to our front beds this spring and got some compliments from the neighbors. In addition to the tight lines it really is great at keeping the mulch in the bed, as you mentioned.

[@donlarsenjr2332]

I highly recommend the half moon edging tool. It makes cutting the edge 100 times easier and produces very crisp edges. The shovel is angled and is very awkward to use.

[@briancnc]

I don't like that one, works very poorly like most edging tools. Like him I take a small straight blade shovel hit it with a flap disc on an angle grinder to make a knife edge and it cuts butter smooth sharp edged beds every time.

[@2990rick]

agree, have used the half moon for 50 years, and it is also good at making curves

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

A flat square shovel is far more effective imo and shouldnt be angled.

[@gary4738]

LOVE the half moon edger, it’s the way to go!

[@Greg_Gatsby]

I have a flat shovel like that I’ve been using for years and my father used it before me. It’s just a shovel that’s always been around as long as I can remember which makes it easily 75 years old. A few quick swipes with a bastard file and you’re likely good until this time next year. 👍

[@TheZachmann21]

Doing this year after year, do you find that the beds grow in size as you remove more grass/dirt from the edge?

[@nismojukerich2994]

If you do it right and you're not cutting in new lines you won't have that problem. You really just need to go straight down following your previous edge and clean that wedge back out.

[@buddwizersiren_9173]

I literally started watching this guy a couple years ago after a this old house episode. Here I am 3 yrs later watching every one

[@mollypitcher9380]

Great info!! Well produced video…I’ll try your technique VERY soon! 🌸 UPDATE: 6/11/23 I used the hose to saturate the ground, used the circular “shovel”…couldn’t push down hard enough PROGNOSIS: EXCELLENT 6/22/23: well, I’ve completed the top 4 most visible (to the street) flower gardens…just gorgeous! Because it’s so easy and effective , I’m going to go on to the less important beds. Thanks again!

[@stephenroth72]

Looks great. Keeping shovel sharp with an angle grinder or file, really helps too.

[@seanharding]

Thank you for making your videos to-the-point rather than adding a bunch of filler and making them 20 plus minutes long!!!

[@LeMatt87n]

This is KEY

[@cecemeyers6028]

Love the edge technique! Never would have thought to do it that way but so glad now I do. I especially liked your high tech graphics which show the grass and the bedding area. That is the part I didn’t know how you create; seriously you made it look so easy

[@indiawinbush8399]

Yessss I took a screenshot of the graphic! THANK U

[@Sylvan_dB]

And doing it in athletic shoes. Wow. I need to wear boots to protect the arch of my foot from the shovel.

[@UlisesCortez-i4l]

I wear sandals

[@6732Louise]

Great video and tips, thank you for not blasting the thing with weedkiller which is what I’ve seen in so many other lawn edge videos! 😮

[@roomanaseher2844]

What a great way of explaining everything. Love the video. Precise and well made.

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

So grateful for your channel. Helps me with things my dad never got to pass on to me before he passed. I recommend to everyone and keep up the great work!

[@SilverCymbal]

Thank you so much for the kind comment

[@tchall8153]

👍

[@ronh9384]

Last year my neighbor used a battery powered sawzall with a long dull blade to define his beds. It seemed to work great.

[@susannescheper8350]

Thank you. I appreciate low cost solutions

[@status2077]

I'm edging rn

[@teresagardner6081]

I want you to know that I love your videos, which are well-made, feature the easiest techniques, provide comprehensible instructions, and provide the required tools list. I really appreciate how you begin your video depicting the tools that aren't needed... I've been gardening for a long time, but was never able to get those great looking edges. I can now all thanks to you! You, hands-down, have the easiest and best technique for making the yard edges look so professional without paying the pros for doing it. After you've finished, and your neighbors think your yard looks pro great, and you're the "pro" who did it, this makes for a real pride of ownership. I wanted to take time to thank YOU for sharing this pro technique with all of us. I'm sure there's gardeners everywhere that are very appreciative of you. Again....Thank You and Happy Gardening! I am a very happy gardener.

[@markkempton4579]

I think your last edging video was how the algorithm introduced me to your channel. Great to see you revisit it with the new home.

[@jonathansherwood5841]

Very nice! I don't have garden beds, but I am looking to add edging around my mother's trees and add mulch around the trees. This will get me started on getting those initial lines going. Thanks again for another good video @Silver Cymbal ! 🐺🔧

[@bobnarrus3218]

Very timely advice sir! Thank you as always!!

[@AaronJimenez-e8o]

You sir, are awesome! I appreciate your passion for sharing lawn care advice and being honest with how you take care of your property and equipment. As someone who aspires to acquire lawn care and landscaping knowledge, you make it easy to understand and practical to start. Muchas Gracias!

[@elainekomara8555]

Wow. Thats easy soft soil and the grass doesn’t have many roots. The soil I have is hard like a rock because of all the roots from the grass. Ugh..

[@princevlogs3879]

does this guys leg still work?

[@VeryRich111]

I used this technique a couple years ago and it works! However, I did it in the middle of summer which created a lot of hard work. Its now time for a tidy up - thanks for this video, it really does work and you don't need to spend money on the fancy tools.

[@Mark.Watson]

Great lawn edging tips.

[@tcunero]

My beds are completely overgrown... I know not if I have the energy to weed em. :(

[@SilverCymbal]

I have never had beds that were as bad as these. I find that once you do the outer edge it definitely encourages you and you can break it up into multiple times. At least when you finish it. it will likely never get that bad again

[@tcunero]

@@SilverCymbal Thanks! I will give it a try, they are almost an extension of the lawn, mixed with some nice plants here and there but overall I dont know how to tackle them without calling a landscaping service to get me started.

[@Kim-ek7xy]

The beds look really nice. I wish they would make spade shovels with longer handles. I'm tall, it kills my back to bend over like that and lift the dirt. My regular shovel is too curved to make a clean cut. Your landscape is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@MoCowbell]

Just did this. You're the best!

[@SilverCymbal]

I appreciate that. Glad it was helpful

[@dane940]

I need a good electric weed eater. What do you recommend? Thanks In advance.

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

I was always curious how people got perfect edges around their lawns, Thanks for the info I'll have to try these techniques.

[@SilverCymbal]

For 15 years mine always looked bad. One day I met a landscaper who showed me this method, I adjusted it a bit for me (lazy way) and it has done so well for me and you can break it into multiple days too which makes it easier.

[@beckykent6674]

Great video! I love how good your edge looks and that I won't need all those special tools! Thank you!

[@ItzSlashyyy]

thank you! I needed a new edging technique, my last technique made me finish too quick making a mess everywhere 😆

[@nancywells5626]

Nice video, thank you for sharing it.

[@driver49]

Nice tips but... Dude! You are NOT old enough to remember Hopalong Cassidy! Well done!

[@mikemiller5139]

What's to keep the crabgrass or Bermuda grass from just growing in and ruining the edge.

[@matthewtaylor4469]

A weed eater 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@jklphoto]

Wow, love your new place! What part of the country?

[@gcfun]

You’ve got a beautiful place! Thanks for the video, it was helpful!

[@sathivv950]

Anyone know how to deal with bed creep where the bed keeps getting bigger due to successive cutting back with the shovel and string trimmer? I have seen my beds gradually get bigger over the years trying to do this so I think I might be doing something wrong?

[@jim6235]

Edges look great, love that porch too! Enjoy

[@henrymorgan3982]

Clean and neat! Love it!

[@thewalmartninja4825]

Hi

[@freakofnatur101]

I prep driveways, i pull string lines an clip with a straight edge transfer shovel to leave a nice straight edge for the new incomming driveway.. and i use the same trick at home. .

[@carolannaitken5812]

I like the half moon edger better

[@grgman8637]

Absolutely stunning piece of property!

[@CheaddakerT.Snodgrass]

Bought the shovel. Fiskars is great. Saw a video of a different method and used a reciprocating saw with a long coarse blade to do the initial cut. Worked very well. Used the shovel to define it more.

[@christinelewis1825]

Great tip on edging! I am always trying to keep my landscaping edged. Thank you!

[@spiritandtruth7399]

Excellent!!! This is just what I needed! Thank you!!

[@felixmadison5736]

For all you 'youngsters' out there wondering who 'Hoppalong Cassidy' is: He was a radio/movie cowboy character who wore an all black outfit, and carried two pearl handled revolvers, and rode a white horse. The actors name was: William Boyd.

[@ItzSlashyyy]

nice, he looks cool

[@jamessharier7529]

Excellent video, this was an extremely big help for me and I’m 70 yrs young. Any tips on shovel sharpening?

[@grahamhawes7089]

It doesn’t take very long with a regular file from the hardware store. If you need to remove a bunch of material, you can use an angle grinder.

[@lisab.6818]

I just wanted to tell you how much I love your new home! The stone, the screened in porch and all the work you have done. It is soooo charming.

[@SilverCymbal]

I really appreciate that, its a very special place. Its been empty for many years and time has taken a toll with mice, bats and a lot of other issues. But we are feeling like we are getting ahead of some of it now. I am going to do a video tour in the next month to share some of the unusual stuff we have found here. Thanks again for watching

[@lisab.6818]

@@SilverCymbal I cannot wait for the video and your family must be so excited to move there. We moved into a property built by the owner in 1970 and lots to do from my decorating standpoint but have many of the same features that we enjoy!

[@Laurri-m4x]

Not for nothing why not the whip.2 cycle straight shaft..ive done this almosr as long as yiu there .in florida via rhode island..yiu got that notth east accent ..i get why your doibg this .but why are you oicking yhem up..your a good home owner...you got money to .use your hose .lie the edge out with the hose..line the hose with the weed eater..when yiu chuck the line w your shovel..your shovel helps when the neighbors tree fall to..i use my shovel to beat ny neighbors yelling throw ne yiur wallet you tree fallin mother..

[@SentientEgg]

Is this doable if I have rocks instead of mulch? I’d assume so, but does anyone have any tips, input or objections?

[@edgeright]

If only there was a Steel Edging company that is strong, bendable and has a safe rolled edge. oh wait

[@bradbaker5707]

Dude awesome video

[@joshuaescamilla6390]

Hello! Is there a fertilizer you can apply to the mulched areas to help keep weeds and grass away?

[@bobclapper2672]

Really Glad I found you. Please keep up the lawn care, string trimmer tips( Makita Tips Too ) etc..

[@SilverCymbal]

I really appreciate that, glad they have been helpful

[@cydwarren9801]

Is there a more permanent solution (some sort of landscape barrier) to keep well defined beds without having to redefine them yearly?

[@liammclaughlin2881]

really? I've been doing this since I was 12. This is nothing brilliant.

[@alicia8643]

Did mine with the half moon edger at 0.47. Best decision ever. Such a clean edge! My favorite garden tool! Bought on Amazon and did my entire yard this summer! Such a nifty little tool and SUPER easy to use! RECOMMEND!

[@bobbynorth8484]

New subscriber from uk great videos very helpful

[@MrRohithtv89]

I think it will also help to put in a pre-emergent herbicide before mulching

[@SilverCymbal]

I would agree. These beds especially have been neglected for over 10 years

[@TheNatureGuy]

I'm having a deja vu moment with this video. Did I watch this last year or am I imagining things?

[@SilverCymbal]

No you aren't losing it, I made a video when I did the rough cleanup last year, but couldn't finish it and could not show the final result. No mulch, no final pass, too busy dealing with mice and bats, Fortunately those guys are gone now and getting the place further along, so I ended up doing it all again with the mulch and final trim which is when it really comes alive.

[@garyl6190]

Great video!

[@ransomcoates546]

The unnatural look imposed on this landscape is very ugly.

[@Murrayfan]

Tips for doing this in heavy compact clay? Ive tried after rains and it still is tough to penetrate

[@user-ze4gt1jr6x]

Is a half moon not a thing in America. Much easier than a shovel.

[@SilverCymbal]

No we have them. Problem is that it makes the edge of the bed jagged and it doesn’t do the back cut

[@gary4738]

Disagree

[@davem6685]

Stupid homeowner gimmick. Use a spade.

[@johnniepegues305]

Let me understand this your making a line with out sting or paint spray

[@manicirishwriter]

Nice

[@SilverCymbal]

Thank you

[@RubyRae-b7z]

First your yard looks absolutely beautiful. You just saved me A LOT of money. I had someone come for a consultation and wanted to charge me $3000 and that’s the starting price. I’m getting ready to retire and I need something to occupy my time, so this will be one of my things to do. Thanks for the tips. What perennials do you have to brighten up your garden. Btw I live upstate New York and my zone is 5

[@CleanBurp]

Dude! Great video but the Hop Along Cassidy reference was hilarious. 120 years old...

[@deborahjames2854]

This unfortunately, does not work in some parts of Texas. I can’t even put my shovel down 1/4 inch before I hit a huge rock or many 2” rocks. Very frustrating.

[@ndean3296]

Great tip! Does anyone know how to remove a large patch of invasive zebra (ornamental grass) ? DESPERATE!!

[@irene1185]

Hello, When would I need to use landscaping fabric and how told I keep ants from making a nest in my mulch? Ants have created several nest throughout my yard and there are 3 different types of ants.

[@michaelpinc526]

When mowing, do you ride the edge? Or do you stay about 3-6 inches back & use your edger to clean up the grass? Curious if the mower would cause collapse after a few years.

[@bellakim9404]

I'm a girl who loves to get out in my yard and dyi. I'm ordering the shovel and trimmer through your link. Awesome video. Thank you so much!

[@NPonlamuangsri]

I’ve always been curious how people mow with beds like that. Do you put one wheel in the bed to get all of it or do you leave a strip and then string trim it?

[@SilverCymbal]

Correct, but some mowers have wider decks and may extend into the bed but you definitely dont want the wheel in there, it will ruin the edge. I will usually just mow fairly close and do a quick pass with the trimmer, every other mow

[@NPonlamuangsri]

Hey, thanks for the reply and the content! I want to reshape the beds in my yard to make mowing easier. I was considering those eco edges but they’re a bit pricy. I would love to see a video about mowing around obstacles if you’re up for it. Thanks for all you do!

[@MaryMelin]

I will use my Fiskars shovel for sure…but…this may sound dumb, the straight edge of the blade is not sharp, almost thick. Is this normal? Should I find someone to grind the edge down? Great looking beds btw!

[@specfever2]

"First, mow your lawn..." Proceeds to next step with a shaggy lawn... 😉

[@nathangant7636]

Looks easy in cooler weather but I don't know if I could do this in +100 deg. F. heat without going very slow and taking multiple breaks. I'd still be drenched in perspiration. Using an electric edger and an eco-friendly weedkiller for the surrounding beds would be easier for me.

[@jkundalia]

We have clay and it’s very hard to go down even an inch.

[@xtremehardy388]

I'm loving your tips. My only problem is that it's December, in Michigan, and I'm going to have to wait until spring thaw.

[@Mzmel2023]

What if we have crab grass? Will this still work?

[@leelunk8235]

A MOWER AND A TRIMMER IS ALL I NEED, SCREW EDGING, IT'S USELESS

[@Mr1lolo94]

Thanks for the video!! What happens to your clean edge line if you get a a heavy rainfall? I am worried about my mulch running into the edge.

[@matthewtaylor4469]

Do you use landscape fabric, something else, or just mulch.??

[@diverdave4056]

come on now use a three wheeled LAWN EDGER to mark out the line to dig at = FAST and EASY !

[@johnprettie2348]

Good video, except your edge will slowly sink down. I know because I did this exact thing years ago and learned my lesson. You need to put some kind of edging along there to support your soil....soil will not support itself.

[@dwr1611]

excellent, thank you! One question though - what happens if you do this year after year and then your bed becomes larger and larger as you have to cut a bit of sod every time?

[@warmrollsforthetable]

That's exactly how I do it!

[@MurphsMom2008]

Do you have suggestions for getting the grass just under a fence line? My string trimmer has a hard time getting it and I don’t really want to use Round up. Thanks!

[@boneyn3661]

I'm fixing up garden beds for a lady, she has literally thousands of big and little rocks in her beds. I've removed the larger ones but she wants me to keep the small ones, as there are so many and it's very daunting... should I just leave them in? I've pulled the weeds out and unwanted bushes, and old growth. Adding soil now and going to add an edge today. However, the lawn is short, solid is hard, and we haven't had any rain for a while. I'm thinking of adding the rest of the soil to her beds (she ordered 7 yards the other day), and then going back once we've had some rain so I can set a nice edge. Thanks for the tips in here, great video!

[@JCZ2601NL]

🇳🇱👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏🍀

[@samivelable]

Great video, thanks!! How deep do you dig down and how thick is your mulch? I find the mulch just levels out the trench if you have any decent mulch thickness or it seems such a steep slope if I make the cut into the grass super deep - I am doing something wrong lol!!