The perfect front lawn requires more than just a simple once-over with the lawn mower. If you want curb appeal to inspire the envy of the entire neighborhood, you’re going to need a few extra landscaping tools and know-how to get the job done right.
One of the most useful tools you can invest in is an edger, which will help you maintain those delicate and hard-to-reach grassy areas around the perimeter of your property, along your driveway or walkway, or around garden beds, trees, or other fixtures that make it difficult to mow.
Lawn edgers come in many different makes, models, sizes, and operating systems. To choose the right one, you’ll want to take into consideration a number of factors:
- The size of your lawn: Edgers range anywhere from small handheld manual machines to large push systems. If you have only a few minimal areas to edge, you might do well with the smaller type. For more extensive landscaping, investing in a higher-quality and larger device may well be worth your while.
- The angle you want: The angle of your edger blade will determine the look and finish of your work. Some models come with adjustable blades for handling various projects and outcomes, while others will be equipped only with the standard perpendicular blade.
- The power you need: First, you’ll need to decide between a gas- or electric-powered edger. Electric ones tend to be smaller, quieter, and better for small jobs. Gas edgers can come with two or four cycle engines for even more advanced power.
- The time you have: On average, the American homeowner will spend four hours per week taking care of their lawn, which adds up to more than eight days (208 hours) per year. A quality edging machine can make your maintenance routine much more efficient and precise.
If lawn beautification is important to you, you’ll want to have the right tools on hand to help you do the best work possible. A quality edger will be important for keeping your yard looking sharp and neat all year long, but choosing the right tool isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all decision. Take your needs and space into account to make the best choice.