How to Edge a Flower Bed Like a Pro

In this tutorial, I’m going to teach you how to edge a flower bed like a pro! Clean, crisp edges between your lawn and mulch will take your landscaping to another level. And the best part is that anyone can do it. Let me show you just how easy it is.

Step 1: Mark the Border

The first step is to mark the border of your flower or garden bed. The best way to do this is by using marking spray paint. It’s paint that comes in a special can designed to be sprayed upside down.

If you are creating an organic shape for your flower bed, you may want to lay out a garden hose and use it to create the curves.

Or if you are creating a bed with a uniform radius, as I did in this example, you can use a string tied to a stake at the center point. Tie the other end around the spray paint can. This will allow you to maintain a consistent distance as you spray the border.

Step 2: Cut the Outside Edge

There are several different tools you can use to create the edge of the flower bed, but I prefer to use a straight-edge shovel or spade.

Facing the flower bed, place the spade just outside of the spray paint mark, and push down into the ground at a 90-degree angle about three inches deep. If the ground is hard, you’ll probably need to use your foot or both feet to push the spade or shovel into the dirt.

Continue this along the full length of the flower bed, staying just outside of the spray-painted line.

Step 3: Cut the Inside Edge

Once you have completed cutting the ground on the outside of the painted line, turn around and face the opposite direction. Place the spade about five inches away from the line and push it into the ground at a 45-degree angle. The spade should meet the 90-degree cut you made in step 2.

Continue doing this along the full length of the flower bed.

Step 4: Remove the Sod

Now you should be able to remove strips of sod created by the cutting you did in steps 2 and 3. You can do this with a shovel, but I find it easier to do with my hands.

Place your hand under the dirt or grab ahold of the grass and pull them up and out. Lay them to the side or place them in a wheelbarrow to be disposed of when you’re finished.

Step 5: Maintain the Edge

After putting in a lot of work creating nice and clean edges for your flower and garden beds, you want to make sure they stay looking great. I do this with a weed eater or string trimmer.

The best way to trim around a flower bed to maintain a good-looking edge is to hold the weed eater so that the strings are cutting at a 90-degree angle to the ground. In other words, don’t angle the weed eater, this will create a tapered look, and over time your edge will start to disappear.