Off-Season Lawn Edging

So, what do I mean by off-season?

Well, this could be the non-growing time of the year whereas your turf grass leaves (blades) are not growing vertically or are dormant.

Or, it could be your state-of-mind as you see no reason for lawn maintenance except for keeping it clear of debris - leaves, pine straw, branches, etc.

For most of the off-season, you will notice very little to no vertical growth. Most of the warm season turf grasses which we have here in the midlands put out stolons (runners). These lateral above-ground root stems seek out the warm earth during the off-season and unless impeded by some barrier, will find their way beyond what you define as your lawn and into your plant beds or other areas.

Even with some bed borders, these stolons will still find a way under, through or over, depending on the type and depth.

The spread of the stolons varies and some are more noticeable such as centipede reaching quite far to take root over a barren piece of earth.

Unattended, any of the grasses can take root in your plant beds and require more work to remove. Successfully edging (cutting through a stolon) doesn't mean you solved the problem. It will grow and root again, and repeat.

But, if you or your lawn service routinely check these borders and edge regularly, or as needed, you will have cleaner beds and a better-looking lawn.

In the photo you will notice the right border is concrete and although the grass has no chance of re-rooting and continuing, it is quite unsightly.

The remaining edge of the lawn has what I call a natural border, as the lawn meets the bed with no man-made or other type of barrier. I believe these are very attractive when maintained, but are more susceptible to grass creep.

So, walk around your property and make note of where your lawn abuts whatever - a plant bed, a walkway, a ground level patio.

With some attention to detail, the delineation of your landscape's components will make all stand out and complement one another.