What are some problems associated with lawn edgers and how do I avoid them?
Lawns are edged in many ways, both chemical and mechanical. Edging often leaves a strip of bare ground along structures in the lawn such as flower beds, gardens, patios, and sidewalks. Edging gives the lawn a clean, manicured look but may increase weed infestation and soil erosion; let’s examine how. Why do weeds occur along your sidewalk edge? There are several reasons. Weeds need moisture and sunlight to stimulate seed germination. Edging affords both. Weed seedlings survive better in the absence of turf competition along the edged area. Preemergence herbicide can be depleted from the sidewalk edge in two ways. Lawn care managers often use leaf blowers to clean sidewalks of stray herbicide granules and often leave the edge of the lawn clean as well. The edges of sidewalks make a perfect channel for rain water to run, thus, washing herbicide away in that narrow edged band. All of these things increase weed presence along edged walkways and there is little that you can do about it. The
