Repairing Damaged Edges

As time goes on in your garden you will find that, because of poor weather conditions or heavy human traffic, the lawn’s edges will need either replacing in parts or regenerating.

One of the most common tasks a gardener will perform throughout the garden calendar is to repair damaged edges so that they do not weaken beyond repair and do not detract from the look and feel of the lawn. We have all, at some time, seen first hand the results of damaged edges on the overall appearance of a lawn.

When cutting the lawn it is important to trim any overhanging edges so that they are easily distinguishable as being the edge of the lawn, giving those who might walk over it a clearly defined beginning and end. Walking on the edges of a lawn is one of the most common ways of damaging and compacting so that the grass is unable to grow back.

Repairing a Damaged Edge

To repair a damaged edge you should have – as your tools for the job – a spade, a flat board, some plastic sheeting and a half moon edger and some grass seed. The most effective way to replace a damaged edge is to cut a section of turf or grass from a healthy part of the lawn, preferably not too visible or likely to be damaged just as the edge has.

It is recommended that you cut a square of turf or grass about two inches in depth using the board as a means of measuring it out accurately and using your half moon edger – or spade – dig out the square of existing grass or turf and move it to where it needs to replace already damaged lawn. Once done then use your board to cut out the affected lawn edge. Again, cut out a piece of turf or grass around the damaged area – and again roughly two inches in depth – and insert the section you have removed from a healthy part of the lawn.

Upon completing this part of the task it will be necessary to plant seed in the section you have just removed and then water thoroughly – using a sprinkler fitted watering can or hose with a sprinkler fitting. It is best not to water using direct force as this will only serve to waterlog that section and also wash away the grass seed. Then place your plastic sheeting over the area you have just reseeded and secure with some pegs. Leave overnight and remove the next day to allow help with germination.

Back to your damaged edge; once you have replaced it there are still some things that you need to do. One of them is a process we have looked at in other articles called top-dressing. Using this proceed sprinkle soil over the join and brush it through the grass so that it fills in the join and then if necessary sprinkle some new grass seed, water and cover with sheeting overnight.

Bearing in mind that we have taken a section of turf or grass from elsewhere in the garden where it might have been flourishing well, it may be necessary to trim the new edge using your half moon edger and also feed to ensure that this grass continues to flourish and bed itself in.

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