Edge 'em Up!

[MATTHEW]

Stopped by a customers house today and he told me some guy driving by stopped his car, walked up to him on the porch and said
"you have got the best looking lawn on this street!" Needless to say he was proud of his property. Now it is very green due to the 20-10-10 applied 2 weeks ago and was just cut last week. BUT, the difference was that his lawn was edged. Actually it was the only one on the street edged, and there are other LCO's in the area. If you don't edge- do it now. They will see that perfect edge all winter and it will reinforce the fact that your work is above par.
Then next year, hard edge it right from the start and keep it that way by spinning the trimmer upside down and running it over all the edges. Your lawns will stand out from the rest.:blob3:

[GLS]

I edge most of my lawns, but there are many people that don't like the look. When I first started the business, I edged it without asking her, and she hated it. I agree, it does look much better, and makes it easier to trim, but some people don't like it.

[kutnkru]

I like to edge every other cut. This still keeps the properties looking manicured yet it satisfies those who dont like it done each week. I personally like the way the edge looks just about the time Im do to show up. I like the crispness on the beds especially.

I agree that the edges look best when kept clean. Yet sometimes what we do is overkill as well.

Just my .02
Kris

[scottt]

Around here you have to edge every cut. I have never had a customer ask me not to edge every week. They say if they are going to pay to have the lawn mowed, they want everything done. I also mow bermuda almost exclusively, fescue doesn't creep over the edge as much as bermuda.

[Craig Turf Management]

We edge every cut, and twice a year with a push edger to really clean out the cut. Use a stick edger though. A string trimmer will make the void between the curb and lawn too wide after awhile.

Congratulations on the compliment. Bet you can't fit your head in the truck anymore.
Bill!

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Upside down would be the same as bevel cutting it. You would want to turn your string so it's at a 90 degree angle to the ground.

Also when you do this you should stand in the grass and walk back wards. Becarefull cause it will throw lots of stuff out.

When you do it with the weed eater you can make your edge to wide. I've seen may lco's that do it like this that have 2"-3" gaps between the edge of the surface and the grass or dirt.

[walker-talker]

I think that the edging job really is the finishing touch, makes the mowing job stand out. I only edge every other week, unless the lawn is irragated. If you use a stick edger, I can bet that you will never use your line timmer again.

[HOMER]

That's my pet peeve................I won't leave a property unless it has been edged and the grass beveled to match the contour.

It ain't done til it's done!

[GreenQuest Lawn]

I agree (especially at the end of the yr). This is what the customer will remember when Feb rolls around and the new contracts get delivered.

I like to put a nice edge on my lawns on the last cut. Makes it easier in the Spring also.

[PaulJ]

I edge with a trmmer at a 90 like LGF said. if your carefull this works well, or so ai thought . then I got a trimmer with an EDGIT attachment.:D this is a disk that takes the place of the gaurd. Makes a clean straight edge. Easy to maintain. I to can't bear Not to edge every cut. Edgit has a web site but I don't have the address. I agree, a hard blade edger is good to do at least once a year. :D

[Scotlawncare]

I always edge my yards with either a stick edger or weed-eater.

You guys would get a laugh out of this but around town this one homeowner has atleast a 6" edge gap between lawn and any sidewalk or curb. It's soo sick looking. I don't think a LCO does it but if they do I'd hate to have my name on it.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Paul, www.edgit.com

Scott, I saw one guy who I help out mow one day that had a customer that wanted a deep wide gap. Personaly it looked like crap to me.

[Got Grass?]

UGHT, deep wide gap is not a good thing, one company arround here does that. I personally like the to edge but edged, no gap look.
Gap so big their little kid riding thier trike could get a wheel stuck in the thing and get hurt. Don't want to here about anyone getting hurt or a posible liability issue.
I've seen people string trim scalping to the point no grass will grow 6" from the edge, kinda sad if ya ask me....

[LawnPro in NC]

Just ordered a edgeit. Have been doing about like everyone else. Stick once a month or so and string in between. do ege on EVERY trip.

[Mowingman]

Have to edge every week here. During peak growing season, the Bermuda and St. Augustine can run out over a sidewalk or drive as much as 2"/week. I use only a stick edger on these grasses, as edging them with a weedeater won't give the sharp clean edge my customers expect.

[Paradise Yard Service]

This is how we edge in Big Kahuna land. This lawn was had just undergone extensive dethatching (emerald zoysia). I have edged this lawn since 1986 everry 2 weeks WITH the t-27. Notice too the fixed head operation. Only need one tool in my truck for all trim/edge needs.

[bubble boy]

practically no edging done here.

most edges trimmed to 45 degrees. i have a customer whose neigbor is edged, and does look better. but i have never been asked for the service.

[Craig Turf Management]

bubble boy

My clients don't ask me to edge either. That's just a part of the service expected of a PROFESSIONAL turf care company. This is one of the details that sets us apart from the half-assed cutters out there. If you are not edging, start. In the scheme of things it adds just a little time to your stop.
Set yourself apart from the mediocre services out there.
Bill!

[Jay ALC]

I assume when you guys speak of edging you mean around all concrete areas. This is what I do and weekly at that. Also does everyone, I would assume, string trim everything else each time as well? Just curious.

[groundsguy1970]

:( I hate to edge! :(

[bubble boy]

bill as i said almost no companies where i am do this.

from upstarts to companies with multiple crews. ive worked for companies that did 10 million dollar homes-no edging. ive never used an edger nor seen one being used. by anyone. i do see the odd house with it done, but it never catches on.

i dont think of my self as a half ass cutter. and i know that the huge estate market companies around here don't think off themselves as half ass cutters.

i wont add such a service without CHARGING for it. and right now i don't see the need.

i guess my market is different from yours.

unbelievable, eh?:rolleyes:

[williamslawn]

We edge asphalt,concrete, and all beds. No exceptions. It is included in our prices. We use to give customer option but now when I bid on a job I include it in the price.

[Craig Turf Management]

You're right. Don't do anything for free.
Not saying you're not a pro, just take the opportunity to set yourself apart. You have to admit that an edged lawn looks much better than the lawns that aren't.
Take care, Bill!

[MuskTurfKing]

I edge everything, everytime. If not, it looks like a 3 year old was doing the job. I can't stand to see grass growing over onto the sidewalks and curbs.

Hank

[PaulJ]

MuskTurfKing

"Amen "