As the title says. What would be the ideal height relationship of the turf and the sidewalks and driveways? Should the dirt be flush with the hard surfaces thus all of the grass is higher? Or If the intended height of cut is three inches should the dirt be three inches lower than the hard surfaces so the top if the grass is flush with the sidewalk? Should it be something in between?
Is there a standard for this? If so what is it?
That's a complex question as it doesn't pertain to the guy cutting the grass , because the decision has already been made by the guy doing the installation.
Technically speaking
There should be a raised driveway surface with a shoulder that slopes toward the lawn surface.
That's ideal for drainage etc.
But I kinda looks stupid Nd a pain in the butt to maintain with a mower.
When installing a side walk
Typically I split the difference
The paver or concrete being 2.5 inches thick/high
I will set the lawn to come in so it leaves about an inch to inch and a half of paver "high" so part of the paver is exposed so the grass grows in at 2.5 to 3" it's slightly higher than the hardscape
It's difficultly to notice visually
but if you plan the height of grass to be equal with finished hardscape
Note that grass doesn't support your weight and now you have a "lip" at the end of every hard surface that's a full 3" deep and also exposes the pave edge restraint system (black poly edge) which is really hard to grow grass to cover.
BUT if you bring soil exactly to the hardscape edge
It oozes all over while the grass grows in and is a candidate for the sod growing over The hardscape making more edging issues in the future.
that's why I split the difference
And I've never seen a handbook say anything specific about it. only the asphalt guys have a spec for that shoulder mentioned above
