Is it better to mow or edge first?

You would think this is a simple question but it is a rather contentious issue. Many people believe you should edge first and then mow while others are quite insistent that the opposite is true. I explore both options and consider – is it better to mow or edge first?

Gardening is part art and part science and a whole lot of passion. There are best practices but there are often no perfect answers. Each garden, every environment, and all gardeners are different. While the main aim is to have a neat and attractive garden you want the experience as well as the landscape to be what is perfect for you. 

There are two schools of thought and you need to decide on what works best for you and your garden. 

Mow first and then edge

Many people prefer this method. Mowing is the biggest part of lawn maintenance.  It takes a bit of time and effort. Once it is done, you can clearly see what is left. It is then relativity easy to do the edging. The only downside is that if you have already cleaned up it will leave extra grass clippings that need to be removed. 

It is generally easier to see where the problem areas are and where you need to concentrate your efforts once the grass has been cut.  Mowing first will generally lead to neater sharper edges. It could take a bit more effort but depending on circumstances, might be worth it. 

Edge first and then mow

The main thinking behind this option is that you prevent damage to trees, shrubs, and other plants. By edging first, you remove the grass and leave the plants safe. This does make the task of mowing faster, easier, and probably a bit safer for the plants in the area. 

If you are careful and only mow in the lawn area, this need not be an issue. Again, it will depend on the layout of the garden and how long the grass has been left to grow. If you mow regularly and edge most of the time, this is not likely to be an issue. 

Truth be told, most professionals do it this way, edge first and then mow. The main reason for this is that they work on the lawns often and maintain them well throughout the year. 

Maintain edges correctly

One determining factor in this discussion is how well your edges are created. If you practice regular correct edging, maintenance is easy. It probably makes no major difference if you edge before or after mowing. 

If the grass has crept into the flowerbeds, paths, and paving, you have bigger issues to worry about. In this case, you need to attend to that problem immediately. 

Use a half moon tool to create a neat sharp edge and lawn edging shears to remove all the grass that has encroached into other areas. Thereafter, it is quite easy to maintain the edge. 

Final thoughts

There is no definitive answer. The best solution is the one that works for you. If you are unsure, try both and see which is easier and produces the best results, 

The most important point is to remember the importance of edging for a great lawn. This part of the process cannot be neglected.