Mowing Vs Edging: Which Yard Maintenance Task Should Come First?

Have you ever stood in front of your lawn mower and trimmer, feeling your overgrown grass tickle your ankles, and wondered which one you're supposed to use first? Or have you paid too much attention to the landscapers nearby to see which order the professionals go in? You want the time you're putting into lawn care to be worth it, so which comes first — mowing or edging? Based on practical considerations, firing up that mower should be the first order of business for yard maintenance.

A well-cared-for lawn is about more than just aesthetics. It can increase the value of your home by as much as 15% to 20%. So, understanding the importance of maintaining your lawn can literally make you money one day. And there are so many ways to maximize your lawn's potential, including mowing techniques to minimize weeds, strategies to get your grass to grow upright, and even advice on the best time of year to stop mowing. Similarly, being aware of the proper order of use for your lawn's trusty sidekicks is imperative to making your yard the one everyone envies. Perfectly mowed grass and crisp, clean edges may have passersby wondering if you're a professional, and using the mower first before the trimmer or edger is the best way to get there.

You can prevent some of the grass, weeds, and dirt debris from accumulating and needing to be cleaned up in your freshly edged areas by mowing your lawn first. If you edge first and mow later, everything you just stirred up is going to get tossed back into those clean edges you just spent so much time on. You'll either need to get your trimmer back out or leaf blower — either way, you're now wasting time.

Mowers also can't get into some areas, such as tight corners, like a trimmer can. So, mowing first allows you to see the areas you missed and trim anything extra while you edge. If you do this the other way around, you're inevitably going to miss a chunk of trimming the mower couldn't reach, and again, you'll have to get the trimmer back out, wasting time. Save edging for last so your lawn is sharp, metaphorically and literally.

To get the most out of the mow-first method, it's important to use your mower efficiently. Focusing on efficiency can also go a long way in making your yard look as good as a golf course while still allowing you time to enjoy it. First and foremost, make sure your mower's blades are sharp, which will make it easier to cut the grass, rather than hack it. Oddly enough, mowing in a circle can reduce time spent on this task since you're not pivoting frequently like you do with straight-line mowing. Be sure to mix up your mowing pattern so the grass doesn't learn to grow in just one direction, making it harder to mow. Avoid going too close to any edges that are best tackled with your trimmer afterward; this also avoids adding debris to that area prematurely.

Regular upkeep is an important aspect of lawn health, too. Mowing can reduce weeds. It promotes healthy, dense development of your grass, encouraging lateral growth and flourishing of new shoots. Edging keeps weeds and grass from overtaking driveways, walkways, and curbs by creating a barrier between your lawn and solid surfaces. It's less likely you'll have weeds poking through cracks in your patio or driveway if they can't reach it.