Do This Lawn Task In The Fall For Pristine Yard And Flower Beds

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As the air smells faintly of earth and endings and the ground wears a patchwork of gold and rust, your yard begins to change. Flowers droop after their peak, and the grass stops its relentless push, lying lower and calmer than before. This is the moment when a little attention goes a long way. If you want your lawn and flower beds to look intentionally cared for, the task that makes the biggest visual difference is edging your lawn (sans the biggest lawn edging mistakes). It creates a clean border between the grass and the garden bed, making your yard look intentional and beautifully complete.

Fall is the golden hour for completing this chore. This is when most flower beds are entering dormancy, which means you're not risking any fresh blooms or tender roots. And in many U.S. states, fall precipitation gives the soil just the right amount of moisture that makes it easier to cut through — not the rock-hard dryness of summer or the soggy mess of spring. Cooler temperatures also mean you actually enjoy working outdoors without breaking a sweat every five minutes. Even better, some weeds aren't fighting for dominance anymore, so your clean edges stay neat for longer.

To begin with, you'll want protective gear, like gloves, goggles, protective footwear, and maybe a long-sleeved shirt to keep stray debris off your arms. Other tools you'll need include a half-moon edger (like this CKLT Edger Lawn Tool), edging shears, and of course, a lawn mower. Some opt for a string trimmer or weed whacker rather than an edger tool to get the job done. Having everything at hand makes the number one task you should take care of in November hassle-free.

Once you're suited up, add this quick task before edging the lawn for an easier trim with less mess: Lightly mist your yard to keep loose grass from blowing around. Next, take a slow lap around your yard to remove sticks or any debris. (String trimmers cut through everything in their path, and the last thing you want is a flying twig to mess up your momentum.) Finally, fire up your mower and trim your lawn. Make sure you don't take off more than a third of the length, though.

Now, start cutting with your half-moon edger. Follow up with edging shears to sharpen the edges. Trim carefully so each line is crisp, and keep your movements slow and deliberate. Finally, gather those clippings. You can toss them into compost or sprinkle some around your flower beds as a light mulch.