Easiest way to trim edges of a garden?

[PE]

Hi
As stated in another post we have recently had our garden completely re landscaped and I obviously wish to keep my shiny new lawn well kept.
Part of this issue will be keeping the lawn edges neat and the issue is that our lawn in completely surrounded/enclosed by pine sleepers

What would be the best tool for edging in this circumstance - keep reading horror reviews on various electric strimmers (with line problems etc)

Thanks

 

[Thermo]

simple electric strimmer. sleepers wont cause much breakage to the line, its harder surfaces that normally do such as concrete etc

 

[PE]

simple electric strimmer. sleepers wont cause much breakage to the line, its harder surfaces that normally do such as concrete etc

Thanks for the quick reply as always.
Having never owned a strimmer before, most online reviews of such items have always contained references to problems with lines breaking and then time consuming rethreading, auto feeds not working etc

Any particlular recomendations for a good make that not going to end up costing me time and end up throwing the thing in the bin - or am I over reading into these reviews!!!?

Cheers

 

[breezer]

i used to have one from B & D then i changed it to the B & D auto feed one, just dont hit it too hard (you have to hit it to get the auto feed to work)

quality of line also makes a diffreance, cheap stuff really does break very easily

 

[lx200gps]

Personally I find strimmers, electric and petrol, a pain in the neck and I believe they have no place in a well-kept lawn. Why not get yourself a long-handed shears instead? This will give a much better cut/finish and are cheaper and quieter.

Mr Pickles

 

[breezer]

question Mr Pickles.

shears are good, stimmer will cut for its entire length of "string" but as the op has the lawn enclosed with sleepers how will shears work?

I am thinking the ends of shears never cut and you cant get the edge because of the sleepers.

Ultimatly i would say take a 4 inch perimiter off the lawn and lay say slate, that way lawnmower can go over the edge of the lawn, and be above the slate

 

[lx200gps]

Breezer,
your suggestion of a perimiter is the best solution for the appearance of the lawn as this method really looks professional. But it is more time consuming maintenance wise. I find that with this method you will have to use both a long-handed shears (lawnmower wheels will prevent you from cutting right up to the edge whether you cut lengthways or sideways) and a long-handed edging shears. You will also have to go around and pick up the grass cuttings falling into the slate as these will look unsightly.
Also agree with your comments about cutting with shears but I still think this is the best method if there is no perimiter. On many occasions I’ve had to tease the grass away from walls etc, with a broom in order to cut it properly. I think people will have their own ideas here and I cannot disagree with you. I just hate strimmers, that’s all.

Mr Pickles

 

[breezer]

ah, you never mentioned broom, novel idea.

also i only "invented" 4 inch border for the post, perhaps a wider one?

 

[lx200gps]

well, okay then, let's forget about your 4" border and make it 18" instead. then we can put some plants in there.
Mr Pickles

 

[PE]

Thanks for the suggestions guys - think we will try strimmers before we cut 4 or 18inch borders into our new lawn though! The broom suggestion may be useful if the grass doesn't play ball

Can't believe how quickly the grass is growing here still - will be giving it a first high cut very soon me thinks!