A square-edge garden spade works well as does a sidewalk edger tool which is a half circle blade attached to a long handle. It has edges bent over along the top of the half circle for you to step on to shove it down into the dirt with your foot. It cuts straight down through the grass & roots. You can rock it side to side to get a good cut then lean it back to lift the section of sod. I edge most of my beds once or twice a season. It's a lot of work but they look SO much nicer plus the trenches hold water IF & when it rains. I generally find other places in the yard where I can use the pieces of sod.

I use the half circle edger too. Very easy to use. I'm lucky if we get to it once in the spring.

something like those at the link

surely you can find it at bigboxstore for $30 ....

but as important as the shovel.. is something TO SHARPEN THE SHOVEL WITH ...

it took me about 20 years to figure out that a sharp shovel cuts thru sod easier than a dull one.. go figure on that .... duh!!! .... lol

and either a file and vice.. or a grinder ...

even better is a swarthy spouse who will do the brut labor for you.. lol ... for beer or food .... or whatever.. wink wink ....

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

Thanks Ken! And guess what I actually have 2 of the 3 tools mentioned I have a square edged shovel and a spouse with a grinder!

super!!!!

now go buy him a 15 oz steak and a 12 pack.. and tell him its all his when the edging is done.. lol

ken

i used to use the hose .. to define the edge of the bed .. presuming you are not doing just a straight line ....

and then used the inside bed side of the hose as the guide for the shovel ....

ken

I use a round-tipped garden spade, which I prefer to the half-circle tool hanging in the shed. My beds get edged in spring and whenever I feel the need ... a freshly-edged bed looks so nice, gives me a feeling that I do, in fact, have some control over this otherwise crazy world, and it stays done a LOT longer than housework!

@Ken: The hose technique works great ... as long as you don't cut through it with that sharp shovel!

Sharp or dull blade, $100 or $30 dollar shovel, edging is hell on bad knees. That's one thing I have to pay for. My husband has no patience for it, even he got the steak and beer.

Marie

@Ken: The hose technique works great ... as long as you don't cut through it with that sharp shovel!

===>>>> that is why you save the beer for AFTER the digging is done... lol....

ken

Idabean, my best recommendation to you for a great edger is called Steppin' Edger. i just googled and found it for sale on Walmart.com, for less than 25$, but Amazon has it for a bit more. it is wonderful -- big platform to step on, and easy to use -- i'm just 5' tall, and over 60 years old, so the usual half-moon edgers are awkward for me. i've had mine for a decade, and this one is actually a pleasure to use! it folds up for storage, too. you might like it.