admin Creating a neat lawn is not only about mowing and watering. How you edge and border your lawn can play a big role in the health, spread and appearance of your plants over the years. This is particularly true of buffalo grass, the widely used warm-season turf that is soft underfoot and has a spreading growth habit. By knowing how various lawn edges and borders affect the soil, roots and runners, you will be able to choose better options for your lawn.
Why Lawn Edging Matters for Grass Health
Lawn edging serves both aesthetic and practical purposes. It defines boundaries, keeps lawns from creeping into garden beds, and creates clean lines for mowing. For buffalo grass, edging choices are particularly important because this grass spreads through above-ground runners. Borders that restrict or damage these runners can affect how evenly the lawn fills in and how resilient it remains over time.
Edging also affects air, soil, compaction, and moisture retention at the edges of the lawn. A bad border choice can cause thinning or stress at the edges even if the rest of the lawn is doing well.
Metal and Plastic Edging
Metal and plastic edging are popular choices as they are cheap and easy to work with. These materials form a rigid boundary that confines the buffalo grass and stops it from encroaching into other areas. Correctly set at the appropriate depth, they enable runners to grow along the surface with minimal restriction.
But if the metal or plastic edging is installed too shallow or is exposed by erosion, it can become caught in the blades of the mower and cut surface runners. This could slow down lateral growth and make the edges scalloped. The keys are to watch carefully and be ready to tweak your maintenance to keep the borders humming along with the natural growth rhythm of buffalo grass.
Concrete and Paver Borders
Concrete is durable and polished curbing and paver borders enhance the look of any landscape. These hard edges can be very effective in containing buffalo grass in walk ways or formal garden patterns. They last a long time because they don’t move, and they keep clean lines for years.
The disadvantage is that solid edgers can bounce heat back onto the lawn and impede water flow at the edge of the lawn. In warm weather, this could quite possibly dry out the soil faster at the border. Boseley said it is not unusual for buffalo grass to begin to stress out along concrete edges before anywhere else on a lawn.
Natural Trench Edging
Natural trench edging is created by digging a shallow trench that runs along the lawn and the garden beds. This technique is popular with gardeners who want to be flexible and that don’t want to invest too much material. Trench edging allows runners, for buffalo grass that wants to spread naturally, but still allows a visual barrier.
Since there is no physical separation, this kind of edging is high maintenance. Runners can easily jump the trench, especially in the growing seasons. Although this method does allow buffalo to grow, it is a high maintenance constantly to keep the borders looking tidy.
Timber and Wooden Edges
Which applications do you consider good for timber edging? Timber edging can be used to create a natural look in landscapes and is best suited for casual landscape layouts. It can be kind to buffalo grass runners if you put it in with the right spacing and drain the water away. Soil temperatures Wood doesn’t get as hot as concrete so soil temperatures may be more stable along the edge.
However, timber may move or rot with time. Strategically placed gaps, or uneven sections may also trap moisture, or soil may compact which can affect root health. Buffalo grass should be checked on regularly to make sure that it is growing evenly and unchallenged by any stressors such as wooden borders.
Mowing Strips and Transitional Borders
Mowing strips, usually run along the perimeter of the lawn and adjacent to the sides of walks, patios, and driveways. These strips prevent benefit from frequent trimming and prevent buffalo grass edges from being damaged by the wheels of mowers. With proper width, they allow runners to advance up to the strip without being cut too severely. The key is to have good drainage under the strip. Poor drainage can result in ponding, and gradually undermine the roots of the buffalo grass close to the edge.
Balancing Control and Growth
Selecting the appropriate lawn edging is a matter of balance. You want to have enough control to prevent buffalo grass from spreading into other areas, but you don’t want to add so much restriction that it inhibits spread and resilience. Some consideration of heat reflection, drainage, and maintenance requirements will help you choose borders that will contribute to long-term lawn health.
Conclusion
Various lawn edges and borders influence the growth, spreading, and performance of buffalo grass over time. Flexible edging is naturally conducive to growth while rigid, strong borders create a firm structure but need careful irrigation and maintenance. Choose an edging that fits your lawn’s needs and your level of maintenance, and enjoy clean lines with the stunning look of your buffalo grass lawn.
