Edging the Daffodil Border
The weather has been cooperating nicely here in the Northeast - we're getting a lot of projects done around the farm while still practicing safe social distancing guidelines.
My outdoor grounds crew is very busy cleaning up the garden beds - edging and weeding them so they look clean and well-manicured. Edging the beds can be done manually with a variety of spades, but depending on the size of the area it can become quite time-consuming. Rotary edgers, powered by gasoline or electricity, reduce the time it takes to complete this job. These machines feature a spinning blade that cuts through turf as the edger is pushed along the garden border. We edge with a Little Wonder Power Edger. It works really well for creating that beautiful line.
Enjoy these photos.
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- This is such a handy tool – it is my Little Wonder gas-powered edger – a single purpose machine used to make good, crisp lines along the edges of garden beds and lawns.
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- Power edgers are easy to use – just line up the edger blade on the outline of the garden bed and turn it on. On this gas-powered machine, one has to pull a cord to start the motor.
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- The blade is several inches long and cuts a very clean edge. Here it is protected by a metal cutter head that can also prevent some of the debris from flying.
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- My daffodil border extends the length of one side of my farm, from my Summer House, past the stable and down to the Japanese maple grove. And, because daffodils multiply easily, more and more blooms emerge each spring.
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- In my daffodil border, I planted early, mid and late-season blooming varieties so that when one section is done blooming, another is just opening up. Consider this strategy to lengthen the blooming season.
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- Here’s Phurba in a protective helmet with a shield and additional ear muffs. It is so important to protect the face from any flying debris. Phurba is checking over the machine before he starts edging the daffodil border.
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- Here, one can see that this bed is in need of edging. Over the course of the year, grass and weeds grow where the edge of the garden meets the lawn, so it’s a good idea to edge regularly. On the left are just some of the blooming daffodils.
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- Phurba keeps both hands on the edger’s handle at all times when it is running. Here he is guiding the machine slowly along the bed’s edge, keeping the blade tight against the ground, so it cuts through the earth.
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- The blade can be adjusted to a cutting depth of up to four inches.
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- Here is the finished line made by the edger. This task can also be done manually with a spade, but because this daffodil border is so long, it is a lot easier to use our Little Wonder.
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- The edger creates a very clean line and clearly marks the curved edge of the garden.
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- The edger cuts smoothly as it goes over the garden soil. Phurba is careful to look for any rocks, twigs or branches which could be in the way of the edger’s path.
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- Phurba also listens to the edger to guide the speed. The machine works harder when cutting through the turf and is generally quieter when it finishes.
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- This is also a good time to check for any weeds that need removing.
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- Once a section has been edged, Carlos uses a weeder to pull any vegetation between the cut edging line and the mulched bed.
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- The blade helps to draw the soil out from the edge, so it is easy to remove.
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- It looks so nice to have well-manicured beds. Edging the beds gives them a beautiful finishing touch.
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- It won’t be long before these daffodils are open – I can’t wait.
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- Narcissus is a genus of spring perennials in the Amaryllidaceae family. They’re known by the common name daffodil. The flowers are generally white, orange or yellow with either uniform or contrasting colored tepals and corona.
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- The daffodil border includes many varieties, showcasing different color patterns, shapes, and sizes of daffodils.
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- Meanwhile, Fernando helps to blow any old leaves and debris out from the bed and the nearby tree pits. He is using one of our new STIHL backpack blowers. This blower is powerful and fuel-efficient. The gasoline-powered engines provide enough rugged power to tackle heavy debris while delivering much lower emissions. I have been using STIHL’s dependable equipment for years.
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- I will be sure to share more photos of this daffodil border as the flowers blossom. Many of you have said how much you love seeing all the spring flowers around the farm. I hope you are able to enjoy the spring beauty around your home – take a walk, sit in the yard, go to a nearby park – and please stay safe.
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