You know it’s spring in Toronto when the grass starts pushing hard at the garden beds, weeds creep in like they own the place, and last year’s tidy borders begin to blur into soft, shaggy lines. It’s a moment that arrives quietly—like the first warm morning you step outside with bare feet and realize winter has finally loosened its grip.
This is the perfect time to edge.
Not just for looks (though the payoff is instant), but for the rhythm of care. A clean, crisp garden edge sets the tone for the whole growing season. It’s one of those little jobs that makes everything else feel more manageable—like making your bed in the morning or washing the windows after a long winter.
The Dog Edge: Simple, Honest, Beautiful
While many homeowners are tempted to install plastic edging or other manufactured borders, these often end up looking cheap, popping out of place, or interfering with natural drainage. In contrast, the dog edge—a gently carved vertical cut between the garden and the lawn—is a timeless method that offers beauty, functionality, and flexibility.
Why it’s called a “dog edge”: It likely got its name from the habit of dogs trotting that same path over and over, slowly wearing a clean groove in the land. It speaks to something handmade, lived-in, and refreshingly simple.
Here’s how to do it right:
1. Tools You’ll Need:
A sharp flat-edged spade (ideally one you keep honed for this job)
A rake or cultivator
Optional: string line or garden hose for marking your edge
2. Timing is Everything: Spring is the best time to edge. The soil is moist but not soggy, roots are still shallow, and the grass hasn’t fully hardened off. This means you can get a clean cut without tearing or compacting the soil.
3. How to Cut the Edge: Use your spade to slice a clean vertical line, 4–6 inches deep, along the edge of your garden. Angle the soil slightly inward on the garden side to create a mini trench. This discourages grass from creeping in and gives your garden a defined, sculpted look.
4. Maintain It Annually: The dog edge is low-maintenance, but it does need a yearly touch-up—usually in spring, right before the explosion of growth begins. In most cases, you’ll simply re-cut the line and tidy the trench, keeping everything sharp and clean.
The Subtle Power of a Strong Edge
There’s something deeply satisfying about walking along a freshly cut border. The lawn knows where it ends, the garden knows where it begins, and the whole landscape breathes just a little easier.
Edging doesn’t shout for attention, but it makes everything else shine—from emerging perennials to crisp mulch beds and tidy lawn stripes. It’s the unsung hero of good landscape design.
So this spring, before the real work begins—take the time to edge. It’s not flashy, but it just might be the most important thing you do for your garden all year.