What is difference between edging and trenching? - e-architect (2024)

What is difference between edging and trenching guide, Property lawns boundaries, Building driveway advice, Real estate builder guide

post updated 10 February 2024 ; 29 March 2022

Are you planning on purchasing an edger or trencher for your landscaping project? If so, you may want to see which one will work best for your needs. Let us learn the difference between edging and trenching so that you will know the tool or equipment you need.

What is edging?

Edging is the process of making neat lines or boundaries on surfaces such as lawns, driveways, and streets. To do so, the individual will slice or dig on the soil to make a shallow trench. This method is often done with the help of a manual tool we call a “lawn edger.” Of course, to make the process more convenient, motorized lawn edgers are also available in the market.

When you need to create lines around your property, edging will be enough to do the job. Since lawn edging’s main purpose is creating visible lines, many people think that it is just purely for aesthetics. However, this is not always the case, as the boundaries it creates also allow people to see where their property starts and ends, which prevents them and other people from intruding in their personal and private space.

Benefits of edging

Aside from making clear boundaries between properties, edging can also be used to:

a) Prevent grass growth

When you use an edging tool, it will be possible to stop turf grass from growing from the freshly cut surface. This will also keep your garden healthier as it discourages the growth of unwanted weeds.

b) Make your backyard more appealing

Are you planning on making your lawn more attractive and boosting its appeal? Carefully edging borders on your property will do it, plus, you can also use your lawn edger to keep your soil or mulch in place.

c) Create a clear definition for gardening projects

Do you want to separate your flowers from your herbs or vegetables? If you are serious with your garden, using an edger to cut lines on your soil allows you to separate plant categories from another.

What is trenching?

Trenching is the process of making a deeper hole to create a border on surfaces such as a lawn. If we compare it to edging, the main difference is that trenching creates a deeper hole while edging only excavates a shallow surface. Because of this, most trenching projects require motorized equipment, although manual tools are also available.

When you need to do trench edging for your landscape, there are a lot of tools you can choose from. In fact, there are even 2-in-1 tools that combine trenching and edging equipment on one tool, which may be enough for residential projects.

Benefits of trenching

In its essence, a trencher also does the same things that an edger does, but in a more advanced manner. For example, most higher capacity edgers can only dig so much soil in a couple of minutes that a small capacity trencher can do in just seconds. Aside from this, trenching can also be used to:

a) Make much neater lines

Because it creates much deeper lines, creating boundaries using a trenching tool is much more cohesive and neater.

b) Help with laying down utility lines

When it comes to installing electricity and other utility lines that need to be buried underground, digging a trench will be necessary to complete the task.

c) Help with installing drainage systems

Installing drainage pipes may require you to dig a trench for it to work. Compared to using an edger, using a trenching tool will be more convenient and safer.

Can you use an edger to trench?

Yes, in minor projects where you have no choice but to use your already existing tool, you can try using your edger to trench. However, when it comes to using a lawn edger, the most important thing you have to consider is its capacity limit. Since there is a clear restriction to the depth that an edging tool can make, it will still be apparent that a trenching tool will be more powerful and much more convenient to use.

Of course, the strength of your lawn edger will still be the deciding point for the success of your landscaping task. If you really need to trench while using an edger, you may have to take more time to get the job done.

Do you need help with your landscaping project?

When you are starting your own landscaping project, chances are you do not have the necessary equipment for it. In this case, looking for excavation companies in Colorado Springs with the right experience will certainly take the weight off your shoulders.

You deserve the best team to help you when it comes to your property. Make sure to get qualified contractors for your edging or trenching needs.

Another lawn edging post on e-architect that might be of interest:

Materials for durable grass edging solutions

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What is difference between edging and trenching? - e-architect (2024)

FAQs

What is difference between edging and trenching? - e-architect? ›

Trenching is the process of making a deeper hole to create a border on surfaces such as a lawn. If we compare it to edging, the main difference is that trenching creates a deeper hole while edging only excavates a shallow surface.

What is the difference between edging and trenching? ›

Trench vs Barrier

To recap, the trenching option may not be best for your needs because it requires frequent maintenance—re-digging the trench every so often. More often than not, when an edge is being installed, it's to reduce landscape maintenance and increase the style of your overall landscape.

Can an edger be used as a trencher? ›

Our Power Edger is a versatile and useful machine. Thanks to a variety of available blade profiles, it can open beds, groom perfect edges and even trench. Check out the video below to see our edger in action using the trenching blade.

What are the benefits of trench edging? ›

The biggest advantage of trench edging is that it can be done by hand, so it's a great choice for those who want to save money and enjoy the process of creating their own garden beds. However, trench edging can be susceptible to erosion and is not the most permanent solution.

How do you dig a trench for edging? ›

It's easy. Just take a flat-edged shovel and dig straight down 3 inches along the outer edge of the lawn. Then dig a second slice that's at a 45-degree in the direction of the border or bed. So you'll end up with a trench that's straight downward on the lawn side and angled up to the border.

What is considered trenching? ›

A trench is defined as a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth of a trench is greater than its width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet (4.6 m). What are the dangers of trenching and excavation operations?

What is edging in engineering? ›

Edging lines are used to condition the edges of material. An edging line can range in design from a very simple set of hardened tool steel roller assemblies for de-burring, to a highly automated line capable of producing full round or shaped edges.

How deep does an edger cut? ›

An edger's increased speed also allows the contractor to be more productive. Because the edger is set to a specific height and angle, the edge will be more precise – 3 to 5 inches deep, with a slope of about 8 inches – throughout the bed.

What is the maximum depth of a trencher? ›

Smaller models can often dig trenches between 1 and 4 feet deep and between 4 and 16 inches wide. Larger trenchers can dig ditches up to 18 feet deep and 4 feet wide.

How far down does a trencher dig? ›

Typically, a walk-behind trencher can dig up to 48 inches, and a ride-on trencher can dig up to 6 feet.

What are the purposes of edging? ›

Anyone can use edging to increase the intensity of an org*sm or sexual experience. Others may practice it to make their sexual activities last longer. Males can also use edging as a way to reduce premature ejacul*tion. Females can also experience premature org*sm and may use the method to help avoid this.

What is edging in construction? ›

Edging means materials of treated wood, stone, concrete, metal, or plastic installed to separate landscape areas of differing ground cover material and to separate landscape areas from other uses on the property.

Does edging help with drainage? ›

3) Edging Helps Improve Drainage

Metal edging helps to improve drainage, which makes for healthier plants and better-looking landscapes. And, when you use metal edging instead of wood or plastic edging, you can easily cut and shape it to fit any curve or corner in your yard.

What is trenching vs edging? ›

Trenching is the process of making a deeper hole to create a border on surfaces such as a lawn. If we compare it to edging, the main difference is that trenching creates a deeper hole while edging only excavates a shallow surface.

How do you prepare ground for edging? ›

For best results when installing paver edging, spread an even layer of firmly packed sand an inch deep along the bottom of your trench. Tip: Dig your trench so that the front wall is straight. This will make it easier to install the edging evenly.

How deep should a bed edge be? ›

Insert the spade vertically as you work – slice straight down through the turf. After you have established your outline, move to the inside of the bed line and cut at an angle to remove the turf. This process creates a V-shaped trench along the edge of the planting bed, ideally 4-6 inches deep.

What does edging mean in landscaping? ›

Proper landscaping means understanding the difference between edging and trimming. With edging, an actual cut is made in the lawn. This “edge” puts a line between the grass and borders or sidewalks. Trimming is cutting grass in spaces where your lawn mower can't reach, such as against a wall or fence.

What is the difference between edging and line trimming? ›

Trimming you lawn is like icing on the cake. It's not necessarily needed, but it makes for a much prettier display. Trimming will help add that manicured touch to your lawn. Edging is a vertical cut and trimming is a horizontal cut.

What does edging mean yard? ›

It emphasizes the lines and edges and leads the eye to the next garden focal point. From a practical standpoint, landscape edging helps to keep turfgrass from creeping into surrounding garden areas. At the same time, it prevents soil or mulch in garden beds from spilling onto the lawn whenever you water, or it rains.

What is the purpose of edging concrete? ›

Edging is the process of creating rounded or beveled edges along the concrete surface. This technique is crucial as it helps prevent the edges from chipping away over time due to traffic and environmental factors.

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