Maintaining an aesthetically pleasing fence line requires more than just installing the fence and leaving it to fend for itself. From trimming the grass around your fence to preventing vegetation growth altogether, your fence line needs consistent care. Use this guide to help you create a neat, attractive boundary for your property.
TIPS FOR EDGING ALONG A FENCE LINE
Edging is an effective way to maintain a tidy appearance and prevent grass from creeping under your fence. Follow these steps to trim grass around a fence:
- Position your edger: Align the blade of your rotary lawn edger with your fence line, setting it directly adjacent to the fence’s base.
- Activate the edger: Power up your lawn tool, allowing a few moments for the blades to reach full speed before starting your task.
- Maintain a steady pace: Carefully guide your lawn edger along the fence in a straight line and at a constant speed.
- Navigate through dense patches: If the blades struggle in dense grassy areas, gently pull the edger back a bit. Wait until the blades regain their normal speed before proceeding.
- Complete the edging: Repeat these steps until you’ve created a neat, crisp edge along the fence.
HOW TO PREVENT GRASS GROWTH ALONG THE FENCE LINE
Perhaps you don’t want grass growing near your fence. In this case, the following steps could prove highly effective for preventing unwanted growth, maintaining the aesthetics of your property, and promoting the longevity of your fence:
- Trench the fence line: This involves removing grass and weeds and digging a shallow trench along the fence line with a shovel.
- Spray herbicide: Spray a premixed glyphosate herbicide to kill any remaining grass along the fence line. If you prefer not to use chemicals, opt for vinegar instead. Just be careful not to spray your other plants.
- Install landscape fabric: When applied at the bottom of a trench, landscape fabric effectively inhibits the growth of grass and weeds.
- Spread mulch or rocks: Installing a mulch garden bed along the fence line or filling the trench with small gravel further suppresses unwanted vegetation. It also enhances your property’s appeal by creating a clean grass border a few inches or feet from the fence. You even have the opportunity to landscape along the fence line with trees, flowers, and shrubs.
- Use vinyl strips: For chain link fences, apply vinyl strips to prevent unwanted vegetation growth. Ensure the strips are at least 6 inches wide to provide adequate coverage.
INSTALL A NEW FENCE TODAY
At McGee Fence & Deck, we understand that fencing is more than a simple boundary marker—it’s an essential part of your property’s aesthetic. If you’re ready to upgrade your existing fence or install a new one from scratch, we can help. We specialize in numerous fence materials, including vinyl, wood, aluminum, and more. To schedule a free fence installation estimate in Southern Maryland, the Eastern Shore, Delaware, or the surrounding region, please contact us at (410) 641-0910.