BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LANDSCAPE GARDENERS
  • Home
  • Landscaping
    • Decking
    • Driveways
    • Garden Patios
    • Garden drainage
    • Fencing
    • Turfing
    • Planting
    • Landscape Gardeners Amersham
  • Design
    • Landscaping Ideas
  • Privacy Policy
  • News
  • Contact

Say goodbye to over grown lawn edges with mow strips

7/31/2023

0 Comments

 
Mow strip
This article contains affiliate links


Lawn edges have always required regular maintenance, as grass grows it encroaches upon flower boarders, paths and patios.

This leads to many hours of weeding, edge trimming and edging. Not only is this extra work it can also lead to an untidy and shrinking lawn over time.

Furthermore, many lawns border other features higher than the lawns surface level. Features such as sheds, raised beds and raised patios are difficult to mow neatly up against leaving strands of un-mown grass. 
​
Brick mow strip
Brick mow strip
This is because high, vertical sides, act as a barrier to the edge of mowing blades. Over time, continuous strimming can cause damage and deterioration to these vertical features.

Consequently, the best mowing strips have a broad width of at least 100mm. This enables mower blades to easily overlap mow strips without colliding and damaging vertical features. 
​

What is a lawn mowing edge strip?

​
A mowing edge strip is a strip of material which enables easy mowing and eliminates the need of lawn edging.

The primary concept of creating a mowing strip is having a hard edge completely flush at the same level of the grass. This enables easy mowing, stops grass encroaching on other areas and gives the lawn a clean edge.

More robust mow strips made of paving and natural stone also add the extra benefit of forming landscape structure.

Mow strips made of paving and natural stone can stay in keeping with gardens other surfaces and design theme. 
​
mow strip
Paving mow strip

Why install a mowing strip to your lawn?


  • Prevent grass from spreading onto flower borders
  • Create a well defined neat and tidy edge to lawn
  • Provide easy mowing with no edge trimming
  • Provide a bold structure to your landscaping
  • Create a consistent level to your lawn

Different types of mow strips

Timber

​Timber mow strips are typically created using gravel boards. These thin boards are rather flexible and effective for forming organic shapes and curves. The main disadvantages with timber mow strips are they eventually degrade and are often very thin. 
​
timber mow strip
Timber mowing edge

Metal

​Metal edgings, like timber, can be perfect for forming curved lawns and flower borders. Their metallic aesthetics make them effective for a contemporary and modern look. Unlike timber, metal is much less likely to degrade, however their thin profile are not ideal for mow strips.  

Plastic

​There are now a number of plastic edgings on the market advertised as lawn edgings. I personally do not recommend using them as mow strips. On an environmental level plastics are suitable for landscape construction. They have a tendency to break easily and degrade within sunlight. 

Rubber

​There are rubber edging products on the market that can be used as mow strips. However on a functional, aesthetic, and environmental level I do not feel they are a good option. 

Why use paving and stone to edge your lawn?

Paving and stone is a much more effective material for creating mowing strips. Firstly, masonry materials offer wide and flat surfaces which allow mowers blades to reach lawn edges.

Materials such as bricks, setts, and paving as edgings can easily match other garden features such as paths and patios. Masonry is much more durable than other materials and more likely to last the test of time.

​The installation of a robust sub-base will also prevent roots of shrubs and perennial weeds encroaching upon your lawn. 
​
Granite sett mow strips
Granite sett mow strip

How much do mow strips cost?

The best way to build robust mow strips is with either landscaping bricks or paving. If you want to know how much mow strips cost in these materials visit our costing articles below. 
​
Picture
Picture

How to make a mowing strip with paving step by step

Mow strip shopping list

​
  • Sharp sand
  • Compactable sub-base (type1)
  • Plastic packed cement
  • Mortar plasticiser
  • Mortar water proofer
  • Paving of choice
  • Skip​ ​

Tools you will need

​
  • Cement mixer
  • Extension lead
  • Wheelbarrow
  • Spade
  • Shovel
  • Spirit level
  • String line
  • Rubber mallet
  • Bricklaying trowel
  • Work ramp

Step 1: Mark out runs for your new mow strip

​
It is important that you mark out where your new mow strips will be situated. This is so you excavate out just the right amount of soil for your sub-base.  Marking out can be done with line spraying paint. 

Step 2: Check your completed levels


​If you are digging into an existing lawn you will want your mow strips to follow the existing lawns level. This means following any natural undulations and bumps around the perimeter.

In such a case you will have to measure a consistent depth down as you dig. If you are laying a whole new lawn you have the opportunity to lay your mow strips completely flush and level.

​Consistent levels can be formed using string lines, timber pegs, sprit levels and laser levels.
​ 
Picture

Step 3: Excavate your mowing strip edgings

​
Excavate your mow strips to a depth of around 150mm. Try to keep your excavation neat and square with no loose soil in the base. It is best keep your excavation the width of your completed mow strip. 
​
edging excavation

Step 4: Fill your excavation with sub-base


​Fill the bottom of your excavation with 100mm of compactable Mot type 1 sub-base. Spread out the sub-base as level as possible and then compact firmly with a tamping bar. 
​
Edging sub base

Step 5: Set up your working area

​
Set up your working area for laying your new mowing strips. This typically will include a power lead, cement mixer, wheelbarrow and all relevant materials. 
​
Working area

Step 6: Cut your paving into mow strips

​
Measure out your paving into 100mm wide strips or whatever width you prefer. You may preferer a brick or sett effect, if so, cut them down into smaller and consistent sections. If your coping undersides are very flat score in some grip keys with your grinder. 
​
cutting mow strips

Step 7: Mix up your laying mortar

​
Mix up your laying mortar for your mow strips. I recommend using a 1:4 sharp sand cement mix with a PVA bonding agent and mortar plasticiser. The mortar should have the consistency of a stiff brick laying mortar. 
​
Mortar

Step 8: Tamp down your edgings


Tamp down your edgings into position gently making sure they make full contact with the mortar. Check the level as you lay with a spirit level or alternatively utilise a string line. 
​
Tapping down mow strips

Step 9: Joint your edgings

​
Using a strong, weatherproof grouting mix point the gaps between your mow strip units. For more information on how to grout external paving visit our step by step guide here. 

Step 10: Make good surrounding ground

​
Now that you have completed laying your edgings, fill in soil around them and tidy up the surrounding area. If there is a gap between your existing lawn and mow strips, fill with topsoil and seed them. 
​Thank you for reading our article on creating your mow strips for easy mowing. If you would like us to install a mow strip around your lawn contact us here. Below we have linked to some other mow strip articles you may find useful. 
Picture
Picture
Picture


'As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    The Author 
    Paul Nicolaides 
    BA (Hons) Dip

    Paul Nicolaides has over 30 years of recreational gardening and 20 years of professional landscaping experience. He has worked for landscape contractors including design and build practices across London and the South East. In 2006 he qualified with a BA Hons degree and post graduate diploma in Landscape Architecture. In 2009 he founded Ecospaces an ecological landscaping practice which aims to improve social cohesion and reduce climate change through landscaping. In 2016 he founded Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners which designs and builds gardens across Buckinghamshire and the South East. This blog aims to provide easy problem solving information to its audience and encourage others to take up the joy of landscaping and gardening. 
Landscaping services across Buckinghamshire, Norfolk & East Anglia 

Hyde Heath, Amersham, Buckinghamshire

Rockland All Saints, Attleborough, Norfolk
Read our Google Reviews
Picture

What Our Clients Are Saying

​Paul laid a very curvy brick mow strip all around our lawn and also added a circular patio and added some new grassed areas. He paid so much attention to each brick laid to make sure the end results was perfect. Despite the wet and muddy work everything was made good and looked amazing once finished. His enthusiasm and knowledge for the garden and plants was infectious. He even fixed a couple of broken paving slabs that he saw down our side alley without being asked It is refreshing to see someone take so much pride and care in their work and we would definitely book him again for any other garden project."
Privacy Policy

Contact Us

Call me on 07535228686

    Newsletter Subscription

Subscribe to Newsletter
Photos from Maggie Hoffman, Aaron Volkening, Darlene Roelofsen, David Paul Ohmer, denis.zabin, Permaculture Association, Bill Selak, The fixed factor, The Garden Smallholder, Tauralbus, nan palmero, Lee Cannon, Monkeystyle3000, Darlene Roelofsen, nicolas.boullosa, Bryn Pinzgauer, cattan2011, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Matthew Paul Argall, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), tdlucas5000, Acabashi, Ronald (Ron) Douglas Frazier, Gilles Gonthier, Martin Hesketh, Owen P, steve p2008, Bennilover, *_*, blumenbiene, Julianna, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), Daryll90ca, Wendell Smith, Acabashi, Decorative Concrete Kingdom, Permaculture Association, MizGingerSnaps, Tjflex2, wuestenigel, travel oriented, Aaron Volkening, shixart1985, SupportPDX, pete. #hwcp, MostlyDross, Local Food Initiative, Ronald Douglas Frazier, Oregon State University, perfectgrassltd, shixart1985 (CC BY 2.0), aarongunnar, Acabashi, Actual Brian Crawford, jeans_Photos, alh1, Darlene Roelofsen, Rromani from Romania, docoverachiever, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), tawalker, markfountain52, Maria Eklind, treegrow, deckerme, Kevan, richardghawley, Ivan Radic, Mark Wordy, garryknight, Matt Lavin, greger.ravik, Capt' Gorgeous, LWT Gunnersbury Triangle, Wonderlane, Rudi1976, stonescape, Dinesh Valke, troutcolor, Acabashi, Juhele_CZ, Darlene Roelofsen, pikkuanna, tdlucas5000, Jocey K, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), Acabashi, focusonmore.com, BethinAZ, zoetnet, kurt.stocker, Monkeystyle3000, ell brown, Bryn Pinzgauer, Mark Wordy, infomatique, Linda N., Armcon Precast, Tinkers Moon, AnnSophieQ, mikecogh, Bob Klannukarn, Aiko, Thomas & Juliette+Isaac, ChrisHamby, Alessandro_Corsoni, Stiller Beobachter, GLVF, denisbin, MizGingerSnaps, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), garryknight, goforchris, Dick Thompson Sandian, alljengi, Paul Comstock, Kelowna09, Decorative Concrete Kingdom, Kanesue, BlossomPDX, Wonderlane, alh1, PAUL (Van de Velde) -Fotografie, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), Paul and Jill, Gilles Gonthier, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), katunchik, thinkactlove, gidlark, jugreen_de, Ivan Radic, tompagenet, corsi photo, www.to-tuscany.com, Mark Wordy, UC Davis Arboretum & Public Garden, Aaron Volkening, Mark AC Photos, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, arripay, denisbin, alans1948, wallygrom, Frank.Vassen, alh1, Scottb211, LenkinDesign, wallygrom, Mike Bonitz, Aaron Volkening, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), juliamaudlin, dwblakey, Jocelyn777 Love Europe, mikecogh, jeans_Photos, Corey Leopold, Jeremy Levine Design, Kaibab National Forest Photography, Ciarán Mooney, onnola, 35mmMan, longlabcomms, nc.hort, Jamiecat *, pom'., Puddin Tain, Acabashi, tompagenet, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), Loz Flowers, Alan Stanton, Darlene Roelofsen, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), denisbin, Darlene Roelofsen, zakzak7, Center for Neighborhood Technology, wht_wolf9653, LenkinDesign, HerryLawford, FoodCraftLab, Miranda J Wood, Key West Wedding Photography, Montgomery County Planning Commission, bienen-nachrichten.de, zaphad1, SupportPDX, Ronald (Ron) Douglas Frazier, itmpa, Judy Gallagher, SteveR-, kylehase, simonmgc, treegrow, garryknight, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, el cajon yacht club, cattan2011, Ed Bierman, mikecogh, Mike Prince, photofarmer, M. Martin Vicente, Darlene Roelofsen, La Citta Vita, Mary Gillham Archive Project, Puddin Tain, sustainablejill, ScotGov Rural, Macleay Grass Man, Andesine, denisbin, *_*, samsaundersleeds, onnola, James St. John, Pixelteufel, www.twin-loc.fr, The359, F. D. Richards, berniedup, Monkeystyle3000, Mark AC Photos, Mark Wordy, michael clarke stuff, La Citta Vita, jeremy_norbury, gbohne, jmeissen, blumenbiene, Scrap Pile, eibar, Allan Hack, 4nitsirk, Phil Gayton, Michele Dorsey Walfred, Ruth and Dave, AnnSophieQ, pete. #hwcp, regina11163, Matt Lavin, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋), john.purvis, MikeHawkwind, Key West Wedding Photography, alh1, hardworkinghippy : La Ferme de Sourrou, tristanf, shixart1985, blumenbiene, Paul Comstock, Michele Dorsey Walfred, Seattle Parks & Recreation, MCristian2013, Ruth and Dave, alh1, Matt From London, Ruth and Dave, Matt Lavin, ndrwfgg, Mara ~earth light~ free potential, radio silence, wallygrom, Maria Eklind, brewbooks, denisbin, Maria Eklind, F. D. Richards, Tauralbus, samsaundersbristol, carolinezimmermann.com, Maria Eklind, roger4336, MAMM Miguel Angel, Jeanne Menjoulet, Mark Wordy, Mark Wordy, stanzebla, hardworkinghippy : La Ferme de Sourrou, wbaiv, Tauralbus, Sharon Mollerus, dsearls, denisbin, OregonDOT, Tatiana12, ell brown, puffin11uk, Croydon Clicker, LodestonePhotography, Ronald Douglas Frazier, Tauralbus, basak senova, Vicky Brock, Ivan Radic, dalbera, Melanie-m, La Citta Vita, Ross A Hall, alh1, Allan Henderson, Sharon Mollerus, SJU Undergraduate Admissions, dungodung, Sustainable Economies Law Center, Puddin Tain, alh1, Firebirdflame, Deanster1983 who's mostly off, gbohne, ell brown, grassrootsgroundswell, gertjanvannoord, thetalesend, Tony Armstrong-Sly, Mark Wordy, Hub☺, rcamboim, Sandrine Rouja, Oregon State University, Darlene Roelofsen, danciminera, harum.koh, Baugher Webmaster Services, HerryLawford, Gail Frederick, wallygrom, Neilhooting, Arnie Papp, foilman, Stephi 2006, Mom the Barbarian, Ivan Radic, 雷太, Arty Guerillas, marcoverch, JPC24M, Chik_v, mikecogh, Robert T Bell, LenkinDesign, sugarfrizz, mikecogh, heyexit, grabadonut, JohnSeb, alljengi, Permaculture Association, LennyWorthington, wallygrom, waferboard, wallygrom, STC4blues, gailhampshire, RJJ245, travelling_eidolon, Me in ME, prof.bizzarro, foilman, Maurizio Albissola.com, dejankrsmanovic, André Hofmeister, It's No Game, Sterling College, wallygrom, Permaculture Association, Martin Cooper Ipswich, hardworkinghippy : La Ferme de Sourrou, InvisibleGarden.org, irio.jyske, MeganEHansen, F. D. Richards, John Rusk, conall.., thatredhead4, tedeytan, tawalker, Vicky Brock, Infomastern, Paul and Jill, Starr Environmental, don_macauley, s1ng0, orangeaurochs, John McLinden, karenandbrademerson, wallygrom, Tobyotter, Sustainable Economies Law Center, akhouseproject, chimpwithcan, heystax, Puddin Tain, winecountrymedia, Landscape Design Advisor, Darlene Roelofsen, ell brown, Deanster1983 who's mostly off, Michele Dorsey Walfred, Günter Hentschel, watts_photos, Morgaine, 阿橋花譜 KHQ Flower Guide, Local Food Initiative, tdlucas5000, Ruth and Dave, BulletproofSloth, London Less Travelled, Andrew Stawarz, Michele Dorsey Walfred, midwestlawnandlandscape, Darlene Roelofsen, sybarite48, Pam_Broviak, Gail Frederick, massmatt, Grow It, Catch It, Cook It, D H Wright, chuck b., Maria Eklind, wuestenigel, amandabhslater, timo_w2s, 666isMONEY ☮ ♥ & ☠, Wendell Smith, shixart1985, gailhampshire, mriggen, poppet with a camera, James St. John, liveoncelivewild, urbanfoodie33, wallygrom, onnola, shixart1985, Darien Library, emmacraig1, wuestenigel, laijos, matsuyuki, Monkeystyle3000, anoldent, alh1, mikecogh, HerryLawford, MeganEHansen, Michele Dorsey Walfred, cattan2011, ScotGov Rural, North Charleston, juantiagues, Rosmarie Voegtli, pstenzel71, RaeAllen, Edna Winti, Matt Lavin, S∆M.I.∆M, alh1, Starr Environmental, comedy_nose, Alizarin Krimson, jmlwinder, sebastian.rittau, mikecogh, Scott McLeod, alh1, Mark Wordy, shixart1985, transport131, Nick Saltmarsh, owlhere, Maria Eklind, agulivanov, woodleywonderworks, Darlene Roelofsen, Ivan Radic, Paakkonen Photo, ell brown, Smoobs, liesvanrompaey, stonescape, Darlene Roelofsen, AndreyZharkikh, Larry Lamsa, wallygrom, cazalegg, *_*, Charles Patrick Ewing, kamirao, cricketsblog, Mary Gillham Archive Project, deczak, Doolallyally, RASSIL, Smudge 9000, Loz Flowers, stanzebla, Acabashi, treegrow, jmlwinder, HerryLawford, edenpictures, wlcutler, shaire productions, S John Davey, Doolallyally, Percita, Prof. Mortel, Björn S..., mikecogh, @tc_goatwriter, *_*, Frank.Vassen, Robbie1, foilman, garryknight, EliteBalustradeImages, Derek N Winterburn, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, redirockphotodatabase, alh1, yewchan, Gunnar Ries zwo, hedera.baltica, itmpa, bluefootedbooby, john shortland, Fiberon, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Aaron Volkening, yellow book, M. Martin Vicente, David Paul Ohmer, amandabhslater, Dinesh Valke, jeans_Photos, grongar, arripay, Maria Eklind, Phil Gayton, Anton Rannala, amandabhslater, patrick_standish, Akuppa, cristina.sanvito, Puddin Tain, waferboard, Mark Wordy, Mike Bonitz, Juanedc, Björn S..., Clive Varley, vastateparksstaff, madaise, edenpictures, plentyofants, kitmasterbloke, barnoid, mark.hogan, chuck b., F. D. Richards, Ivan Radic, *rboed*, sustainablejill, Martin Pettitt, Thien Gretchen, Atmovera, mikecogh, Wildroof, tompagenet, jacilluch, wlcutler, stanzebla, La Citta Vita, Rob.Bertholf, Landscape Design Advisor, Aaron Volkening, osiristhe, MarilynJane, wallygrom, spinster, Maria Eklind, hedera.baltica, kewl, Dave_S., Julia Manzerova, Landscape Design Advisor, ActiveSteve, onnola, mikecogh, Ankur Panchbudhe, Phil Gayton, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Tatters ✾, ianpreston, Ruth and Dave, wallygrom, titanium22, T.Kiya, PAUL (Van de Velde) -Fotografie, stanzebla - voyage voyage, yellow book, Aaron Volkening, MeganEHansen, puffin11uk, Maria Eklind, TravelBakerCounty, Acabashi, Keith Laverack, quinet, anro0002, NSPaul, mikecogh, sybarite48, amandabhslater, ell brown, alljengi, wallygrom, LWT Gunnersbury Triangle, the real Kam75, mikecogh, lupisfer, piropiro3, Beverly Pearl, hedera.baltica, Deanster1983 who's mostly off, edenpictures, berriehol, Mick E. Talbot, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, string_bass_dave, danperry.com, Peter Curbishley, sybarite48, alh1, M. Martin Vicente, Amarnath, loutraje, conall.., goforchris, USFWS Headquarters, ianpreston, F. D. Richards, quinet, jmlwinder, carabou, wallygrom, wallygrom, engcon, nicolas.boullosa, wwarby, fringedbenefit, Crinklecrankle.com, Jim Morefield, F. D. Richards, MizGingerSnaps, Lauren Gutierrez, Tim Green aka atoach, daryl_mitchell, wallygrom, yewchan, Green Mountain Girls Farm, Darlene Roelofsen, HerryLawford, treegrow, Kirt Edblom, Eric Kilby, Barbara Walsh Photography, Jocelyn777 Love Europe, CaptainOates, Acabashi, Ninara31, amandabhslater, wickenden, ShebleyCL, sunshinecity, Ivan Radic, Matt Lavin, James St. John, quinet, goforchris, [email protected], cattan2011, Kaibab National Forest Photography, dollarclassics, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, Jocelyn777 Love Europe, Andrew Coombes, cwellsny, JeepersMedia, amandabhslater, wallygrom, alh1, Mark Wordy, Thank You (22 Millions+) views, USDAgov, Acabashi, F. D. Richards, Macleay Grass Man, Alexander C. Kafka, Darlene Roelofsen, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, wahoowins, andres musta, Mary Gillham Archive Project, wallygrom, Russ2009, Permaculture Association, Rennett Stowe, Ruth and Dave, F. D. Richards, Teddy Mafia, texturepalace, puffin11uk, georgegillams, Darlene Roelofsen, crustmania, denisbin, waferboard, denisbin, Audire Silentium, LenkinDesign, akfoto, MeganEHansen, amandabhslater, Ivan Radic, Matt Lavin, frankieleon, redirockphotodatabase, jeremy_norbury, PavingDirect.com, Justin Beckley, wallygrom, Acabashi, 阿橋花譜 KHQ Flower Guide, wallygrom, Acabashi, talaakso, Robert.Pittman, Jeanne Menjoulet, quattroman76, Björn S..., Rushen!, Ivan Radic, sam_churchill, pdinnen, amandabhslater, La Citta Vita, judy dean, Landscape Design Advisor, charcoal soul, jinxmcc, m.borden, Landscape Design Advisor, Andreas März, gliak00, romana klee, masae-photo, Derek N Winterburn, daryl_mitchell, trekkyandy, Local Food Initiative, D.Eickhoff, *_*, BlossomPDX, goosmurf, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, Doolallyally, Jim Morefield, "Besenbinder", Anika Malone, Elsa Blaine, Local Food Initiative, wallygrom, Isaszas, @tc_goatwriter, M. Martin Vicente, watts photos1, harum.koh, platycryptus, hardworkinghippy : La Ferme de Sourrou, NRCS Oregon, Darlene Roelofsen, Ivan Radic, MizGingerSnaps, Me in ME, John Brighenti, adamnsinger, jeremy_norbury, gailhampshire, pdbreen, Torquay Palms, wallygrom, MeganEHansen, jlodder, randihausken, Tony Webster, onnola, Earl Ruby, The National Guard, Bods, amandabhslater, Bennilover, corsi photo, PavingDirect.com, Tobyotter, MeganEHansen, andres musta, Darlene Roelofsen, Tony Webster, Darlene Roelofsen, Mike Bonitz, Aaron Volkening, conall.., Bennilover, mikecogh, marthelelièvre, ell brown, cvtperson, Ruth and Dave, ©aius, Landscape Design Advisor, MICOLO J Thanx, CORGI HomePlan, MizGingerSnaps
  • Home
  • Landscaping
    • Decking
    • Driveways
    • Garden Patios
    • Garden drainage
    • Fencing
    • Turfing
    • Planting
    • Landscape Gardeners Amersham
  • Design
    • Landscaping Ideas
  • Privacy Policy
  • News
  • Contact