How To Frame Your Lawn

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Written By: Mark Marino, a Massachusetts Core Applicator License holder
and owner/operator of Lawn Phix,

No AI pledge. Authored and reviewed by Mark, not robots. Learn more.

Updated on

elizabeth-explores

Ready to learn something new about lawn care?

It’s called framing!

So what is framing a lawn? Let’s take a look.

What is Framing the Lawn?

Look at this piece of art…

Art copy 1

Gorgeous right?

Well, it’s missing something…

How about this!

Art

Look at it now!

Well, the picture may not do it justice, but a piece of artwork, when framed properly, greatly improves the piece.

What does this have to do with lawn care?

Well, both your lawn and landscape have edges, which act as a frame around them.

What Makes The Frame of you Landscape?

There are a number of things that make up the border or edge of your property. The framing of your landscape includes all things which define the borders of your lawn.

The Frame of your lawn includes:

  • The edges of the lawn
  • Landscape bed borders (natural and artificial)
  • Fences
  • Woods
  • And hedges

Any combination of the above elements establishes the “frame” of your landscape.

“Like the frame of the painting above, this frame defines the artwork which is your lawn. “

elizabeth explores

Hard and Soft Borders

The frame of your lawn is made up of two types of edges or borders:

Hard Borders:

The hard borders of your lawn are made up of any “hard” structure. Typically a hard border is completely man-made and can be defined as linear or sharp.

Some examples of hard borders are:

  • Walkways
  • Driveways
  • Curbs
  • Streets
  • Landscape edging stone, plastic, etc.
  • Fences
  • Maintained hedges
  • Houses and Sheds

Maintaining Hard Borders

Hard borders must be maintained in order to frame your lawn properly. Because these borders are so defined when they are overgrown or unkempt. It shows. So maintenance of these borders is a must.

Maintenance of hard borders includes:

  • Weed Eating
  • Edging
  • Weed killer
  • Pruning and Trimming

Soft Borders:

Soft borders are less defined in both definition and practice. Soft borders are often natural edges, and as such have a more natural or curvy shape.

Some examples of soft borders:

  • Wood lines
  • Natural hedges
  • Perennial plants and flowers
  • The lawn between two yards

Maintaining Soft Borders

Soft borders are typically natural, so they require “natural” care. As natural borders are not defined, their upkeep is somewhat subjective. A natural edge can be a bit overgrown, and still, look good.

Maintenance of soft borders includes:

  • Weeding
  • Pruning
  • Cutting back Trees
  • Weed Eating
DSC08504

Two Types of Borders Which Frame Your Lawn

I know, it seems like a lot. But, there are hard and soft borders, but there is also an inner and outer frame. Just like a painting has an outside frame, and a smaller frame inside also known as matting.

Unlike a painting that has 4 straight outer borders, a landscape is more complicated. The frames of your landscape are often not 4 parallel straight lines, especially when it comes to the inner frame or the matting of your lawn.

The Outer Frame

The outer frame of your lawn is made up of the outermost sides of your property. This could be the road, a fence, woods, or an imaginary line between two properties.

The Inner Frame

The inner frame or matting of your lawn is made up of any inner borders. The most common inner borders are your home, sheds, landscape beds, and inner walkways.

Why is the Frame of your Lawn Important?

The concept of the frame of your lawn is important for understanding what it is that makes a landscape stunning.

The difference between a mediocre lawn, and an awesome lawn is in the framing.

If you feel that you have done everything you can to your landscape and it still isn’t up to par, step back and look at the framing. Consider whether or not your hard borders are being properly maintained, or what types of borders would help to define and improve your landscape.

What is The Bottom Line?

The framing of a lawn is a new concept that can be used to change your perspective on your landscape. Understanding the framing of your lawn helps you take a step back and take in your landscape as a whole.

In my experience, it is just something you learn after a decade of thinking about lawns and landscapes. Yet I have never seen it written out in this way. In many ways, the framing of the lawn is nothing new. It has always existed. But after many years of thinking about the matter, the words for it just kind of came to fruition.

I hope that you have learned how to improve your landscape with this new concept! If you want to improve your landscape, be sure to follow Lawn Phix, as we discuss all things lawn care.

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Author's Note: this piece has been updated for accuracy since its first publication on

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Author: Mark Marino
My name is Mark Marino, and I am the founder, owner, and operator of Lawn Phix. With a passion for lawn care and turf nutrition for over a decade, I've dedicated countless hours to correcting soil and perfecting lawns. Today, my expertise, backed by formal courses at UMass Extension Pesticide Education, allows me to offer top-tier lawn care services and advice. I am a fully licensed and insured lawn care applicator in Massachusetts, specializing in comprehensive turf nutrition, weed control, and lawn pest control. My license number is AL-0053865. Contact me at [email protected] or +1 (508) 500-8402.