Perhaps you habitually mow every Saturday morning. While that might be enough to make the Homeowner's Association (HOA) happy or keep up with the basic lawn care you should complete, you may take your landscaping to the next level with finished edges and clean borders. However, if you want the best-dressed lawn on the block, it helps to consider the latest edging ideas for around gardens, flower beds or lawns. 

1. Recycled Plastic Edging 

In today's world, recycling in any way you can help the environment. Fortunately, this edging method gives you the best of both worlds — sustainability and style. 

You may find these borders at almost any garden center. Choose to place it on its own or stake it down for extra stability. This border is rather easy to install for the typical DIYer. It just requires some digging, positioning and covering up.

2. Bricks

Bricks and clay brick pavers are rather inexpensive but give your yard a unique look. When using them as a border, dig where you want them and situate them accordingly. If you decide to make them flush with your garden or yard, you may mow over them with the lawn mower without damaging your blade, and you won't need a weed whacker or edger in most cases. 

3. Stones 

Get creative and use either natural, man-made or paving stones as a border. They're relatively easy to install, but you may need professional assistance with the paving stones, especially if you're cementing them in. 

4. Soil or Mulch Edging

This type of edging requires you to do a bit of work to maintain it with an edger. However, it's a natural, clean look and simple to do yourself. 

5. Cedar Wood Edging 

If you purchase cedar, rot-resistant edging, you won't have to worry about rotting due to the weather. You may choose to finish it with a protective coat or stain or leave it natural and let it run its course. Hold this material in place using wooden stakes positioned at equal intervals. This option still needs edging but doesn't require any other maintenance. 

6. Living Garden Edging 

Living garden edging consists of planting low-growing greenery that cascades over the border. This is the most natural-looking option and easiest to maintain. An example is a Japanese Boxwood. 

7. Trench Edging 

This is a highly inexpensive option since you're digging the dirt you already placed. Dig the dirt at the garden's edge slightly deeper than the path or lawn. You can choose to line the trench with rocks or another landscaping material or leave it plain. This requires little maintenance and care. 

Your edging is one detail that can turn a so-so yard up a notch. In some cases, it can reduce your lawn care, and you may even find a cost-efficient method. 

Dog owners find dog urine on their grass a common issue, especially when the dogs aren't trained to urinate in an appropriate place. You can apply many methods to protect your grass from dog urine damage, which can cause unsightly spots on the lawn and kill the grass. Below are five tips to help you stop dog urine from destroying your grass.

1. Use the Right Kind of Deterrents

The first step is to use the right kind of deterrents. Many products on the market claim to stop dogs from urinating on grass, but not all are safe for dogs. Some products contain chemicals that can harm your dog if they ingest them. Look for products made with natural ingredients that are safe for pets.

2. Create a Designated Toilet Area

The best way to protect your grass is to create a designated toilet area for your dog. Do this by fencing in a small section of the yard or using an outdoor kennel. If you live in an apartment, take your dog on regular trips to the park or use a pet-friendly artificial turf.

3. Lawn Repair Treatment

If you have small patches of dead grass, you can try to repair the damage by top dressing the area with compost or topsoil. You can also reseed the area with fresh grass seed. Water the area regularly and keep it free of pet waste until the new grass has a chance to grow. If the damage is more widespread, you may need to replant your entire lawn.

4. Change the Type of Grass or Location if Necessary

If you have a dog that is particularly prone to urinating on your grass, you may want to consider changing the type of grass you have. Some grasses are more resistant to urine than others, and these types may be good options for you:

• Ryegrass
• Seashore paspalum
• St. Augustine
• Kikuyu
• Tall and red fescues
• Kentucky bluegrass
• Buffalo

5. Avoid Chemicals and Spray Water

Don't treat your lawn with chemicals. They can do more harm than good and are unnecessary to get rid of dog urine spots. If you catch your dog urinating on the grass, clean it up immediately. The longer the urine sits, the more damage it will do. Minimize urine damage by saturating the area where your dog urinates. Pour some water on the afflicted area as soon as your dog pees to keep your lawn looking as good as new.