A concrete mow strip is a narrow, continuous concrete border installed along garden beds, walkways, or driveways that lets you mow right over the edge without trimming. Most mow strips cost $10 to $20 per linear foot installed in Wisconsin.
Most homeowners assume any landscape edging works the same as a mow strip. It doesn’t. Standard plastic or metal edging sits below mower-blade height, which means you still need a string trimmer for every pass. A true concrete mow strip sits flush with the lawn surface, eliminating that extra step entirely. That single design difference saves hours of yard work every season.
Armor Curbing Co. has installed thousands of linear feet of concrete curbing, including mow strips, across northern Wisconsin and Duluth, MN. We explain their benefits, pricing, and the full installation process below.
What Is a Concrete Mow Strip?
A concrete mow strip is a flat or slightly raised concrete border, typically 4 to 6 inches wide, poured directly along the edge where your lawn meets a garden bed, driveway, fence line, or walkway. Unlike stacked pavers or snap-together plastic, an extruded mow strip is formed as one seamless piece using specialized curbing machinery.
That jointless design means no gaps where weeds could push through and no joints that separate after a few freeze-thaw cycles. The strip sits at lawn height, so your mower wheels roll directly over it. No string trimming. No hand edging required.
Why Homeowners Choose Concrete Mow Strips
Concrete mow strips offer several key advantages, making them a preferred choice for homeowners seeking a low-maintenance landscape.
Significant Time Savings
Homeowners who install a concrete mow strip typically eliminate 20 to 30 minutes of string trimming per mow. Over a full Wisconsin mowing season of roughly 26 weeks, that adds up to more than 10 hours of yard work you skip entirely.
Durability and Landscape Protection
Concrete mow strips also act as a physical barrier between the lawn and mulch beds. Without a solid edge, mulch migrates onto the grass and grass runners creep into the garden. We use reinforcement cable and perform frost-depth trenching as part of our standard curbing installation process, allowing our borders to hold their position through northern Wisconsin’s harsh winters. Homeowners near Duluth, MN deal with some of the region’s deepest freeze-thaw cycles, and concrete mow strips typically outperform alternatives in the area.
Enhanced Curb Appeal
A clean concrete edge sharpens the look of any landscape. Large lots common in Hayward, Rice Lake, and other northern Wisconsin communities benefit from that defined line between lawn and bed visible from the street.
Cost and Installation
The cost of concrete mow strips typically falls between $10 and $20 per linear foot when installed. A 100-linear-foot project, enough to border a front garden bed and a couple of tree rings, runs $1,000 to $2,000 depending on site conditions and pattern selection. Decorative stamped options like cobblestone or flagstone cost more than a smooth finish.
Installation starts with a site evaluation, where the team marks the curbing’s exact placement with spray paint, allowing you to see the layout before any concrete is poured. Proper trenching to frost depth protects the strip from heaving, and control joints cut every two feet manage seasonal cracking. Most residential mow strip projects are finished in a single day.
When comparing costs, factor in lifespan. Plastic edging needs to be replaced every 3 to 5 years in northern climates. A sealed and maintained concrete mow strip can last decades, making it the more economical option when you account for its over 10 years of ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mow directly over a concrete mow strip?
Yes. Concrete mow strips sit flush with your lawn surface so mower wheels roll right over them without catching or causing blade damage. Armor Curbing Co. installs every strip at the correct height relative to the surrounding grade to ensure a smooth, gap-free transition between lawn and bed.
How does a concrete mow strip handle Wisconsin winters?
Mow strips installed with frost-depth trenching and control joints every two feet handle freeze-thaw cycles without significant shifting. Reinforcement cable inside the concrete prevents separation, even during the deep freezes common in Duluth, Ashland, and across northern Wisconsin.
Does a concrete mow strip need maintenance?
Minimal upkeep keeps a mow strip looking sharp for years. Rinse it with a garden hose periodically and apply a UV-resistant sealer every two years to protect against sun damage and de-icing salt. Resealing takes a few hours and significantly extends the concrete’s appearance and durability.
Eliminate String Trimming for Good
A concrete mow strip eliminates trimming time and gives your landscape a permanent, defined border that cheap edging can’t match. In northern Wisconsin, where freeze-thaw cycles punish flimsy materials every spring, poured concrete is the practical long-term investment.
Schedule a free estimate with Armor Curbing Co. today to see exactly how a mow strip fits your property.
