Have you ever pushed boundaries? How about pushing the boundaries of your garden? You can do just that with garden edging.
Edging creates a border around your landscape plants, clearly defining sections to create your best lawn. From classic options like brick, pavers, and stone to modern materials like metal, concrete, and plastic discover 11 lawn edging ideas to transform your landscape and keep your crawling plants in check plus information on how to DIY install your own.
Why should you install garden edging?
If you want an inexpensive and relatively easy DIY project with a big aesthetic payoff, look no further than garden edging. This simple garden idea serves multiple purposes. Landscape edging defines borders and keeps grass, weeds, and plants from spreading into unwanted areas.
Garden edging is also versatile, allowing you to highlight specific features of your landscape. It simplifies your landscape maintenance and can even prevent erosion on slopes. Most importantly, landscape edging increases your home’s curb appeal, which positively affects your property value.
Lawn edging can be simple and modern or ornate and traditional for a statement. There are also plenty of sources of free garden edging out there, too.
Types of garden edging
1. Metal edging
Metal edging is durable, low-maintenance, and paintable. Available in options like aluminum, steel, and iron, this material provides a modern landscape design for contemporary homes. Metal edging is easy to install and customizable. You can shape the malleable material easily to create straight lines or curves and many no-dig options are available.
Aluminum edging is lightweight and rust resistant, making it a great choice for coastal properties. On the other hand, steel and iron are heavier but well-suited to areas that might experience occasional traffic like driveways.
2. Brick edging
Brick edging is durable with a timeless and classic appearance that complements most landscapes. It is available in a range of colors and styles and is relatively customizable to create an organic feel. Once you install brick, the upkeep is minimal.
This budget-friendly garden edging is versatile. Use it along pathways, frame raised beds, or add height to create visual landscape layers. Brick is also DIY-friendly, though it requires more patience to install to maintain even lines.
Pro landscaping idea: Source recycled brick for your home improvement project and go green while beautifying your landscape.
3. Rubber edging
Available as long rolls or individual panels, rubber edging is a low-cost, DIY option. It doesn’t typically require digging, but it isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing choice available. Rubber edging is usually available in dark brown and black and comes in a couple of thicknesses and scalloped options, affecting the overall cost.
Rubber edging comprises recycled rubber materials making it an eco-friendly and sustainable option. It is low-maintenance and softer than metal, brick, or stone, making it ideal for yards where children play. Many homeowners install rubber edging along fence lines to close gaps or as flower bed edging.
4. Paver edging
Pavers are another durable garden edging option. However, the hardscaping material is more expensive and labor-intensive to install. It offers a classic aesthetic with a more robust and noticeable appearance in your beautiful garden. Pavers also increase your home’s curb appeal and property value.
These substantial stones create well-defined borders and sharp edges. While they are typically low-maintenance, they do require periodic assessments to check for shifting stones or blocks. Like brick, pavers are versatile and work well for landscape pathways, patios, retaining walls, and more.
5. Plastic edging
Plastic edging has most of the same qualities as rubber garden edging. It is a popular DIY and budget-friendly option and also offers versatility. It is lightweight, simplifying installation, and flexible to adapt to curves and angles.
This cheap option is low-maintenance and resistant to corrosion, though it will become brittle over time with freeze-thaw cycles. Plastic garden edging is recyclable and makes a great choice for homeowners living a sustainable lifestyle.
6. Stone edging
Want a natural lawn edging idea? Look no further than stone edging to enhance your garden landscaping. This edging material is available in a variety of natural stone types including, granite, limestone, sandstone, flagstone, or even river rocks for a natural look.
Stone edging is timeless, durable, and customizable. It is also one of the most expensive options. However, it more than makes up for its cost through longevity, increased property value, and low maintenance needs. Stone edging adapts to your landscape’s aesthetics, whether you prefer clean lines or organic, rustic shapes.
7. Wood edging
Wood garden edging is incredibly versatile. It is stainable, paintable, and available in a variety of shapes. It often comprises pressure-treated wood or landscape timber. Wood offers a rustic appearance for your landscape and is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option.
Wood edging is easy to DIY install. Install small pieces side-by-side, lay log pieces along a straight line, or build a rectangular garden bed to hold mulch and perennials.
8. Concrete edging
Available in precast concrete and poured concrete, this garden edging idea will last a lifetime. It is a durable and resilient option that accommodates various garden design ideas. Concrete edging is low-maintenance and fairly cost-effective.
While this durable option is heavy, it is still DIY-friendly. Concrete edging also serves many functional purposes. Craft seating, retain soil or mulch in garden beds, or create dimensions with varying heights. Concrete is also a great material for patios or landscape walkways. A professionally installed concrete patio costs an average of $2,925.
9. Living border edging
If you have a green thumb or a cottage-style landscape aesthetic, consider opting for a living border to define your garden sections. Like a living fence, living borders use plants or groundcovers to separate garden areas.
Living borders are eco-friendly, customizable, and seasonal. They attract beneficial pollinators to your landscape, increasing biodiversity and many varieties are drought-tolerant or native. Common living border plants include:
- Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)
- Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
- Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
- Sedum (Sedum spp.)
- Yarrow (Achillea spp.)
10. Landscape fabric garden edging
Landscape fabric, also known as weed mat, is probably not the first material that comes to mind when you think about garden edging. However, this weed barrier and soil stabilizer can also serve as a tidy form of landscape edging, especially in garden beds.
Landscape fabric greatly reduces weeding in flower beds and creates well-defined edges and sections. It also helps retain soil moisture in flower gardens, promoting healthy growth. Furthermore, landscape fabric provides erosion control on sloped terrain.
Pro landscaping idea: It is important to secure landscape fabric. Cover it with a layer of soil, mulch, or decorative stones to improve its functionality and enhance aesthetics.
11. Decorative fence garden edging
Short decorative fence pieces are available at most home improvement stores for landscape edging. It creates defined areas like regular fencing, without blocking site lines or creating privacy. These fence pieces are typically 4 to 8 inches tall and available in a variety of materials, colors, and shapes.
Decorative fences create neat borders, adding elegance to your garden space. It is versatile and low-maintenance and offers plant support for climbing or trailing groundcovers.
How to DIY install lawn edging
Installing lawn edging varies by project. No-dig options are the cheapest and easiest to install, but they don’t offer much in the way of aesthetic appeal. No-dig edging typically requires a rubber mallet to pound sections into the ground.
While installation varies, there are a few common steps to follow and some tools that will help you get the job done:
Tools you will need
- Landscape edging
- Shovel
- Spade
- Level
- Hammer or rubber mallet
- Gardening gloves
5 steps to install lawn edging
Step 1: Use a shovel or spade to dig a trench, approximately 3 to 6 inches deep. Aim to dig your trench slightly wider than your landscape edging material.
Step 2: Place your lawn edging into the trench, aligning it with your layout.
Step 3: Tap your edging pieces gently with a hammer or rubber mallet until it is secure. Use your level to ensure even heights.
Step 4: Fill the trench with soil, pressing firmly along the edges of your new garden edging. Tamp down the soil to compact it with your trowel.
Step 5: Add mulch or decorative stone to your garden beds or landscape areas to give your new garden edging a finished look.
FAQ about lawn edging
How do I maintain my straight garden edges?
Without landscape edging, maintaining straight garden edges can be time-consuming. Use a half-moon edger tool or the edger assembly for your weed whacker. If you have garden edging, maintaining your straight edges is easy. Hand-pull any weeds that pop up and refresh your mulch or top dressing periodically to maintain a fresh appearance. Spray your edging annually with your garden hose to remove dirt and debris.
How do I mow around garden edging?
Always point the discharge chute on your lawn mower away from decks, patios, and garden beds when you are mowing. This reduces your landscape maintenance and protects your vulnerable plants. Second, always use a string trimmer or edger along delicate landscape areas like deck and fence edges, walkways, and planting beds.
What are the best front yard landscape edging options?
Amp up your curb appeal by matching your landscape edging to your home’s appearance. Metal, stone, brick, and wood are all great options for front yards and increase curb appeal and property value.
Professional installation
No matter what type of edging you choose, installing garden borders is labor-intensive and requires a lot of patience to create level and straight lines. If you have an uneven landscape, amorphous areas, or just don’t have the time or energy for a DIY install, let Lawn Love connect you with a professional landscaper who can help you define and separate your landscape, amp up your curb appeal, and increase your property value.
Main Photo Credit: beachboy | Canva Pro | License