Garden Edging: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Garden edging is one of those things that seems like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in the overall look of your garden. There are a lot of different options out there, so how do you know which one is best for you? In this blog post, we’ll break down the three most popular types of garden edging—wood, stone, and plastic—to help you make an informed decision.
Wood Garden Edging
Wood garden edging is a popular choice because it’s relatively inexpensive and easy to install. You can find wood edging at most home improvement stores. The downside to wood edging is that it doesn’t last as long as some of the other options. It’s also susceptible to rot and insect damage. If you choose wood edging, be sure to buy treated lumber that is rated for outdoor use.
Stone Garden Edging
Stone garden edging is a more permanent solution than wood, but it’s also more expensive. Stone edging can give your garden a classic look that will last for years. The downside to stone edging is that it can be difficult to install, and it’s not as forgiving as some of the other options if you make a mistake.
Plastic Garden Edging
Plastic garden edging is the least expensive option, and it’s also the easiest to install. You can find plastic garden edging at most home improvement stores. The downside to plastic edging is that it doesn’t have the same aesthetic appeal as wood or stone. Additionally, plastic edging can be damaged by UV rays from the sun, so it won’t last as long as some of the other options.
There are a lot of different types of garden edging available on the market today. Wood, stone, and plastic are three of the most popular options. Each type has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. When choosing garden edging for your home, be sure to consider your budget, installation ease, and desired aesthetic before making a final decision.
What type of garden edging is best? Aluminum or steel edging is great for straight-line areas; it won’t rust, rot or become brittle.
What is the cheapest way to do a border edging?
Even though these budget garden edging ideas are low in costs, they’re high in style points.
- Surround a pond with sticks.
- Add a nautical twist for cheap with rope edging.
- Line the edges of flower beds with reclaimed materials.
- Recycle old bottles to border pathways.
- Weave your own hazel edge.
What is the easiest landscape edging? No-dig edging is the easiest to install, since all you typically have to do is pound stakes into the ground. On the other end of the spectrum, stone or brick edging will require using mud mortar and sometimes even cutting the stone with an angle grinder to make the joints fit together.
What is the best lawn edging to buy?
Best Landscape Edging
- Best Overall. Dimex Landscape Edging Kit EasyFlex.
- Best Value. Landscape Edging Kit Amazon Basics.
- Best Premium Pick. Steel Landscape Edging (5-Pack) EverEdge.
- Best Faux Stone. Plastic Flex- Wall Landscape Edging Garden Elements.
- Best Hardwood Edging.
- Extra Deep Edging.
- Best for Trees.
- Best Paver Edging.
What type of garden edging is best? – Additional Questions
What do professional landscapers use for edging?
How do you get a neat border?
What should I Border my lawn with?
Poured concrete creates a very permanent, definitive border around a garden. It allows you to add a crisp, neat edge. The concrete also serves as a nice barrier between the lawn and the garden soil. You’ll want to keep it low to the ground—no more than one inch above grade.
What color edging should I use?
The color of the edging has a big impact on the overall perception of your garden. Use landscape edging in a color that either complements or clearly contrasts with the surrounding foliage and flowers. In casual settings, link the edging to the garden bed by using plants of a similar color or tone.
How do you keep grass from growing over edging?
Add an extra physical barrier between your lawn and edging by cutting a narrow trench in front of the edging. Maintaining a soil-free space between the lawn and the flower beds prevents grass roots from spreading through the soil and underneath the edging.
How do I edge my lawn next to paving?
How can I make my garden borders look good?
How do I separate my garden from grass?
Should lawn be higher or lower than path?
A lawn should be one to two inches higher than a driveway, which means the soil should be between 0.5 to 1.5 inches below the asphalt. The grass needs to be about 2.5 inches long, letting you mow the lawn without the blades of the mower hitting the edge of the driveway.
Should pavers be even with grass?
The lawn should be lower than the patio, but not by too much. If there is too much of a distance between the patio and the lawn, it can become a tripping hazard. The proper distance is between a half-inch and 1.5 inches.
Should pavers be flush with grass?
Summary: Should A Patio Be Flush With The Grass
And then there’s water and drainage to consider. Your patio surface should be flush with the grass but it varies depending on how you cut your lawn. Ideally I build my patios 1/2″ to 1 1/2″ above grade.
Should pavers be flush with ground?
You may need to transfer soil or add some sand to create a slope. For the pavers to be flush with ground-level, dig about 5 inches down to allow for 4 inches of base material, plus 1 inch of sand bedding, plus the 1-inch thickness of the pavers.
Can you lay pavers on just sand?
Laying pavers on sand base follows the same steps as laying them on soil base, but you’ll be adding a layer of coarse sand, road base, or polymeric sand first. Rake the sand to even it out and use a plate compactor to make your sand base solid so you have a firm, stable base.
What to put down before laying pavers?
Before laying the pavers, a layer of bedding sand is placed over the compacted base material. This layer provides a bed into which the pavers are set. The sand bedding also helps to protect the sand joints from being eroded away. Lay down one inch diameter PVC pipe across the bass material.
Do and don’ts of paver installation?
- 1 – DO map out your project area.
- 2 – DON’T try to ‘guesstimate’
- 3- DO work with a reputable supplier.
- 4- DON’T cut corners.
- 5 – DO compact base layers at 3” intervals.
- 6 – DON’T compact bedding sand.
- 7 – DO use precision when laying and spacing your pavers.
- 8 – DON’T hammer pavers together.
Do I need gravel under pavers?
The principle to remember is this: your pavers are only as stable as the base they’re sitting on. That’s why you’ll need to lay a substantial gravel base on top of your dirt. Use road base gravel so that you get the right mix of fine and coarse aggregates for the best compaction.
Do you need sand under pavers?
Do I need sand under pavers? Installing driveway or patio pavers without sand is not a good idea because the sand base serves as the main stabilizing material for your pavers. Without sand, the pavers are likely to shift and sink over time, resulting in an uneven and messy surface.