Choosing Lawn Edging

Two types of landscape timbers: 4 x 4 treated lumber and railroad cross-ties.

First, on the practical side, lawn and garden edging:

• Gives you a cleaner mowing and trimming line.
  
  
• Keeps mulch where it belongs.
  
  
• Saves trimming and weeding time.
  
  
• Provides a root barrier to prevent invasive lawn grasses from entering flower beds.
  
  
• Adds value to your landscape (without necessarily spending a lot of money).

From an aesthetic point of view, edging:

• Shows off your flowers and shrubs.
  
  
• Complements and contrasts the house and the remainder of your landscape.
  
  
• Adapts to straight or curved areas with equal ease.

Three types of plastic edging: plastic stone (with spikes), fencing and rolled.

Choose from:

• Wood – Styles range from natural finish to decorative "fence" versions. Landscape timbers and railroad cross-ties are also popular for larger areas.
  
  
• Metal – Gives a commercial look and lasts practically forever.
  
  
• Plastic – Available in rolls or decorative "fence" styles.
  
  
• Stone, brick or concrete - Gives a more formal appearance. Use precast concrete or brick in a sawtooth/zigzag pattern.
  
  



A simple cut with a garden spade creates a clean edge between lawn and mulch bed.

• Living – Use living plants such as mondo grass, Dusty Miller or other seasonal annuals.
  
  
• Natural – With a garden spade, cut a v-shape into the sod.
  

Installing edging can be as simple as cutting a shallow trench or groove into the sod and laying the edging into the cut area. Some edging is set onto or pushed into the ground. Plastic roll and metal edging needs to be secured with stakes.

Good idea:  If the sod must be dug, the ground should be soft but not soaked or frozen.

Maintenance of the edging itself is minimal if it is installed properly. Few things in the lawn can look as bad as poorly trimmed edging. Take the time to keep grass and weeds at bay. Edging tools are available in a wide range of styles. Electric and gas trimmers, as well as hand-operated tools like as spades or roller-style trimmers, help keep edging neat.