How to Choose the Right Landscape Edging for Your Garden

When thinking about the various types of landscape edging, there are other factors that can and should be influential in your decision beyond just the visual. Here are some things to consider when making a selection:

• Climate: If you live in an area that has temperatures that can reach either end of the thermometer, then consider a material like concrete or plastic that can expand and contract to adapt to the fluctuations. Metal in coastal areas may corrode in the salt air.
• Soil Type: Ease of installation is key when thinking about edging, especially if it’s a DIY project. Flexible plastic or metal can go into sandy or loamy soil. Stone and concrete may do better for hard-packed clay soils.
• Maintenance: Picking a material that is easy to repair and maintain can be key in case of damage. Areas that are prone to heavy moisture like rain and snow should use materials that can withstand the elements.
• Design Aesthetic: Landscape edging should blend in with the overall landscape design of the surrounding lawn and neighborhood. Suburban neighborhoods may lean towards brick and stone block, while rural areas may look better with natural materials like stone or wood.
• Local Regulations: Building codes and home owner’s association covenants can impose what can and cannot be used as landscape edging.
  
  While not the final word, the above topics should be a guideline to help make the best selection for lawn and garden edging.
  

Plastic landscape edging is the most economical choice of all edging materials. It is available in rolls of up to 100 feet. Most installation is simple without any digging by securing the edging into the soil with the included landscape spikes. Professional grade edging is a heavier duty resin version that will require you to make a slim trench with a lawn edger for the edging to fit into. The design of the pro-grade version will resist being pulled out and will last for years.

Rolling out a long length of plastic edging might be problematic due to the roll not straightening out right away. Allowing it to warm in the sun can help with the flexibility.

Steel landscape edging is a very sturdy choice for making a barrier between your lawn surfaces. Available in powder-coated strips of various lengths, steel can be shaped or can fit the contours of your design with curved sections and easy to install corners. This edging will hold its shape and stand up to being run over by car tires or riding mowers. Steel edging comes in a variety of colors to blend in with your lawn like green, brown and black. It’s strength and durability make it an extremely popular choice. It does however have a higher than average cost.

If you’re looking for a material that can blend into the landscape, is easy to work with and is also exceptionally durable, then rubber landscape edging is the choice. Made from recycled materials, rubber edging is quite easy to install with the included spikes. Rubber is flexible, which makes it perfect for those areas that require a lot of turns and curves, like around trees or edging for gardens or flower beds. It will also work next to driveways and sidewalks due to its durability. Since the rubber is molding into shape, it can look like brick, stone or scalloped edging. Rubber will also not freeze or crack and has a no dig installation.

Is your lawn or outdoor space more of a natural setting? Wood landscape edging will fit nicely into that style of area. Wood edging is usually made from redwood, cedar or pressure treated wood. All of these can add a naturally rustic look to areas. Redwood and cedar are naturally insect resistant. Installation is simple with flexible sections that have preinstalled spikes or rolls that are secured with metal spikes. Wood will also last longer than plastic if properly maintained.

To add color, texture and contrast to your edging, try using stone, brick, concrete or a mix of the three for your lawn. With its red clay look, brick can make a striking dividing line between grass and garden. Brick is available in a variety of sizes and shapes to make a unique border line. Concrete can be made to look like large natural stones, squares of rounded cobblestones. And natural stones like river rock and pea gravel can add color and texture to your lawn.

Installation of these can take a little more effort than other lawn edging materials. The soil must be removed to enable the brick or concrete stones to be placed securely as a border. For rock or gravel, clearing an area and then laying down lawn fabric to prevent weed growth from happening is advised. Depending upon which edging you choose will determine the cost to purchase and install, but the durability and longevity will make for a quality investment.

Having some of the same design features and characteristics of steel edging, aluminum landscape edging is lighter weight and more flexible to install. It can provide a sleek modern touch to your lawn along with helping control erosion and weeds. It comes in brown, bronze, black and the natural aluminum finish to coordinate with your landscaping materials, and rust, rot or become brittle. Aluminum is more durable than plastic edging with minimal cost upgrade.

For a dramatic and bold look for isolated flower beds and tree rings. Vinyl landscape edging is a wonderful selection. At ten inches in height, it can create a distinct line around undefined areas and enable you to add materials without fear of having them wash away. You can mange all types of materials including rocks, mulch, soil, and bedding for your plants. Installation is simple to do with just a landscape edger. Just cut a line in the soil and insert the vinyl edging to your preferred height. This will create a wall for your materials and a root barrier to prevent grass creep. The high-density vinyl is long lasting and will not rust or fade. It is also very economical to buy and install.