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Whether youre designing a new garden or want to boost your existing gardens aesthetic, incorporating edging is a way to highlight the garden area and add more personality. Creating borders or garden edging establishes a defined space and gives your garden a more complete look. Use edging to make the space stand out or to create a garden bed for your pollinator garden, spring bulbs, fall-blooming flowers, winter blooms, and vegetable garden. With so many things to consider when planning or planting a garden, such as sunlight, USDA hardiness zones and choosing native plants, its easy for edging to be overlooked.
Edging helps define a space, enhances the aesthetic, and can reduce soil erosion and water runoff. Plus, creating borders in the landscape makes it easier to keep areas organized and prevent some plants from spreading and encroaching to other spaces by creating a natural or physical barrier. Installing edging can protect your plants, such as perennials and annuals by making a distinction from where one area ends and another begins. This helps avoid plants being clipped by garden tools or trimmed by lawnmowers when its time for yard maintenance.
There is an array of edging materials to choose from, including metal, plastic, terracotta, wood, and plants or shrubs. Choosing the type of edging is easier once you know your preferred garden style. For example, if you like the look of cottage gardens youll likely want a natural border so opt to use mixed plantings, shrubs, wood or stone as edging while a metal variety may be preferred for low-maintenance gardens. Before you jump in, understand that each type of edging has different costs, and requires a different skill set, tools, and amount of time to install. Some edging is more straightforward than others so plan accordingly and allow sufficient days or weeks to ensure successful completion.
Installing a short concrete wall edge can provide a stylish yet classic look. This garden edging idea will require professionals for the installation rather than a weekend DIY project. This type of edging is best for those wanting a more permanent landscape design.Read More: 20 Fast-Growing Shrubs for Backyard Privacy
Garden bed edging is an easy way to upgrade your outdoor space while adding curb appeal to your landscaping. Defined borders not only look polished but also serve practical purposes like containing mulch and preventing grass encroachment. With so many edging options, from rocks to pavers to plants, you can get creative and choose materials that match your gardening style. Read on for tips to add stylish and budget-friendly edging to your flowerbeds, trees, pathways and more using DIY methods.
Why Add Edging to Your Garden?
Edging creates separation between your lawn, garden beds and hardscapes, providing visual interest while helping each area look tidy and intentional. Here are some key benefits
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Define the Space – Edging distinguishes where the lawn ends and the planting bed begins. This gives your landscaping an orderly, polished look.
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Contain Materials – Borders help keep mulch, gravel and soil in place, preventing it from spilling onto the grass or path.
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Protect Plants – Edging creates a barrier that shields plants from damage caused by weed whackers and lawn mower decks.
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Limit Encroachment – Borders stop grass and weeds from creeping into garden beds, reducing maintenance.
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Enhance Curb Appeal – Edging lends style and character that immediately improves the aesthetic of your yard.
Inexpensive DIY Edging Ideas
You don’t have to break the bank to edge your beds. Use materials you have on hand or source budget-friendly supplies for these easy DIY edging projects:
1. Stacked Stones
For an organic look, border beds with stones of varying sizes and shapes. This versatile material blends into natural, cottage and eclectic gardens.
2. Weathered Wood
Give your landscaping a rustic touch by using old wood planks or logs as edging. Try weathered fence pickets for straight lines or irregular pieces for curves.
3. Bricks
Create crisp, clean lines with classic brick borders. Use full bricks or broken pieces mortared together for stability. This material pairs well with pavers.
4. Glass Bottles
Upcycle empty bottles by burying them upside down along beds and paths. Choose clear, colored or patterned glass to complement your style.
5. Aluminum Flashing
Flexibility makes aluminum flashing easy to bend into shapes. For lasting results, sink the metal several inches into the ground.
6. Vine Trimmings
Twigs pruned from vines like grape or kiwi create whimsical living borders that take root. They’ll last until the vines decompose.
7. Herbaceous Plants
Let plants like thyme, lavender and maiden grass act as shapely borders that evolve as they grow. Shear annually to maintain size.
8. Recycled Rubber
Flexible rubber borders snap together easily. Look for commercial kits or DIY no-dig options secured with spikes.
Design Tips for Standout Edging
Follow these guidelines to select and install edging that complements your garden style:
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Match materials and color palette to your landscaping. For instance, Mediterranean gardens look great with terracotta edging.
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Soften hard edges by allowing plants to drape over borders. Sweet alyssum and creeping phlox work well.
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Use thicker edging around trees and in high-traffic zones. Thin materials can easily get damaged or shifted.
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Curved borders encourage movement through landscape beds. Straight lines and right angles convey formality.
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Pair edging with paths, patios and other hardscapes to seamlessly connect design elements.
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Change material, height and shape of edging across different beds for visual interest.
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Ensure proper drainage when digging trenches for borders. Add gravel or sand before inserting edging.
Long-Lasting Hardscape Edging Options
For permanent garden borders, hard building materials withstand weather fluctuation without much deterioration:
Brick
This classic material has remained popular for centuries thanks to durability, accessibility and affordability. Use full or half bricks either vertically or horizontally.
Stone
Natural stone like limestone and granite brings elegance while blending into naturalistic designs. Flagstone, pebbles, cobblestones and boulders provide textural appeal.
Concrete
Poured concrete offers customizable shapes and heights perfect for separating distinct zones. Hire a contractor for proper installation of this permanent edging.
Metal
Aluminum, steel and galvanized metal withstand the elements while creating clean lines. Look for commercial flex-to-fit options that easily bend.
Timber
Choose naturally rot-resistant woods like cedar or redwood. You can also opt for treated lumber. Over time, untreated wood will decompose.
Key Steps for Installing DIY Edging
Follow this simple process to edge beds like a pro:
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Decide on location and layout. Mark shapes with a hose or flour.
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Dig a 4-6 inch deep trench removing grass and weeds. Add gravel for drainage.
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Place edging material in trench, leaving 50% above ground. For hardscape edging, use stakes to stabilize.
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Backfill around edging with soil, packing tightly. Optional: Caulk cracks with sand or mortar.
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Allow grass to regrow up to border. Plant cascading flowers or ground cover to soften edges.
Maintaining Your Garden Edging
Here are some tips to keep borders looking fresh:
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Routinely clean out debris, weeds and grass with a trowel or vise grips.
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Redefine edges using a half-moon edger or sharpened shovel.
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Power wash stone, concrete and masonry edging when it appears dirty, grimy or moldy.
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Reposition any shifted materials and replace broken or decomposing edging as needed.
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For living edging, prune plants after flowering to encourage thick growth and maintain size.
Get Creative with DIY Garden Bed Edging
There are so many ways to edge your gardens, trees, paths and lawns using natural materials, hardscapes and plants. Experiment with different looks by varying edging height, thickness, color and configuration across your property. Curves, zigzags and geometric patterns add artistic flair. Combining two or more edging types also creates visual interest. With proper installation and occasional maintenance, your DIY edging will upgrade the aesthetic so you can enjoy picture-perfect landscape beds for years to come.
Stone and Gravel Edging
Stone and gravel edging is a clever combination of natural materials and can be created with or without a roll of plastic edging. Much like installing gravel edging, this method requires digging a trench (about four inches deep) around the desired area. You can opt to insert plastic edging cut to the length of the space. Next, fill the trench with gravel and spread by hand or with a rake to evenly distribute the mixture. Complete the project by adding large stones across the gravel. Read More: 25 Full-Sun Perennials for Your GardenAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
Grass and Shrub Edging
Create a living border with your grasses and flowering bushes for a lively edge. Play with leaf and grass blade hues for beauty year-round and mix and match bloom times for a more colorful display.Read More: 25 Best Flowering Shrubs to Make Your Landscape SingAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
Building a brick wall for edging adds height and depth to the space and keeps your plants contained. Figure out how tall you want the brick wall and how long to determine how many bricks youll need.Read More: Dress Up Your Outdoor Spaces with These Container Garden Ideas
Scalloped terra-cotta edging is ideal for creating a pathway, or defining a flowerbed or garden bed. This option is straightforward to install–just make sure to measure how much you need before purchasing.Read More: 30 Best Perennial Plants for Year After Year of BeautyAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
If you want a more natural look, grow your favorite plants and bushes as a mixed planting border. Experiment with height and style and different-colored leaves for vibrant and lively edging.Read More: Got a Shady Spot? Fill It with One of These Shade-Loving Plants
Plastic isn’t glamorous, but it is inexpensive and lasts for many years. It comes in long rolls and requires you to dig a trench in which to sink the edge. ( .)
The rolls can be unwieldy to handle, so enlist a helper for easier installation.
Read More: How to Grow and Care for Your Polka Dot PlantAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
If you want to keep your project costs lean, try using gravel to create edging in your garden.
Settle on the area you want to install edging. Next, dig a trench thats at least four inches deep. Line the trench with a weed prevention barrier; fixing it in place with peg. Fill the trench with gravel and then rake to evenly distribute. Read More: 20 Best Flowering Shrubs for Every Garden
This eco-friendly garden edging idea is a great option for recycling glass bottles.
Simply create the border by inserting bottles upside down in the soil. Keep it simple or play with designs in the soil to create a unique pattern to suit your personal tastes.
Read More: 11 Ways to Use Wine Bottles In Your GardenAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
If you have a pretty tree in the yard that needs pop of color, consider adding a raised-garden bed. Installing a garden bed with an array of colorful flowers and edging around the tree will give the area an instant upgrade!
This involves a lot of work so you may want to contact a landscaper to help plan and execute this project. Read More: 13 Best Privacy Trees for Your Backyard
A few companies now make recycled rubber edging, such as this .
Its secured with pegs you simply tap into place. It’s nearly indestructible and is designed so that mowers can get right up to it, eliminating the need for the dreaded trimmer. Read More: Our Favorite Lawn MowersAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
This method of garden edging can be labor intensive to install. For a successful installation each section of will need to be straight so site prep is very important.
If you want a more curved edge, youll need to source individual pillars, and it will take even longer to install. Use a mallet to secure each pillar or section in place.
Read More: 11 Types of Dogwood Trees and Shrubs for Any Yard
easy diy No Dig Border *2020 UPDATE*
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to edge your garden?
Bamboo Border – Plastic or rubber edging materials are the cheapest ways to edge your garden. What type of edging is best to keep mulch in place?Nov 8, 2024
How do you make a simple garden edging?
It’s easy. Just take a flat-edged shovel and dig straight down 3 inches along the outer edge of the lawn. Then dig a second slice that’s at a 45-degree in the direction of the border or bed. So you’ll end up with a trench that’s straight downward on the lawn side and angled up to the border. Remove the extra soil.
What is the easiest garden edging to install?
Eucalyptus Wood Border Edging
It’s usually very easy to install because it’s typically hammered in with a rubber mallet. It will last for several years. You can find some online here.
What is the cheapest way to fill a garden border?
Fill gaps with speedy annuals
Growing annuals from seed and having them on standby to fill gaps in your border is an easy way to boost colour in your garden without overspending on expensive perennials. For one packet of cosmos seed, you’ll get months of flowers.