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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
Gardens are a place of beauty, growth and creativity. A key element in designing an attractive garden is defining the borders and beds with edging. Not only does edging look great, it also serves important practical functions. Wooden edging is a timeless choice that brings warmth, texture and versatility to garden design.
The Benefits of Using Wood for Garden Edging
Wood has been used in gardens for centuries and remains a popular choice today. Here are some of the reasons wood is an ideal edging material:
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Natural beauty: Wood has an organic, natural look that enhances any garden style. The rich grains and warm tones add aesthetic appeal.
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Versatility Wood comes in many types, sizes and shapes You can find straight boards, half-rounds, scalloped boards and more to fit your needs
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Customization: Wooden edging can be easily cut, shaped and painted to achieve your desired look. Get creative with curves, patterns and colors.
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Durability Quality wood edging properly treated and maintained, can last for many years in the garden. Cedar and redwood have natural rot resistance.
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Affordability: Wood is a budget-friendly choice compared to stone, metal or plastic edging. You can DIY your wood edging easily.
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Easy installation: Lightweight boards are simple to layout and secure. No special tools or masonry skills required!
Key Functions of Garden Edging
Installing edging in your garden beds and borders provides both form and function:
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Define spaces: Edging visually separates distinct areas like flower beds, planting areas, paths and lawns.
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Retain soil Edging keeps soil, mulch and gravel securely in place and prevents it from washing away
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Block weeds: Edging blocks underground weed growth and keeps unwanted plants out of planting beds.
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Protect plants: Edging creates a barrier that prevents lawn grass and invasive roots from taking over garden spaces.
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Provide support: Sturdy edging gives plants and borders an anchoring foundation at the edges.
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Create patterns: Alternating shapes, sizes and materials when edging beds makes interesting designs.
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Guide traffic: Edging clearly defines where to walk and not walk, preventing trampled plants.
Choosing the Best Wood for Garden Edging
When selecting wood edging, consider climate, budget, design and how long you want it to last.
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Cedar: Naturally resistant to rot, insects and weather. Rich color and texture. More expensive but long-lasting.
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Redwood: Also naturally durable and resistant to decay. Beautiful red tones. Can be costly.
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Pine: Affordable softwood. Must be treated for outdoor use. Stains well. Lower durability.
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Landscape timbers: Sturdy, thick recycled wood. Economical. Use for retaining walls and bold edging.
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Composite: Blend of wood fibers and plastic. No rotting.Stable in all weather. Many color and shape options.
Styles and Shapes of Wood Garden Edging
Wood edging comes in many different sizes, shapes and patterns. Consider your garden layout, plants and preferences when selecting edging.
Straight boards:
- Simplest edging style
- Versatile for straight lines or cutting curves
- Many widths and lengths available
Scalloped/wavy boards:
- Add whimsical shapes to beds
- Fun for cottage gardens
- Make sweeping curves and patterns
Half-round edging:
- Organic look reminiscent of logs or branches
- Versatile for straight lines or curves
- Different heights create terraced levels
Landscape timbers:
- Substantial edging for retaining soil in raised beds
- Height provides back support for plants
- Use multiple layers for height
Formal garden edging:
- Precision-cut kits in brick, scallop and other patterns
- Elaborate look for intricate garden shapes
- Treated for longevity outside
Installing Wooden Garden Edging
With a little planning and some simple techniques, it’s easy to install wood edging to give your garden definition and structure:
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Mark the shape with a hose, paint or flour.
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Dig a trench 3-4 inches deep. Level and compact the soil.
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Set edging pieces into trench, staking temporarily. Join pieces with outdoor-rated wood glue and nails/screws.
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Backfill outside of edging with soil. Pack soil firmly around edging, sloping away slightly.
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Drill pilot holes to avoid splitting, then anchor edging to ground with landscape spikes every few feet.
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Fill inside of edging with fertile soil. Plant and mulch!
Pro tip: Seal all wood edges with outdoor sealant before installation. This prevents moisture damage. Re-apply sealant every 2-3 years.
Maintaining Your Wood Edging
A few simple maintenance steps will keep your wood edging looking fresh:
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Inspect regularly for signs of wear, looseness or rotting wood. Repair as needed.
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Re-anchor loose edging. Check for underground voids where soil has eroded.
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Pull weeds and grass growing over edging. Keep distinct border.
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Reapply protective sealant every few years, especially end grains.
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Lightly sand and re-stain painted edging when it fades or weathers.
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Replace severely damaged pieces. Most wood edging lasts 5-10 years with proper care.
Fantastic Wood Edging Ideas
Wood offers limitless possibilities for edging garden beds, pathways, patios and other spaces:
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Border a formal knot garden with perpendicular pine boards in a lattice pattern.
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Make a mounded vegetable bed with rustic half-log edging in a raised, freeform shape.
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Edge a curved perennial border with gently rolling, painted cedar boards in soft blue-green.
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Circle a focal point tree or large planter with ring of natural cedar half-rounds.
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Outline a stone meditation patio with contrasting mod black composite edging.
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Terrace a sloped flower bed with ledges of staggered landscape timbers planted with cascading blooms.
Let your imagination run free! Wood’s natural beauty and versatility make it an ideal edging material for all garden designs. Properly installed and cared for, wood edging will make your landscape beds a joy for years to come. Start planning your perfect garden edging project today.
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.
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DIY Garden Bed Edging anybody can do
What is a wood garden edging?
A wood garden edging is a popular landscape feature that can be used for outlining a flower bed, paths, and walkways and to define other areas in the yard. Besides adding great visual appeal, it can also help keep lawns or grass cuttings from creeping into beds, keep new plantings within the correct boundaries, and adds stability to your garden.
Can you use wood edging on a garden bed?
Using wood edging, you can add beauty and appeal to the edges of your garden beds. It’s easy to do and affordable, and you can customize it with different colors and types of wood. Pallet edging is the easiest, most inexpensive way to create a garden wall. It only takes a few hours and requires no special tools or skills.
What are the best edging plans for a garden?
One of the more attractive wood edging plans is also one of the easiest to install. With 4×4 wood pieces as a base, this simple garden bed edging adds wood decking pieces to provide your garden with texture, symmetry, and class. You get a low-rising board-and-batten feature and an appealing overhang for a finished look. 3.
How to make a garden edging?
The trick is finding suitable wood pieces that are sufficiently long, wide, and straight to make a uniform wall. If you have many trees at your disposal, it may only take a chainsaw, some wooden stakes, and a drill to complete this live garden edge. 7. Pallet Wood Garden Edging by UpcycledStuff
What is a landscape timber edging?
Landscaping with timbers is an easy way to create an attractive, natural-looking frame for a flower border or perennial flower bed. Landscape timbers, often used for edging, are long pieces of solid pressure-treated wood. They are 3- to 8-inches wide and have edges designed for landscaping purposes.
What is garden bed edging?
Garden bed edging is the process of creating a distinct boundary between your lawn and garden areas using the earth itself or other materials. Proper edging prevents grass and weeds from invading your garden and keeps healthy mulch and soil inside the bed. This type of landscaping also keeps your yard neater by making a clear mow line.