Clean edges make your landscaped lawn look complete and well maintained. Having edges also keeps your grass away from your mulch and help prevent weeds from spreading through your lawn. Edging is essential to separate two types of ground cover, such as pebbles and mulch. It also works well between different kinds of sod or ornamental grasses to keep one variety (for example, weeds) from overtaking the other.
Types of Lawn Edging
There are many varieties of edging but most fall into two categories.
Solid edging made of metal, rubber or plastic and is usually black or brown. This type of edging provides a neat clean line in your landscape.
Edging with pave stones, which may be brick-shaped, scalloped or designed to look like natural stones. This type of edging is great for a more rustic look, raised garden beds and retaining walls. It does require more of labor-intensive work to create this type if edging. Stones can be heavy and setting them can be time-consuming, but the payoff and wow factor will make it worthwhile.
Soil Preparation and Trench Digging
When digging a trench for your edging, finding the right depth is the trickiest part. Use a shovel and mark a section of your edging as a guide. You may want the top to be higher than your lawn, rocks or other ground cover, however not too high that it stands out. It’s also important to place the solid edging deep enough to avoid creating a tripping hazard.
Installing the Edging
If you are using roll-type edging, use a level as you unroll the material to avoid any slope or uneven areas. Read this article on how to install plastic edging. Rubber and metal edging material usually needs to be secured with stakes. This step is not necessary for paver edging.
Using pave stones place each one so that it is level with the one before it, and keep the gaps between the pavers as small as possible. To create a tighter fit, interlock the pave stones. You can set you stones with cement or mortar for a strong and lasting edge.
Backfill behind the edging with soil, forcing the edging against the wall of the trench. Once the material is secure, add rocks or other ground cover, making sure the top of the edging remains at a higher level.
The contrast and beauty that is created from edging is just one benefit for your landscape. Keeping invasive weeds and grasses from jumping into your garden beds in another benefit.
