DIY (Do It Yourself) Guide – Installing Lawn Edging

Installing Lawn Edging to define bed borders

Edging your lawn adds character, defines the borders of the bed but essentially helps keep mulch from invading the garden but it also prevents stolons from invading the vegetables or flower bed.  The simplest method to install lawn edging is to cut a trench at the edges. It does require frequent maintenance and often many homeowners would prefer something that would not require much maintenance. There are many different types of edging and the first instance is to decide which type of edging you would prefer for your lawn. Just to consider a few; there are bricks and stone edging, plastic strip edging, timber or wood edging, metal edging. The basic concept for all is similar; to provide a clean edge for the lawn.

Consideration must be given as to the need for edging. It is not only for separating flower beds. Some edging like mowing strips help reduce maintenance by allowing mowing the borders and avoiding trimming.

Installing plastic strip lawn edging

There are necessary steps to consider when installing plastic strips. You must first consider the area which you want to edge the total length and obtain the necessary edging material.  You will need; pruners, a knife, spades, and measuring tape.

• Start by digging a trench at least 3-4 inches. The depth of the stretch should be such that the plastic edging standout at least ½ inch above ground.
• Place the plastic strip on the trench following the contour; cut strips to fit if required using a pruner, or knife.
• Join any strips together where required by sliding a coupler inside the first strip halfway and pinching the strip to hold the coupler and slide the other strip to fit.
• Use stakes to anchor the edging at intervals of three or four feet. Place each stake with a slight angle on the lower outer edge
• Place the trench with soil forcing it to cover the plastic strip
• Tamp down with your feet or use a garden hose to light water the area to pack it down. place soil on low spots and rake smoothly.

Installing brick or stone edging

Brick and stone edging is perfect to provide the landscape a manicured appearance.  Using bricks for edging is very affordable and offers lots of versatility.

• Start by digging a trench about six inches following the contour of the bed make certain that you have cut the walls of the trench straight and stamp firmly on the bottom
• Place a mason line that runs between two end stakes and level the line at the height that you would like to have the brick preferably the brick should stick out at a height at least an inch above the surface
• Align the bricks in the trench so that they are leveled at the desired length. Fill with soil at the bottom as necessary to acquire the correct level for the bricks
• Backfill the trench with soil on both sides. Make certain that the bricks sit well on the trench by tapping using a rubber mallet. Make adjustments if necessary.
• Place all the bricks avoiding having to cut the bricks especially the last brick or those at a corner. If you do have to cut the brick to accommodate, use a chisel to cut accordingly
• Place another mason line from one end to the other when edging at a corner
• Cover completely the trench with soil and tamping gently on both sides. Put amendment like peat moss, fertilizer, or manure into the soil and smooth the bed using a garden rake.

Considerations when edging

How you edge your law bare much to the overall look of the lawn and sets the tone for the entire landscape. Depending on how you perform the edging, it can make the difference between a noticeable lawn that is well cared after and one that is neglected.  There is no specific method of edging. Does your lawn and garden look formal, or informal?  Is the edging going to separate pathway, a garden, etc. You can also consider the material on the deck, the patio; are they wood, brick. These are just some consideration to keep in mind when choosing to edge your lawn. It can help provide the perfect décor to the surrounding.

Lawn edging when professionally done not only does it make your lawn look nice but also it have many other benefits. Lawn edging is the finishing touch much like placing the icing on a cake. A very well a cleanly edged lawn will make mowing a lot easier. It also helps protect flowers making the separate and visibly apart from the lawn. Mulch can have their specific area or you can define area that you would like to place emphasis on. Edging can be performed for décor. Plastic edging is very much popular and often simple but subtle defining contours perfectly and offering much protection. Plastic edging is often best to separate garden. Wood edging to accentuate certain places can also be considered. These are much used if you have a specific theme. For instance a deck or patio made of wood and a garden having different flower beds. Wood edging besides playing its role as to define the borders can be used to provide a much more pleasing aspect.

Besides wood, brick or stone edging can also be used. Brick edging often works well for defining pathways but they can certainly be used for forming islands in the lawn which will add character and beauty. Being that there are so many different types of brick, the possibilities are plenty and a little creativity and imagination can see you shape a lawn in such a manner that will give the whole lawn a stunning and stylish aspect.

Lawn edging can also have many advantages. It not only separated the garden bed and prevents weeds from invading the garden but it also can be made in such a manner to help when  mowing the lawn and facilitate in cutting the grass at the edge without having to do much trimming.  Different types of edging can serve many purposes besides just making the lawn look nice and tidy. Lawn edging can be constructed with metal, plastic, bricks, landscape timber, aluminum, concrete, pavers and made in such a manner as to offer style and elegance. It can be used for defining shapes and contours around the garden along with the protective characteristic that it entails.

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