How to Install Landscape Edging

Types of Landscape Edging Materials

You have several options for edging materials, each with different durability and aesthetic appeal. Metal edging, typically steel or aluminum, offers a clean, modern look and lasts for years without breaking down. Plastic edging is affordable and easy to work with, though it may fade over time and isn't as durable as metal. Brick, stone, and pavers provide a more permanent solution and complement traditional garden designs beautifully. Wood edging, like treated timber, has a natural appearance but requires maintenance and eventual replacement as it weathers. Composite materials combine durability with low maintenance, resisting rot and fading. The best choice depends on your budget, the style you want to achieve, and how much maintenance you're willing to do over time.

Planning Your Edging Layout

Before you start installing, measure and mark the perimeter of your garden bed carefully. Use spray paint, chalk, or a garden hose to outline where the edging will go, visualizing the finished border before you commit to the work. Curved edges add visual interest but take longer to install, while straight lines are simpler and more formal. Consider the height of your edging—lower borders work well for flower beds, while taller edges suit vegetable gardens or areas where you want strong separation from the lawn. Take time to ensure your line is level and follows the natural contours of your landscape. This planning stage saves time during installation and ensures a professional-looking result that looks intentional and well-designed.

Preparing the Ground

The success of your edging installation depends on proper ground preparation. Remove any grass or weeds along the border line—edging should sit directly against soil or mulch, not vegetation that will rot beneath it. Use a sharp spade or edging tool to cut a clean trench along your marked line, making a defined edge. The depth of the trench depends on your edging material: metal and plastic edging typically sit 2 to 3 inches below the soil surface, while brick or stone can be laid on top or partially buried. Loosen the soil in the bottom of the trench so the edging sits firmly without rocking. Clear away rocks and roots that could prevent the edging from sitting flat. Compact the trench bottom slightly to create a stable foundation that won't shift under weight.

Installing Metal and Plastic Edging

Metal and plastic edging is popular because it's straightforward to install for most homeowners. Lay the edging into your prepared trench, ensuring it follows your marked line precisely. Most metal edging comes in sections that overlap slightly—slide pieces together at these joints carefully. Use a rubber mallet to gently tap the edging downward into the trench so it sits at the correct depth. Drive stakes or anchors through the mounting holes, usually spaced every 12 to 18 inches, to hold the edging firmly in place.

Spacing and Securing Stakes

Space anchors evenly and drive them in straight so they don't bend or miss the holes. Check the height as you go to make sure the edging is level and consistent throughout the border. For curved sections, bend the edging gradually along the curve rather than trying to force a sharp angle, which can damage the material or create weak points.

Installing Brick and Stone Edging

Brick and stone edging creates a more decorative border but takes longer to install properly. Dig a slightly wider trench than your material to allow for sand or mortar beneath each piece. Create a bed of sand or gravel about 1 inch deep in the trench bottom for the bricks or stones to rest on securely. Place each piece carefully, checking that it's level both along and across the border line. You can lay them flat or on edge depending on the look you want to achieve. For a permanent installation, apply mortar between pieces as you go, creating joints that hold the border together.

Dry-Laid versus Mortared Installation

For a more flexible option, lay them dry without mortar and rely on gravity to hold them in place. Work methodically so each piece supports the next one, and adjust as needed to maintain level heights throughout the entire border.

Securing and Finishing

After your edging is in place, backfill the trench with soil on the garden side of the border. Tamp this soil gently to remove air pockets and hold the edging firmly in its final position. On the lawn side, backfill with soil or lay sod to finish the edge professionally. If you're using mulch or compost in your beds, add it after the edging is secure—this keeps mulch from spilling onto the lawn and creating maintenance headaches. Water the area lightly to settle the soil and help compact it around the edging. Make sure the top of your edging is still level and visible from above after all backfilling is complete. For metal edging, you might add a thin layer of mulch inside the bed to hide the stakes underneath.

Maintenance and Longevity

Landscape edging requires occasional maintenance to stay effective and visually appealing. Check metal or plastic edging seasonally for shifts caused by frost heave or settling soil beneath it. Adjust any sections that have moved out of alignment by tapping them back into place with a rubber mallet. Remove any soil that's built up on the lawn side and could hide the border or prevent water drainage. For stone or brick edging, reset any pieces that have shifted during winter or after heavy rains. Add new mulch as needed inside the bed so the edging remains visible and functional throughout the year. Sweep or blow debris from the top to keep the border looking clean and well-maintained. Well-maintained edging continues to define your landscape for years, keeping garden beds organized and preventing soil migration.

When to Call a Professional

While edging installation is a do-it-yourself project for many homeowners, some situations call for professional help. Steep slopes, very large areas, or complex curved designs are easier with experience and specialized equipment. Decorative stone or brick edging installed with mortar requires skilled work for a lasting, professional result. If your soil is particularly rocky or hard, professional tools and expertise speed up the job considerably. Trotter Landscape Company specializes in landscape design and installation in Morris, IL and nearby towns, and their team can help with garden design for your entire property. If you'd like help planning your edging layout or want a professional installation, call TLC at (815) 942-6513 for a quote.