Sofia Martinez
Plastic edging is a great way to make your garden look neat and tidy. It can be used to distinguish a garden bed from the lawn, and it also helps to keep mulch in place and prevents weeds from spreading. The height of plastic lawn edging varies across brands, but it typically ranges from 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) high. The trench you dig for your edging should be at least 3 inches deep, and you should leave some space for the edging to stand above ground level.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | Typically ranges from 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) |
| Trench depth | 3–6 inches deep |
| Ease of installation | Easy to install, flexible, and durable |
| Cost | 60 feet of plastic edging for garden beds and outdoor spaces starts at around $30 |
| Use case | Creating a barrier between grass and mulch or stone |
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What You'll Learn
Trench depth
When installing black plastic edging, the trench depth is crucial to ensure the edging's stability and effectiveness. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for achieving the proper trench depth:
Firstly, the recommended trench depth for typical plastic edging ranges from 3 to 6 inches. This depth allows the edging to be securely embedded in the ground, with about half an inch remaining above ground level. This slight protrusion above the ground is important to prevent the edging from becoming a tripping hazard.
When digging the trench, it is essential to create a vertical "wall" on one side. This wall will provide support and help keep the edging in place. The trench should be slightly wider than the width of the edging, typically about one to two inches wider. This extra width ensures the edging fits comfortably and securely.
In very rainy areas, it is advisable to create a swale, or shallow trench, on the garden bed side of the edging. This swale should be about 4 inches deep and will help prevent water from pooling around plant stems, reducing the risk of root rot. It also aids in collecting excess mulch and deterring grass from invading your garden bed.
To measure and mark the desired trench path, use rope or twine. This allows you to create a uniform design and determine the required amount of edging. Once you are satisfied with the layout, use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the path. This paint ensures a clear guideline for digging your trench.
When placing the edging in the trench, ensure that the lip at the bottom faces the garden bed and not the lawn. This orientation is crucial to prevent water pooling and other drainage issues. Secure the edging to the vertical trench wall using stakes, nails, or landscape staples. Anchoring the edging at regular intervals of 3 to 4 feet or 5 feet will provide stability and prevent it from working its way loose over time.
Lastly, backfill the trench with soil, compacting it tightly and watering it lightly. This process helps to keep the edging firmly in place. It is recommended to leave the soil slightly higher than ground level, as it will settle with the first rain or watering.
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Installation
To install black plastic edging, you will first need to measure the perimeter of your garden bed to determine how much edging you will need. You can do this by laying rope or twine along the beds in your desired shape and then using environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope. Once the rope is dry, cut it to size and use a tape measure to determine the length.
Next, you will need to dig a trench along the edges of the bed. The trench should be uniform in depth, ranging from 3 to 6 inches deep, depending on the height of your plastic edging. It should be dug straight down to create a vertical "wall" that will support the edging. The trench should also be slightly wider than the width of the edging.
If you are using a product such as Vigoro Black Plastic Heavy Duty No-Dig Edging, you can lay the edging in your desired shape and location and then hammer anchoring spikes through the tabs on the edging. For this product, it is recommended to place the spikes a maximum of 40 inches apart.
If you are using traditional plastic edging, you will need to place the edging in the trench so that the lip on the bottom is pointing toward your garden bed and not the lawn. If you need multiple rolls of edging, use a connector to attach the ends of the rolls. Finally, fill the trench with soil and install a stake every 5 feet along the edging.
It is important to note that you should avoid placing edging around garden beds with many large tree roots, as you may need to cut away at the edging. If there is a large root, you can use scissors or a utility knife to cut a gap in the edging and line it up with the root.
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Measuring
First, you need to measure the perimeter of your garden bed. You can do this by laying rope or twine along the bed in the shape you desire. You can then use this rope to measure the length with a tape measure. Don't forget to add 10% to the total length to account for waste.
Next, you need to dig a trench around the garden bed. The trench should be at least 3 inches deep, but can be deeper depending on the height of your edging. The trench should be slightly wider than the width of the edging. For example, the Vigoro 60 ft. x 0.5 in x 4.5 in. Black Plastic Dig-In Landscape Edging requires a trench that is at least 0.5 inches wider.
If your trench is longer than one roll of plastic edging, you will need to use a connector to attach multiple rolls together. The connector should be pushed down onto each end so that it feels sturdy and attached. With an 8-inch-long connector, 4 inches of each end of the edging will be used.
Finally, you will need to install stakes to secure the edging in place. For straight portions, a stake every 4 feet is sufficient, but where there are curves, you will need a stake every 2 feet.
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Cutting
If you are cutting black plastic edging to go around a large tree root, you can use scissors or a utility knife to cut a gap in the edging. Line up the gap with the root to ensure you have the right spot. It is recommended to avoid placing edging around garden beds with many large tree roots, as this will require cutting the edging multiple times.
If you are joining multiple strips of edging, you can use a coupler to connect them. Slide the coupler halfway into one of the top channels of the first strip, then fit it into the second strip. Apply pressure to ensure the pieces are tightly butted against each other to minimize the appearance of the seam.
Additionally, if you are installing black plastic edging that requires stakes, you may need to cut the edging to fit around the stakes. For example, the Vigoro 60 ft. x 0.5 in. x 4.5 in. Black Plastic Dig-In Landscape Edging is installed with stakes placed a maximum of 40 inches apart. To cut this edging, use clippers or a hand saw and cut an equal distance between two tabs.
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Soil filling
To install black plastic edging, you will need to start by measuring the perimeter of your garden bed. You can use a rope or twine to do this, laying it along the beds in the shape you desire. Once you are satisfied with the design, use marking paint to trace the rope's curvature.
The next step is to dig a trench along the edges of the bed, following the marking paint as your guide. The trench should be at least 3 inches deep, but can be deeper depending on the height of your plastic edging, which typically ranges from 3–6 inches. The trench should be deep enough to let the edging stand about half an inch above ground level. You should dig straight down to create a vertical "wall" that will support the edging.
Now, place the plastic edging in the trench so that the lip on the bottom is pointing toward your garden bed and not the lawn. If you need multiple rolls of edging, use a connector to attach the ends of the rolls. Make sure the trench is filled with soil, and then install a stake every 5 feet along the edging. Starting 3 inches in from the beginning of the edging, place the pointed tip of the stake into the V at the bottom of the edging.
If you are using the Vigoro Black Plastic Heavy Duty 100 ft. No-Dig Edging coil, you will not need to dig a trench. Instead, lay the edging in the desired shape and location, and hammer anchoring spikes through the tabs on the edging. Place the spikes a maximum of 40 inches apart.
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Frequently asked questions
The trench should be at least 3 inches deep to fit the plastic edging. The trench depth can range from 3 to 6 inches, depending on the height of the edging.
The height of black plastic edging can vary across brands. It typically ranges from 3 to 6 inches in height, with 3-inch edging being widely available and inexpensive.
Black plastic edging provides a clean, defined edge to your landscape design, creating a barrier between different areas of your garden, such as between grass and mulch or stone. It also helps prevent weeds from spreading and keeps mulch in place.
First, measure the perimeter of your garden bed to determine how much edging you need. Then, dig a trench that is slightly wider than the edging and 3-6 inches deep. Place the edging in the trench with the lip pointing towards the garden bed. If you need multiple rolls, use a connector to attach the ends. Finally, fill the trench with soil and install stakes to secure the edging.
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