Sofia Martinez
Plastic garden edging is a great way to give your garden a clean, manicured look. It is flexible and easy to work with, making it perfect for curved borders and round garden beds. The installation process is relatively simple and can be done by avid DIYers. The process involves measuring and marking the desired area, digging a trench, installing the edging, backfilling and compacting the soil, and anchoring the edging with stakes. However, some users have reported issues with warping, which can be mitigated by proper installation techniques, including heat treatment and the use of sufficient stakes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To give garden beds, borders and outdoor spaces a clean, finished look |
| Benefits | Economical, DIY-friendly, flexible and easy to work with |
| Preparation | Measure the garden beds or borders to be edged, using rope or twine to map out the desired shape |
| Use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope | |
| Cut the rope to size and measure its length to estimate the amount of plastic edging required | |
| Installation | Dig a trench along the edges of the bed, maintaining a uniform depth of 3-4 inches |
| Trim the plastic edging strips to length if necessary, using tools like tin snips, pruning shears, scissors, or a utility knife | |
| Backfill the trench with soil, compacting it to keep the edging in place | |
| Anchor the edging with edging stakes placed at 3-4 foot intervals, driven with a rubber mallet | |
| Water the area lightly to settle the soil | |
| Maintenance | Add soil to low-lying spots and areas that need more support to ensure the edging remains sturdy |
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What You'll Learn
Planning and measuring
Planning:
Before starting any installation project, it's essential to have a clear plan and design in mind. Decide on the shape and layout of your garden beds or borders, considering the overall aesthetics and functionality of your outdoor space. Curved borders and round garden beds are popular choices for plastic edging due to its flexibility.
Measuring:
- Use rope or twine to outline the desired shape of your garden beds or borders. Experiment with different layouts until you find the perfect design.
- Once you're happy with the layout, use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope. This will create a clear guideline for your trench.
- Allow the paint to dry, then remove the rope. Measure the length of the painted line with a tape measure to determine the required amount of plastic edging. It's a good idea to add 10% to this measurement to account for waste and ensure you have enough material.
- Dig a uniform trench along the marked line with a round point shovel or spade. Ensure the trench is approximately 3 to 4 inches deep, allowing the edging to stand about half an inch above ground level.
- Create a vertical "wall" by digging straight down. This wall will provide support and stability for your plastic edging.
By following these planning and measuring steps, you'll have a solid foundation for installing your plastic garden edging. Remember to take your time and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a precise and professional finish.
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Digging a trench
When preparing to dig, ensure you have the right tools. A round-point shovel or spade is recommended for this task. Follow your markings and dig a trench along the edges of the bed. It is important to maintain a uniform depth of 3 to 4 inches. This depth allows the edging to stand about half an inch above ground level, providing a sturdy base. Dig straight down to create a vertical "wall" that will support the edging. This wall will help keep your edging in place and provide a neat finish.
As you dig, be mindful of creating a consistent depth and a straight wall. Any unevenness can impact the stability and appearance of your edging. If your garden bed has curves, adjust your digging technique accordingly to follow the desired shape. It is also important to dig with caution to avoid damaging any underground utilities or irrigation systems. Always call 811 before digging to have underground lines marked for your safety.
Once your trench is dug, you can move on to the next step of installing your plastic edging. Remember to trim the edging to size if needed and follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Installing plastic garden edging is a straightforward process that can enhance the appearance and functionality of your outdoor space.
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Cutting edging to size
Before you start cutting your plastic garden edging to size, you'll need to know how much edging you require. To do this, lay rope or twine along the garden bed in your desired shape. Once you're happy with the design, use marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope. After the rope is dry, cut it to size and use a tape measure to determine the length.
Add 10% to the total length to account for any waste. Now you know the total length of edging you need, you can start cutting your plastic edging strips to size. You can use tin snips, pruning shears, scissors, or a utility knife to cut the strips to length. Aviation snips/shears are another good option—just make sure you get the straight-cutting style.
When joining multiple strips of edging, slide a coupler halfway into one of the top channels and pinch the first strip to hold it in place. Then, fit the coupler into the second strip and apply pressure so that the pieces are tightly butted against each other. This will minimise the appearance of the seam. To make the joint less noticeable, arrange for the pieces to join in the middle of the run, avoiding corners, sharp bends, or angles in the design.
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Backfilling and compacting
Backfilling:
Use a shovel or spade to backfill the trench behind the edging with the soil you previously set aside. As you add the soil back into the trench, use it to support and stabilise the edging. Force the edging against the wall of the trench and pack the soil tightly against it as you go. Make sure to backfill until the soil level is slightly higher than the ground level, as it will settle once it receives water, either from rainfall or watering.
Compacting:
Compaction is essential to maximise the soil density and provide a firm foundation for your edging. After backfilling, use your feet to stomp along the edging, compacting the soil tightly. This will help to remove any air pockets and create a solid base. Additionally, lightly watering the area with a garden hose after compaction can aid in settling the soil further, ensuring a sturdy installation.
To enhance the stability of your edging, it's recommended to anchor it with edging stakes. Space the stakes at intervals of 3 to 4 feet along the edging. Drive each stake into the ground at a slight angle, starting from the lower outside face of the edging and through to the other side, using a rubber mallet. This will provide additional support and prevent any warping or shifting of the edging over time.
By following these backfilling and compacting steps, you can ensure that your plastic garden edging is securely installed and maintain a neat and manicured appearance in your yard or garden.
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Anchoring and finishing
Once you've dug your trench and placed your edging, it's time to anchor and finish the job. Use a shovel or spade to backfill behind the edging with the soil you removed when digging the trench. As you're doing this, force the edging against the wall of the trench and pack the dirt in as you go, ensuring the edging is firmly in place. Compact the soil by stomping along the edging with your feet. Keep adding soil until it's slightly higher than ground level, as it will settle after the first rain or watering.
Now it's time to anchor the edging in place. You can use edging stakes at 3 to 4-foot intervals. Drive each stake at a slight angle from the lower outside face of the edging to the other side with a rubber mallet. Water the area lightly with a garden hose to settle the soil. The edging should feel sturdy all around. If there are any areas that need more support or are lower than others, add more soil to raise the edging.
To finish, ensure the edging stands about half an inch above ground level. You can use fine stakes to hold it in place and stretch it to ensure it's taut with no slack. If you're dealing with curves, be aware that dips along the line can cause warping, so add soil underneath if needed to create a flat surface.
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Frequently asked questions
First, measure the garden beds or borders you want to edge, using rope or twine. Mark the curvature of the rope with environmentally safe paint, then cut the rope to size and measure its length to estimate how much edging you'll need. Dig a trench along the edges of the bed, following the marking paint. The trench should be 3-4 inches deep, with a vertical "wall" to support the edging. Place the edging in the trench and backfill with soil, compacting it as you go. Finally, anchor the edging with edging stakes.
Measure the length of the rope or twine you used to mark out your desired design, then add 10% to account for waste.
Warping can be caused by too few or too many stakes, or by uneven ground. To prevent warping, leave the edging in the sun to soften, then stretch it and hold it in place with fine stakes to keep it taut. You can also add soil to any dips along the line.
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