Omar Khalid
Plastic edging is a popular, inexpensive, and practical way to distinguish a garden bed from the rest of a lawn, making your garden look neat and tidy. It is also used to hold pavers in place. Installing plastic edging can be a quick and easy DIY project that can be completed in a few hours. To install plastic edging, you need to measure the perimeter of your garden bed using a rope or a flexible measuring tape, then dig a trench around the garden bed. Place the plastic edging in the trench and, if necessary, cut it to size. Finally, fill the trench in with soil and install stakes to provide stability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To distinguish a garden bed from the rest of a lawn, making your garden look neat and tidy, and acting as a barrier to prevent grass from growing in unwanted areas |
| Installation | Dig a trench around the garden bed and cut away any roots. Then set the edging by filling the trench with soil again, and installing edging stakes. Use a connector if the trench is longer than one roll of plastic edging. |
| Measurement | Measure the perimeter of your garden bed using rope to determine how much edging you'll need. Plastic lawn edging is commonly sold in 20 ft (6.1 m) lengths and typically ranges from 3–6 in (7.6–15.2 cm) high. |
| Securing | Hammer in stakes at a 45-degree angle to avoid the edging being forced out by frost. Use non-bending steel stakes for extra strength and angle them slightly for extra grip. |
| Maintenance | Water the dirt to settle it firmly and hold the edging in place. Trim the surrounding grass to maintain a crisp look. |
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What You'll Learn
Measure the area to determine how much edging you need
To determine how much edging you need, start by measuring the perimeter of your garden bed. You can do this by laying a piece of rope or string along the edge of your garden bed, following the path of your desired edging. Then, use a tape measure to measure the length of the rope. Be sure to add 10% to the total length to account for waste.
If your border is longer than one roll of plastic edging, you will need to use connectors to attach multiple rolls together. Standard connector pieces are 8 inches long, with 4 inches of each end of the connector attaching to the edging.
The depth of your trench will depend on the height of your edging. Typically, trenches for plastic edging are dug 3 to 6 inches deep, with the edging standing about half an inch above ground level. If you are using Grass Barrier plastic edging, you may only need to dig a trench 2 to 4 inches deep.
Plastic edging typically comes in 20-foot lengths and can be purchased from most gardening centres and home improvement stores. It is commonly sold in a coil or roll and should be unrolled and left in the sun for at least 60 minutes before installation to make it easier to work with.
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Dig a trench to place the edging in
Digging a trench is the first step in installing plastic edging. The trench should be dug around the perimeter of your garden bed, and it should be slightly wider than the width of the edging. The recommended depth of the trench varies across sources, ranging from 2 to 6 inches deep. It's important to keep the dirt you've dug out nearby, as you will need it later to fill in the trench once the edging has been placed.
Before digging the trench, it's advisable to measure the perimeter of your garden bed using a rope or a flexible measuring tape. This will help you determine how much edging you'll need. It's also a good idea to unroll the plastic edging and lay it flat a day before installation to allow it to straighten out.
When digging the trench, use a round point shovel or spade to create a uniform depth. Dig straight down to form a vertical "wall" that will support the edging. Be sure to cut away any roots in the trench and set them aside. If you encounter large tree roots, mark the plastic edging for cutting to fit around the root without damaging it.
After the trench has been dug, place the plastic edging inside, ensuring that the lip on the bottom is facing toward the garden bed. If your edging has a decorative edge, position it so that it will be visible once the project is complete. If you are using multiple rolls of edging, use connectors to attach the ends of the rolls.
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Use connectors to join multiple strips of edging
Plastic edging is a great way to give your garden a clean and tidy look. It is an easy DIY project that can be completed in a few hours. If your trench is longer than one roll of plastic edging, you will need to use connectors to join multiple strips of edging.
First, measure the length of the trench with a tape measure to determine how many strips of edging you will need. Plastic edging typically comes in 20-foot lengths and can be purchased from most gardening centres and home improvement stores.
To join multiple strips of edging, use a connector that comes with the edging kit. Slide the connector onto the end of each roll, so the ends meet in the middle. Firmly push the connector down onto each end so that it feels sturdy and attached. With an 8-inch-long connector, 4 inches from each end of the edging will be used. You can also use a "C" connector to join two strips of lawn edging together quickly and easily.
Before joining the strips, trim the strips to length, if necessary, with tin snips or pruning shears. To make the spot where two strips join less noticeable, arrange for the pieces to join in or near the middle of the run. Avoid joining strips near corners, sharp bends, or angles in the design. Once the strips are joined, use a shovel or spade to backfill behind the edging with soil, forcing the edging against the wall of the trench as you pack the dirt in.
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Secure the edging with stakes
To secure plastic edging with stakes, start by placing the edging in the trench so that the lip on the bottom is pointing toward your garden bed and not the lawn. Then, before you add any soil, install the stakes. Position the pointed tip of the stake into the V-shape at the bottom of the edging. The end of the stake that will be hammered in should be bent at a ninety-degree angle, with the short, bent part facing down.
It is important to note that the angle at which you hammer in the stakes is crucial. Avoid pounding the stakes straight down or at a forty-degree angle. Instead, aim for a very flat angle, ideally at twenty-five degrees or less. By hammering the stakes in at a flat angle, you prevent frost heave, which can cause the edging to rise noticeably over time.
For a twenty-foot length of edging, it is recommended to use four stakes, placing one at the start, one at seven feet, one at fourteen feet, and the last one at the end. If you are connecting two pieces of edging, you will need additional stakes at the ends of each joined section, resulting in two stakes positioned approximately six inches apart on either side of the connector.
Use a rubber mallet or a mallet specifically designated for this purpose, as a metal hammer can break the stakes. Place the stakes at intervals of 3 to 6 inches along the perimeter, or every 5 feet, depending on the source. Additionally, when securing the edging with stakes, consider using plastic coupling to secure corners or odd angles together.
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Water the dirt to settle it around the edging
Watering the dirt around your plastic edging is an important step to ensure that it is settled and sturdy. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this effectively:
First, it is important to ensure that you have properly prepared the area before watering. This includes measuring and digging a trench, placing the plastic edging in the trench, and backfilling the dirt on both sides of the edging. The edging should be placed so that the lip or the "V" at the bottom is pointing towards your garden bed and not the lawn. Use a trowel or shovel to gently move the dirt, taking care not to shift the edging.
Now, you are ready to water the dirt to settle it around the edging. Use a garden hose to lightly water the area, walking alongside the edging to ensure that the soil on both sides is evenly watered. This process helps the soil to settle tightly and firmly around the edging.
After watering, you may notice that the soil has settled lower in some spots. To address this, simply add more soil to these low-lying areas to raise the edging. This step ensures that your edging remains sturdy and secure.
Additionally, it is important to note that the soil will settle further with time, especially after the first rain or watering. Therefore, it is recommended to fill the soil slightly higher than ground level initially, as mentioned earlier in the backfilling step.
By following these steps and paying attention to the details, you can effectively settle the dirt around your plastic edging, resulting in a neat and manicured garden bed or lawn border.
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Frequently asked questions
First, measure the perimeter of your garden bed using rope to determine how much edging you'll need. Then, dig a 3-6 inch deep trench around your garden bed that's slightly wider than the width of the edging. Next, place the plastic edging in the trench so 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 in with soil and install a stake every 3 to 6 feet along the edging.
Unroll the plastic edging and lay it outside in the sun for a day or two to keep it straight and make it easier to shape and use. If it keeps curling back to its original shape, set a rock or another lightweight object on each end.
Slide a coupler halfway into one of the top channels of the first strip. Pinch the first strip to hold the coupler in place, then fit it into the second strip.
You will need a tape measure, a round point shovel or spade, a trowel or shovel, a mallet, and garden shears or scissors.
Trim the surrounding grass to keep a crisp look year-round. Plastic edging lasts anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on your climate, the type of edging, and sun exposure.
