Maya Ellison
Plastic lawn edging is a great way to give your garden a clean, finished look. It's an easy DIY project that can be completed in a few hours, giving your garden beds a manicured look while keeping mulch in place and preventing weeds from spreading. The flexible material is easy to work with, making it perfect for curved borders and round garden beds. The height of the edging is important, ensuring your lawnmower doesn't get caught on it, and the depth of the trench it sits in is crucial to avoid damage. This guide will take you through the steps to successfully install plastic lawn edging and enhance your landscaping.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To distinguish a garden bed from the rest of a lawn, making your garden look neat and tidy |
| Ease of Installation | Easy DIY project that can be completed in a few hours |
| Flexibility | Can be used for curved borders and round garden beds |
| Measurement Technique | Lay rope or twine along the desired path and use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature |
| Trench Depth | 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) deep around the garden bed |
| Root Management | Cut away any small roots interrupting the trench using pruning shears |
| Stake Installation | Install a stake every 5 feet (1.5 m) by hammering it into the soil next to the edging |
| Soil Compaction | Stomp along the curves with your feet to flatten and compact the soil |
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What You'll Learn
Planning and measuring
Planning and preparation are crucial steps when installing plastic lawn edging. Before starting, gather all the required materials for your project. You will need plastic lawn edging, stakes, a shovel, measuring tape, a garden hose or rope, and scissors or a utility knife.
Start by mapping out the area where you intend to install the edging. Consider the shape and dimensions of your flower beds, walkways, and other areas you want to define. Use a measuring tape to calculate the linear feet required for your edging, adding a little extra for cuts and adjustments. This will prevent you from running out of materials mid-project. Accurate measurements will also ensure that your edging fits perfectly in the designated spaces and creates a clean, professional look.
To measure the garden beds or borders you want to edge, lay rope or twine along the beds in the desired shape. When you're satisfied with the design, use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope. Then, once the paint is dry, cut the rope to size and measure its length with a tape measure to determine how much edging material you'll need. For curves or irregular shapes, you can also use a garden hose or rope to outline the area and mark the edges clearly.
Before installation, it's beneficial to visualize the layout using garden stakes and string, allowing for adjustments prior to digging. This step will help you make any necessary adjustments and ensure a straight, level line for a professional finish. You can also create a rough diagram of your landscape with the planned edging lines to visualize the final result. This stage will help you determine the best type of edging material to use based on your specific needs.
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Digging a trench
Once you have your measurements, it's time to start digging. Use a round-pointed shovel or spade to dig a trench that is 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) deep along the edges of the garden bed. Make sure the trench is deep enough so that the plastic edging will not stick up out of the ground. If the edging is too high, it could be damaged by your lawnmower. As you dig, cut away any small roots that are in the way of the trench using pruning shears. Leave any large tree roots and simply cut the edging to accommodate them. Clear away the roots and soil to create a neat space to work in.
Now you have a trench, it's time to prepare for the next steps of installing the edging.
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Cutting away roots
When installing plastic lawn edging, it is important to cut away any roots that may interrupt the placement of the edging. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to effectively cut away roots when installing plastic lawn edging:
Firstly, lay out a piece of rope or twine along the garden bed where you plan to install the edging. This will help you visualise the path of the edging and ensure you cut away roots only where necessary. Mark the outline of the bed using environmentally safe marking paint by following the curvature of the rope.
Once the marking paint has dried, use pruning shears, sharp garden shears, aviation snips, a hacksaw, or a sharp flat shovel to cut away any small roots that interrupt the path of the edging. Make sure to cut the roots at least 3–6 inches deep to create a clear space for the trench. If you encounter large tree roots, it is recommended to leave them intact and cut the edging to accommodate them. You can cut a notch in the edging using scissors or a utility knife to go around large roots.
Avoid installing edging around areas with many large tree roots, as cutting through them can be challenging and may damage the roots. If you come across a tree root that is above ground, you can cut the underside of the edging while leaving the top intact to go around it.
By following these steps, you can effectively cut away roots and prepare the area for installing plastic lawn edging, ensuring a neat and tidy finish for your garden bed.
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Placing the edging
To get started with placing the edging, begin by measuring the outline of the garden bed using rope. If you haven't already decided on the shape of your edging, lay the rope along the bed in the shape you desire. When you're happy with the design, use marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope. Once the paint is dry, cut the rope to size and measure its length to determine how much plastic edging you'll need. Don't forget to add 10% to the total length to account for waste.
Next, you'll want to dig a trench around the garden bed. The trench should be deep enough to ensure the plastic edging doesn't stick up out of the ground and get caught by your lawnmower. Typically, a depth of 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) should be sufficient. As you dig, cut away any small roots that are in the way of the trench using pruning shears. Leave any large tree roots that are in the way, as it will be easier to cut the edging to accommodate these. Once you've cleared away any roots, make sure you have a clear space to work in by removing the cut roots from around the trench.
Now it's time to place the edging. Unroll the plastic lawn edging and lay it flat on the ground. If possible, leave it in the sun for a day, as the warmth will make the plastic less curled and easier to shape and use. Firmly place the edging into the trench, pushing it against the garden bed. Fill in any gaps with soil, and install edging stakes to secure the edging in place. Place a stake into the soil every 5 feet (1.5 m) along the edging, positioning it right next to the top of the edging with the pointed tip facing towards the "V" shape at the bottom. Hammer the part of the stake that is above the soil to drive the pointed tip through the edging.
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Installing stakes
Firstly, it is essential to determine the placement of your stakes. Stakes should be installed at regular intervals along the perimeter of your edging. The recommended spacing varies, with sources suggesting intervals of 3 to 6 inches, 3 to 4 feet, or 5 feet. It is also recommended to use extra stakes when securing joints and curves in your edging.
Before installing the stakes, ensure that your plastic edging is properly positioned in the trench. The edging should be placed so that the lip or bead is pointing towards your garden bed, with the top of the edging slightly above the finished grade.
When installing the stakes, it is crucial to use the correct tools and techniques. Avoid using a metal hammer, as this can break the stakes. Instead, opt for a rubber or plastic mallet. Drive the stakes into the ground at a slight angle, aiming for the pointed tip to go through the edging. If using steel anchoring stakes, drive them through the pre-cut slots in the edging at a 45-degree angle. Alternatively, you can drive a stake directly through the paver edging at the elbow, centered on the horizontal tab, also at a 45-degree angle.
After installing the stakes, you can backfill the trench with soil or dirt. Use a trowel or shovel to gently fill in the empty spaces, being careful not to shift the plastic edging. Lightly water the area with a garden hose to settle the soil and firmly hold the edging in place. You can also lightly step on the dirt to compact it further if needed.
By following these steps, you can securely install stakes for your plastic lawn edging, ensuring that it remains sturdy and in place over time.
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Frequently asked questions
First, measure the outline of the garden bed using rope. Then, dig a 3-6 inch trench around the garden bed, removing any small roots in the way. Next, place the plastic edging into the trench, pushing it firmly against the garden bed. Finally, install a stake every 5 feet along the edging to secure it in place.
The trench should be deep enough so that the plastic edging doesn't stick up out of the ground and get caught by your lawnmower. Typically, a depth of 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) is recommended.
One method is to cut a 1/4" wide groove about halfway into a 2x4 piece of wood, so that the edging can slip inside. This will give you a straight edge to follow as you hammer the edging into the ground. Alternatively, use a table saw to make a few cuts 1/16" apart, or use a router or a dado blade.
