Chloe Zhang
Installing black plastic garden edging is a quick and easy DIY project that can be completed in a few hours. It is a practical, inexpensive, and economical way to give your garden a neat, finished, and manicured look. Plastic edging is flexible and easy to work with, making it an excellent choice for curved borders and round garden beds. It also acts as a barrier and helps prevent weeds from spreading. To install plastic edging, you will need to measure and outline the desired area, dig a trench, place the edging, backfill, and water the edging to settle the soil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To distinguish a garden bed from the rest of a lawn, making your garden look neat and tidy |
| Installation time | A few hours |
| Installation steps | 1. Measure the garden bed or border. 2. Dig a trench. 3. Place the edging in the trench. 4. Fill the trench with soil. 5. Water the edging to settle the soil. |
| Tools and materials | Tools: shovel, spade, garden hose, hacksaw. Materials: black plastic edging, soil, water, stakes, connectors |
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What You'll Learn
Outline the edging area
To outline the edging area, start by measuring the garden bed or border you want to edge. Use a flexible measuring tool like rope, string, or twine and lay it out along the desired path for your edging. If you want a curved border, you can create a design by laying the rope in the desired shape. Once you're satisfied with the layout, use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope. This will give you a clear outline of the edging area.
After marking the outline, you can determine the required length of plastic edging needed for your project. Measure the length of the rope with a tape measure and add about 10% to account for waste. This step ensures you have enough edging material to cover the entire border.
If you prefer a more precise measurement, you can also use a flexible measuring tape or a string along with your rope to get an exact length. Run the measuring tape or string along the rope outline to get the total linear distance required for your edging.
It is important to note that the depth of your trench will depend on the height of your edging. Typically, you will need to dig a trench that is about 3 to 6 inches deep, ensuring that only the top edge of the edging remains above the surface level. So, when outlining the edging area, keep in mind the desired depth of your trench and mark it accordingly.
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Dig a trench
Digging a trench is the first step in installing black plastic garden edging. The trench will provide a place to lay the edging and secure it in position. It will also prevent grass roots from invading your garden bed.
To begin, use a round point shovel or spade to start digging a trench. You can also use a trenching machine. The trench should be uniform in depth, typically between 3 and 6 inches deep, and only about an inch or two wide. This will depend on the height of your edging; you want to ensure that the edging stands about half an inch above ground level. The trench should be narrow, just enough to fit the edging into the ground. Dig straight down to create a vertical "wall" that will support the edging. Be sure to keep the soil you dig up nearby, as you will need it to fill in the trench later.
If your edging came in a roll, it is recommended to unroll it a day or two before installation to allow it to flatten out. This will make it easier to work with and shape.
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Place edging in the trench
Now that you have dug a trench, it's time to place the edging in it. Start by unrolling the black plastic edging to make installation easier. If possible, do this the day before and leave the edging in the sun. The sun will warm the plastic, making it less curled and easier to shape and use.
Next, firmly place the edging in the trench. Make sure only the top rolled edge is above the surface level. The edging should stand about half an inch above ground level. If your edging came in a roll, you may want to unroll it a day or two before you install it to allow it to flatten out of its rolled-up shape.
Now, fill in the trench with the soil you dug out earlier. Keep going along the entire edge of your plantings area. If you are installing edging stakes, fill in the trench with soil and then install the stakes. If not, simply fill the trench with soil and compact it until the top of the edging is half an inch above grade.
Finally, water the edging to settle the soil. Walk along your newly installed edging with a garden hose and water the soil on both sides lightly. You don't need to saturate or flood the soil, just make it moderately damp. This will allow the dirt to settle firmly, holding your plastic edging in place.
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Backfill the edging
Once you have dug a trench and placed your black plastic edging, you can begin to backfill the edging. This process involves filling in any gaps between the edging and the trench with soil. Use a shovel or spade to fill in the gaps and compact the soil as you go along. You can do this by stomping along the edging with your feet. Make sure to pack the dirt in tightly so that the edging is kept firmly in place. It is important to ensure that the edging feels sturdy and secure.
If you come across any large gaps or holes, use your hands to push in the soil and fill these spaces. Check for any weak spots or areas that require more support and add more soil to these sections. Keep adding soil until it is slightly higher than ground level, as it will settle over time with rain or watering.
To further secure your black plastic edging, you can use edging stakes. These are placed at 3 to 4-foot intervals and driven into the ground with a rubber mallet. The stakes should be at a slight angle from the lower outside face of the edging, going through to the other side. This will help to anchor the edging in place and provide additional support to prevent it from moving.
Finally, lightly water the area with a garden hose. This will help settle the soil and ensure that your edging is sturdy and stable. If needed, add more soil to any areas that require further support or to raise the edging to the desired level.
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Water the edging
Watering the edging is an important step in the installation process. It helps to settle the soil and ensure that your edging is sturdy and secure. Here are the steps you should follow:
Firstly, lay out your garden hose along the length of your newly installed edging. Turn on the hose and lightly water the soil on both sides of the edging. You don't need to saturate or flood the area—a moderate level of dampness is sufficient. This process will help to compact the soil around the edging, ensuring it is firmly in place.
If you have drainage concerns or issues with standing water, you may need to take additional measures. One option is to drill holes into the sides of the edging to allow water to flow out and prevent waterlogging. Alternatively, consider using a paver brick or stone mowing strip, which offers a more porous and attractive solution, although it may be pricier.
If you prefer not to dig a trench, there are nail-in edging versions available that can create a beautiful, divided border without the need for extensive digging.
By following these steps and selecting the appropriate measures for your specific needs, you can effectively water your edging and ensure the long-term stability of your garden installation.
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Frequently asked questions
First, unroll the black plastic edging to make installation easier. If possible, do this the day before and leave the edging in the sun to make it less curled and easier to shape.
The trench should be deep enough to let the edging stand about half an inch above ground level. Typically, trenches are dug 3 to 6 inches deep.
Measure the outline of the garden bed using rope or twine. Then, use a tape measure to determine the length of the rope and how much edging you'll need. Add 10% to the total length to account for waste.
You will need a shovel or spade to dig the trench, and tin snips, pruning shears, scissors or a utility knife to trim the edging to length. You will also need a garden hose to water the edging and settle the soil.
After placing the edging in the trench, fill in the trench with soil. Water the edging lightly to settle the soil, then use your hands to push soil into any small gaps.
