Maya Ellison
Plastic lawn edging is a great way to beautify your garden and give it a clean, finished look. It is an easy DIY project that can be completed in a few hours and is relatively inexpensive. This guide will teach you how to install plastic edging around your garden or outdoor spaces, giving your landscaping a polished look. You will first need to measure the perimeter of your garden bed or border to determine how much plastic edging you will need. Then, you can start digging a trench and installing the edging, following the simple steps outlined below.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Wallet-friendly, starting at around $30 for 60 feet of edging |
| Installation time | A few hours |
| Difficulty | Easy, suitable for DIY |
| Tools required | Tape measure, garden shears, shovel/spade, trowel, mallet, edging stakes, watering can |
| Trench depth | At least 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep, or 2.5 cm deeper than the edging |
| Trench preparation | Remove any weed-control fabric and small roots |
| Edging preparation | Uncoil and place in the sun for 60 minutes, secure corners with plastic coupling |
| Edging placement | Place edging in the trench, fill with dirt, and compact with your foot |
| Stake placement | Every 3 to 6 inches (1.5 m) along the edging |
| Benefits | Neat and tidy appearance, prevents weed growth, enhances landscaping |
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What You'll Learn
Measuring and planning
First, you need to measure the outline of the garden bed or border where you want to install the edging. To do this, lay out a piece of rope or twine along the bed, shaping it however you desire. If you're happy with the design, use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope. Once the paint is dry, cut the rope to size and then use a tape measure to determine the length. This will give you an idea of how much plastic edging you will need for your project. It is recommended to add 10% to the total length to account for any waste.
Next, you need to plan where you will place the edging. This includes deciding where you will cut and how you will shape the edging to fit your garden. Plastic edging typically comes in a coil and often maintains that shape once unravelled, so it is best to uncoil it and set it in the sun for about 60 minutes before installing. If it keeps curling back, place a rock or another lightweight object on each end. You can skip this step if you are installing edging around a circular perimeter.
Finally, you need to dig a trench along the edges of the bed, following the marking paint. The trench should be at least 3 inches deep to fit the plastic edging, with an extra 1/2-1 inch of space above ground to maintain uniformity. If you are using lawn edging that is 4 inches deep, for example, the trench will need to be 5 inches deep on the grass side. Make sure to pull up any weed-control fabric and cut away any small roots that are in the way.
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Digging a trench
To install lawn edging plastic, you will need to dig a trench around the garden bed. This trench should be at least 3 inches deep, or even 4-6 inches deep, to accommodate the plastic lawn edging and ensure it doesn't stick up out of the ground. If you have a lawnmower, ensure the trench is deep enough so that the edging doesn't catch on it.
Before digging, 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 will need. Add 10% to the total length to account for waste. You can then use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope, which will act as a guide when digging your trench.
When digging the trench, cut away any small roots that interrupt the space and remove any weed-control fabric. Leave any large tree roots and cut the edging to accommodate these instead. The trench should be deep enough that the top of the edging is level with the base of the growing grass.
Once the trench is dug, place the plastic edging inside, pushing it firmly against the garden bed. You can use a spade or shovel to backfill dirt into the trench on both sides, being careful not to disturb the edging. Gently pat the dirt down with your hand and lightly water the area to help the dirt settle.
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Cutting the edging
Before you begin cutting, it's important to have a clear plan and layout for your lawn edging. Decide on the shape and design you want to create, as this will guide your cutting process. Mark out the areas where you want to install the edging, using stakes and strings to create a clear boundary. This will help you visualize the path of the edging and make any necessary adjustments before cutting.
Now, you'll need to measure the length of the area you've marked out for your lawn edging. Measure the distance along the stakes and strings, ensuring that you account for any curves or changes in direction. This measurement will help you cut the edging to the correct length. It's always better to slightly overestimate the length than to cut it too short, as you can always You may want to see also First, prepare the plastic edging by uncoiling it and laying it flat on the ground. If it retains a curled shape, place rocks or lightweight objects on its ends for about an hour. You can skip this step if your edging is for a circular perimeter. Measure and mark the desired length, then cut the edging accordingly. Next, create a trench along the edges of the bed. The trench should be deep enough to accommodate the edging securely, typically 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) deep. Remember to add an extra 0.5-1 inch (2.5 cm) to the depth of your edging to maintain a uniform height around your garden's perimeter. Remove any small roots or obstructions within the trench using pruning shears. Now, place the plastic edging into the trench. Ensure that the edging is firmly pushed against the garden bed and does not stick up too high above the ground to avoid any interference with lawnmowers. If your edging has a natural curl, position it so that the outside of the curl faces your flower bed. Finally, secure the edging in place. Install landscape stakes every 3 to 6 inches (or every 5 feet, as per some sources) along the perimeter, using a mallet to hammer them into the soil from the inside of the garden bed. These stakes will provide stability and prevent the edging from shifting. You may want to see also Firstly, it is important to ensure that your trench is deep enough. The trench should be at least 3 inches deep, but it can be more if you are using deeper lawn edging. For example, if you are using 4-inch-deep lawn edging, you would dig a 5-inch trench. This ensures that the edging fits snugly and securely, with an extra half inch to one inch of space above the edging to maintain a uniform look around your garden perimeter. Next, unroll your plastic lawn edging and cut it to the desired length. If it has been packaged in a coil, it may need to be left unrolled in the sun for some time to reduce its curl. You can then place the edging into the trench, pushing it firmly against the garden bed. Make sure that the top of the edging is level with the base of the growing grass to avoid any interference with lawn mowing. Now, you can install your stakes. These are important to sturdy the edging and prevent it from moving over time. Place a stake every 3 to 6 inches along the perimeter, with the pointed tip facing the "V" shape at the bottom. Use a mallet to hammer the stake into the soil from the inside of the garden bed. Avoid using a metal hammer as this can break the stakes. Finally, backfill the trench with dirt on both sides of the edging. Gently move the dirt to avoid shifting the edging. Use your hand to pat the dirt down and lightly water the area to help it settle. You can also use your foot to stomp along the curves and flatten the soil to make it compact, pushing the edging outwards along the curve. You may want to see also Measure the outline of the garden bed using rope. Then, use a tape measure to determine the length of the rope. Add 10% to the total length to account for waste. The trench should be at least 3 inches deep to fit the plastic edging. The trench depth can be up to 6 inches deep to accommodate the height of the edging. Place landscape stakes every 3 to 6 inches along the perimeter. Use a mallet to install them from inside the garden bed. Tamp down the backfill with your foot or a tool to compact the soil.Epoxy Welding: Joining Metal and Plastic with JB Weld
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Placing the edging
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Securing the edging
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Frequently asked questions
