Ethan Clarke
Plastic garden bed edging is a great way to make your garden look neat and tidy. It's also a practical way to prevent weeds and grass from growing into unwanted areas. Installing plastic edging is an easy DIY project that can be done in a few hours and is relatively inexpensive. To install plastic edging, you'll need to measure the perimeter of your garden bed, dig a trench, place the edging, and secure it with stakes. You can purchase plastic edging from most gardening centres and home improvement stores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To distinguish a garden bed from the lawn, giving it a neat and tidy look |
| Equipment | Plastic lawn edging, rope/twine, shovel/spade, garden shears, tape measure, garden hose, edging stakes, trowel, mallet, water |
| Process | Measure the perimeter of the garden bed, dig a trench, place the edging, fill the trench with soil, install stakes, water the edging, backfill any gaps |
| Benefits | Economical, DIY-friendly, flexible, easy to work with, prevents weeds |
| Tips | Leave the plastic edging in the sun to make it easier to shape, use a connector for multiple rolls, lightly water the edging, use plastic coupling for corners |
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$18.89 $20.99
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What You'll Learn
Planning and measuring
Planning
Before you begin installing plastic garden bed edging, it is essential to plan the layout of your garden bed. Consider the shape and design you want to achieve. This will help you determine the amount of plastic edging you need and how to cut and place it effectively.
Measuring
Once you have a clear idea of the design, it's time to measure the perimeter of your garden bed to calculate the required edging length. Here are the steps to follow:
- Use a flexible measuring tool such as rope, twine, or string to outline the desired path of your garden bed edging. This will help you visualise the shape and layout.
- After finalising the design, trace the rope's curvature using environmentally safe marking paint. This will create a clear guideline for your edging.
- Dry the rope and then cut it to size.
- Measure the length of the rope with a tape measure to determine the required edging length.
- Add 10% to the total length to account for any waste or errors.
By following these steps, you will have an accurate measurement for your plastic garden bed edging, ensuring a precise and efficient installation process.
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Digging a trench
To begin, use a flat-bladed spade or trowel to make a 3-6 inch deep cut around the perimeter of your garden bed. The trench should be slightly wider than the width of the edging, with a depth of 2-4 inches being sufficient for most edging heights. If you're using Grass Barrier, you may need to dig a trench that's only an inch or two wide. Stand inside the bed and dig at an angle towards your cut. You can make the trench as wide as you like, as long as it's the same width all the way around the garden.
Before digging, it's helpful to measure the outline of the garden bed using rope or twine. This will allow you to determine the length of edging you'll need and plan the shape of the trench. Once you're satisfied with the layout, use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope.
When digging the trench, be sure to cut away any roots that may interfere with the edging. Additionally, keep the dirt you've dug out nearby, as you will need it later to backfill the trench and secure the edging in place.
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Placing the edging
Next, you'll want to fill the trench back in with soil. Use a trowel to backfill any gaps and ensure the edging is secure and sturdy. If you're using edging stakes, hammer these in now, placing them every 3 to 6 inches along the perimeter. Use a mallet, not a metal hammer, to avoid breaking the stakes. You can also use plastic coupling to secure corners or odd angles.
Finally, water the edging to settle the soil. Walk along the edging with a garden hose, watering the soil lightly on both sides. You can then lightly step on the dampened soil to pack it down further if necessary.
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Installing stakes
First, determine the placement of your stakes. For effective stabilisation, it is recommended to place a stake every 3 to 6 inches or every 5 feet along the edging. You can use a measuring tape or a string to mark the placement of each stake.
Next, use a mallet to install the stakes. Hold the mallet with your dominant hand and gently tap the stakes into the ground inside the garden bed. It is important to use a mallet instead of a metal hammer, as a metal hammer can break the stakes. Make sure the stakes are installed securely and are flush with the ground.
If you are using straight or perpendicular stakes, they can be installed after the plastic edging has been placed in the trench. Ensure that the edging is level and even before beginning to hammer in the stakes.
After installing the stakes, you may want to consider using plastic coupling to further secure the edging. This is especially useful for securing corners or odd angles. However, if you have made accurate cuts and properly backfilled the trench, this step may not be necessary.
Finally, backfill the trench with soil or dirt to fill in any remaining gaps. Use a trowel or shovel to gently move the dirt into the trench, being careful not to shift the plastic edging. Lightly pat the dirt down with your hand to settle it into place.
By following these steps, you will ensure that your plastic garden bed edging is securely staked and stabilised, preventing any unwanted movement and ensuring a neat and tidy appearance for your garden.
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Watering the edging
Firstly, you should lightly water the soil on both sides of the edging. Use a garden hose and walk along the newly installed edging, watering the soil as you go. Ensure that the soil becomes moderately damp, but there is no need to saturate or flood it. This step helps to settle the soil and enhance the overall stability of your edging.
If you have accurately measured, cut, and installed your plastic edging, it should remain in place without requiring additional security measures. However, if you desire extra stability, you can consider using plastic coupling to join pieces together or installing stakes. Stakes can be hammered into the ground using a mallet, providing added support to your edging.
Plastic garden bed edging is an excellent choice for a neat and tidy garden. It is a wallet-friendly and relatively easy DIY project that can be completed within a few hours. By following these watering instructions and properly installing your edging, you will achieve a well-defined and aesthetically pleasing garden bed.
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Frequently asked questions
Use a piece of rope or string to outline the garden bed where you plan to install the edging. Then, measure the rope with a tape measure to determine how much edging you'll need.
First, dig a trench around the garden bed that is 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging. Then, place the edging in the trench with the lip pointing towards the garden bed. If you need multiple rolls of edging, use a connector to attach the ends. Finally, fill the trench with soil and install a stake every 3 to 6 inches or every 5 feet along the edging.
Lightly water the edging to settle the soil. Then, use your hands to backfill any gaps between the garden bed and the lawn with soil. Check that the edging feels sturdy and add more soil if necessary.
