Ethan Clarke
Plastic lawn edging is a great way to give your garden a neat and tidy look. It's an inexpensive and DIY-friendly way to distinguish a garden bed from the rest of your lawn. Installing plastic edging can be done in just a few hours and is a relatively simple process. To install plastic grass edging, you'll first need to measure the perimeter of your garden bed to determine how much edging you'll need. Then, you'll need to dig a trench around the garden bed and place the edging in the trench. Finally, you'll need to fill the trench with soil and install stakes to provide stability.
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What You'll Learn
Planning and measuring
You can purchase plastic edging from most gardening centres and home improvement stores. Plastic edging typically comes in 20 ft (6.1 m) lengths and ranges from 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) in height. The height of the edging is important, as it needs to be the right height so that a lawnmower won't get caught on it. It is recommended to use at least 4 inches and up to 6 inches to prevent grass from growing underneath the edging.
Once you have purchased the correct amount of edging, you may want to uncoil it and lay it flat in the sun for about an hour before installing it. This will help the edging to straighten out if it has been curled up in its packaging. You can use rocks or other lightweight objects to hold the ends down if they keep curling back. However, be careful not to use anything too heavy, as you don't want to bend the edging.
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Digging a trench
Once you have your measurements, you can start digging the trench. The trench should be around 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging. You can use a shovel or a spade to dig the trench, following the outline of your garden bed. Be sure to keep the dirt you dig out nearby, as you will need it later to fill in the trench.
If you are using a roll of edging, it is a good idea to unroll it a day or two before installation to allow it to flatten out. You can then place the edging in the trench, ensuring that the lip on the bottom is pointing towards your garden bed. If you are using multiple rolls of edging, use connectors to attach the ends.
Finally, fill in the trench with the dirt you set aside earlier. You can gently pat it down with your hand or use a garden hose to water the dirt and help it settle firmly, holding your plastic edging in place.
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Placing the edging
To place the edging, start by measuring 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. If you're satisfied with the design, use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the rope's curvature. Once the rope is dry, cut it to size.
Next, dig a trench around your garden bed. The trench should be 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging. If you're using an E-Z Trencher, it will cut a trench about 5 inches deep and 1 inch wide, expelling the soil to one side. If you're digging the trench manually, use a round point shovel or spade, following the marking paint.
Now, place the edging in the trench. Ensure that the lip on the bottom is pointing towards your garden bed and not the lawn. If your edging came in a roll, it's a good idea to unroll it a day or two before installation to allow it to flatten out. If you need multiple rolls of edging, use a connector to attach the ends.
Finally, fill the trench with soil. Install landscape stakes every 3 to 6 feet along the perimeter to provide stability. Use a mallet to hammer the stakes from the inside of the garden bed. Avoid using a metal hammer as it may break the stakes.
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Adding stakes
Firstly, determine the placement of the stakes. For effective reinforcement, it is recommended to place a stake at every 3 to 5 feet along the edging. Specifically, for a 20-foot length, 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 joining two pieces of edging, it is crucial to have stakes on both sides of the connector, even if they are very close together.
Now, you can start installing the stakes. Drive the stakes into the ground at a slight angle, positioning them right next to the top of the edging. The pointed tip of the stake should be directed towards the "V" shape at the bottom of the edging. Use a rubber mallet or a hammer to gently tap the stake into the ground. For plastic edging kits, steel anchoring stakes are typically provided, and they should be driven through pre-cut slots in the edging.
When securing joints and curves, it is essential to use extra stakes for added reinforcement. This is also crucial when installing the edging in regions with cold temperatures, as the ground may shift and heave during freezing conditions.
Finally, finish the process by backfilling both sides of the edging with soil. Lightly water the area with a garden hose to settle the soil and compact it firmly around the stakes and edging. Add more soil to any low-lying spots to ensure the edging is sturdy and level all around.
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Finalising the edging
Once you've laid out your plastic grass edging, the next step is to finalise the installation. Here are some detailed steps to help you complete the process:
Securing the Edging
Before filling in the trench, ensure that your edging is secure. You can do this by installing stakes along the perimeter of the edging. Place a stake every 3 to 6 feet, positioning them next to the top of the edging with the pointed tip facing the "V" shape at the bottom. Use a mallet to hammer the stakes into the soil gently. Avoid using a metal hammer, as it can break the stakes. These stakes provide stability to your plastic grass edging, ensuring it stays firmly in place.
Filling the Trench
Now, it's time to fill in the trench with soil. Use a trowel or shovel to carefully backfill the dirt into the trench on both sides of the edging. Be gentle and try not to disturb the positioning of your newly laid edging. Once the trench is filled, gently pat down the soil with your hand to compact it slightly.
Watering
Watering the soil will help it settle more firmly, further securing your plastic grass edging. Use a garden hose and walk alongside your edging, watering the freshly filled-in dirt. You can also lightly step on the dampened dirt to pack it down even more if needed.
Maintenance and Clean-up
After completing the installation, collect any leftover plastic edging pieces and neatly roll or stack them for storage. These extra pieces will come in handy if you ever need to replace or extend your edging in the future. Regularly maintain your edging by checking for any weeds or grass that may begin to grow through. Pull out any unwanted vegetation by hand or use a safe weed killer to prevent it from spreading.
By following these steps, you can finalise the installation of your plastic grass edging, leaving your garden with a neat and tidy finish.
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Frequently asked questions
First, measure the perimeter of your garden bed using rope or twine to determine how much edging you'll need.
Next, you'll want to dig a trench around your garden bed. The trench should be 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging.
Place the plastic edging in the trench with the lip pointing towards your garden bed. If you need multiple rolls of edging, use a connector to attach the ends.
Fill the trench with soil and install stakes every 3 to 6 feet along the edging. Hammer the stakes into the soil using a mallet or a rubber hammer, not a metal one.
Water the soil around the edging to help it settle. You can also lightly step on the dirt to pack it down. Your plastic grass edging is now installed!
