Ethan Clarke
Plastic landscape borders are a great, low-cost way to make your garden look neat and tidy. They are flexible and easy to work with, making them an excellent choice for curved borders and round garden beds. The installation process is relatively simple and can be completed in a few hours with basic household tools. The first step is to measure the length of the border you want to install and mark out the shape with rope or twine. You will then need to dig a trench and place your plastic edging into it, before filling the trench with soil and installing edging stakes to keep it in place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To distinguish a garden bed from the rest of a lawn, making your garden look neat and tidy |
| Tools | Shovel, tape measure, environmentally safe marking paint, hammer, mallet, pitchfork, claw, trenchmaster, E-Z Trencher |
| Materials | Plastic edging, lumber, mulch, soil, gravel, sand, railroad ties, bricks, concrete, stakes, paint, stain |
| Time | 2.5 hours (including prep time) to a few hours |
| Cost | $30 for 60 feet of plastic edging |
| Durability | A few months to a few years, depending on climate, type of edging, and exposure to sun |
Explore related products
![Landscape Edging 33FT,Garden Edging Borders [Extra Tall 4IN High] Flexible Lawn Edging Kit with 30pcs Stakes,Mini Plastic Fence for Landscaping Yard Flowerbeds,Grass-Black](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/616o5JwXoYL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Planning and measuring
Planning
Before you begin installing plastic landscape borders, it's essential to have a clear plan and gather the necessary tools and materials. Decide on the shape and layout of your garden beds or borders, considering the overall design of your landscape. Plastic edging is flexible and perfect for creating curved borders and round garden beds. You can use rope or twine to lay out the desired shape on the ground. If you're creating straight borders, you can use a tape measure to ensure precise lines.
Measuring
Once you're satisfied with the design, it's time to measure and mark the area. Use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope or twine. Allow the paint to dry, then cut the rope to size. Measure the length of the rope with a tape measure to determine the required amount of plastic edging. Add 10% to the total length to account for waste and ensure you have enough material.
Take measurements of the trench you need to dig. For plastic edging, a depth of 3 to 6 inches is standard, and a width of 2 inches is usually sufficient to fit the edging. You can use these measurements to create a consistent trench around your garden bed or border.
Additionally, consider the amount of lumber, mulch, and other materials you might need if you plan to include them in your design. Planning and measuring accurately will ensure a smooth installation process and help you achieve the desired look for your landscape borders.
Applying Bondo to Plastic: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![40 FT Landscape Edging No Dig [Extra Tall 4 Inch High] with 36 Spikes, Heavy-Duty Plastic Garden Edging Border (Black, 40FT)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71IGsiGZNRL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Digging a trench
Firstly, measure the length of the border you need to install. Use a tape measure to determine the required length, and add about 10% to this measurement to account for any waste. This extra length will ensure you have enough material and can accommodate any curves or bends in your border design. Mark the outline of your trench with environmentally safe marking paint to ensure straight and even lines.
Next, grab your tools. A round-point shovel or spade is the best tool for digging the trench. You will also need a pitchfork if you need to remove grass from the trench area. Start digging along the marked lines, ensuring the trench is narrow and deep enough to accommodate your plastic edging. A depth of 3 to 6 inches is generally recommended, and the trench should be wide enough to fit your plastic edging—usually about 2 inches in width. If you are using a machine like a trenchmaster or E-Z Trencher, follow the machine's instructions for safe and effective use.
As you dig, cut away any roots that may interfere with your plastic edging. If you are removing grass, use a pitchfork to lift it from the ground. Once you have dug the trench, place your plastic edging inside, ensuring it remains upright and holds its shape.
Finally, backfill the trench with loose soil. Pack the soil down firmly to secure the plastic edging in place. You can use a mallet or hammer to compact the soil further and ensure your edging is sturdy.
Remember to wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves and closed-toe shoes, when digging and handling tools.
Fixing Soft, Sticky Plastic: A DIY Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cutting the edging
To cut the edging, you will first need to measure the length you need to cover. Use a tape measure to figure out the length and write down the dimensions. This will help you determine what you need to cut later.
You can use a rope or twine to map out the desired shape of your garden bed or border. Once you're satisfied with the design, use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope. Allow the paint to dry, then cut the rope to size.
When measuring and cutting the edging, it's important to consider the type of edging you're using. For plastic edging, you'll typically need to dig a trench and place the edging inside, so make sure to add a few extra inches to your measurements to account for the depth of the trench.
If you're using lumber for your edging, you can create simple angled cuts to make more complex shapes like hexagons, parallelograms, or octagons. A compound miter saw can be useful for making these angled cuts.
Additionally, if you're cutting through the ground, an E-Z Trencher can be useful. It cuts a narrow trench and expels the soil to the side, making it easier to install plastic edging.
The Perfect Way to Hang Plastic Frames
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Placing the edging
Now you can begin placing the edging. Start by digging a trench along the marked line with a round-point shovel or spade. The trench should be narrow and deep enough to fit your plastic edging—typically around 3 to 6 inches deep and 2 inches wide should suffice. If you're using lumber, you may need to level the ground before laying the edging by digging a trench to create a solid base.
Once your trench is ready, place your plastic edging into it, ensuring it remains upright and holds its shape. Fill the trench with loose soil and pack it down, ensuring the edging is secure. If you want to be extra cautious, you can use a mallet to hammer stakes into the edging or tie pieces together with plastic coupling.
Finally, fill the soil back into the trench until only the top half or two-thirds of the edging is visible. The top border of the edging should stick out slightly, approximately half to three-quarters of an inch. And that's it! Your plastic landscape border is now installed and ready to enhance the curb appeal of your home.
Mounting Plastic Window Boxes: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Securing the edging
First, use a shovel to fill the trench back in with soil. Pack the soil down firmly to ensure there are no air pockets, which could cause the edging to shift. The soil should be filled to a height where only the top half to two-thirds of the edging remains visible. It is recommended to leave the edging slightly higher than the desired level, as you can always remove excess soil later.
Next, if you wish to secure the edging further, you can use plastic coupling to tie pieces together. Alternatively, you can use a mallet to hammer stakes into the ground alongside the edging. These stakes will provide additional support and prevent the edging from moving. Ensure that the stakes are hammered in at an angle near the bottom of the edging for maximum stability.
If you are installing the edging in particularly loose soil or an area prone to erosion, you may want to consider using a larger number of stakes to ensure the edging remains secure. Additionally, when placing the stakes, ensure they are close to the edging, as this will provide more support.
Finally, once the edging is secure, you can use a rake or your hands to smooth out the soil and create a neat, even finish. This will also help to ensure that the edging is level and at the correct height.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your plastic landscape edging is secure and will remain in place, providing a neat and tidy border for your garden or lawn.
How to Use Flex Seal Tape on Plastic
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Plastic landscape border is used to distinguish a garden bed from the rest of a lawn, making your garden look neat and tidy. It also keeps mulch where it belongs and helps prevent weeds from spreading.
Installing plastic landscape border is a relatively quick process. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the size of the area and the tools used.
Basic household tools like a shovel, tape measure, and hammer can be used for installation. For more efficient trench digging, a trenchmaster or E-Z Trencher can be used. A mallet and stakes can also be used for additional security.
It is recommended to dig 3 to 6 inches deep for plastic edging. The trench should be narrow and deep enough to fit the plastic edging, with 2 inches being sufficient in most cases.
Measure the length you need to cover with a tape measure and write down the dimensions. Add 10% to the total length to account for waste. Plastic edging typically comes in a coil and often maintains its coiled shape once unravelled.
