Chloe Zhang
Plastic lawn edging is a great way to make your garden look neat and tidy. It is a wallet-friendly, DIY-friendly way to give your garden beds, borders, and outdoor spaces a clean, finished look. To install plastic roll edging, you'll first want to measure the perimeter of your garden bed using rope to determine how much edging you'll need. Then, dig a trench around your garden bed and cut away any roots. Next, place the plastic edging in the trench with the lip pointing toward your garden bed. If you need multiple rolls of edging, use a connector to attach the ends of the rolls. Finally, backfill the trench with soil and install edging stakes to keep the edging firmly in place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To distinguish a garden bed from the rest of a lawn, making your garden look neat and tidy |
| Installation | Measure the perimeter of the garden bed, then dig a trench around it. Place the edging in the trench and fill it with soil. Install stakes to secure the edging. |
| Tools | Rope, tape measure, spade or shovel, garden shears, connector pieces, hammer, garden hose |
| Preparation | Unroll the plastic edging and lay it in the sun for a day or two to straighten it. |
| Maintenance | Water the edging to settle the soil. |
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What You'll Learn
Measuring the perimeter of your garden bed
Before installing plastic roll edging, it is important to measure the perimeter of your garden bed to determine how much edging you will need. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Outline the Garden Bed
Use a piece of rope to outline the perimeter of your garden bed. Lay the rope along the edge of your garden bed, following the shape and contour of the bed. This will give you a clear indication of the length of edging you require.
Step 2: Measure the Rope
Once you have the rope laid out, use a tape measure to determine its length. This will give you the total length of edging required. Make a note of the measurement. It is a good idea to add a little extra length to this measurement to account for any errors or adjustments that may be needed.
Step 3: Consider the Shape
If your garden bed has a simple shape, such as a rectangle or square, then measuring the perimeter is relatively straightforward. However, if your garden bed has an irregular shape, you may need to divide it into basic shapes and calculate the perimeter of each section.
Step 4: Calculate the Perimeter
To calculate the perimeter, add up the lengths of all the sides of your garden bed. For example, if your garden bed is rectangular and the length is 10 feet and the width is 5 feet, the formula would be:
> Perimeter = 2 x (length + width)
> Perimeter = 2 x (10 feet + 5 feet)
> Perimeter = 2 x 15 feet
> Perimeter = 30 feet
Step 5: Plan for Corners and Connections
Remember that you will need to account for corners and connections when installing the edging. If your garden bed has corners, you will need to ensure that the edging can be cut and joined effectively to create a neat finish.
By following these steps, you will be able to accurately measure the perimeter of your garden bed and determine the required length of plastic roll edging for your project. This will ensure that you purchase the correct amount of edging material and help you create a well-defined and tidy edge for your garden bed.
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Digging a trench
To install plastic roll edging, you'll need to start by digging a trench. This will create a place to lay your edging and help secure it in place. The trench should be 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of your edging—2 inches is usually sufficient. 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.
Use a shovel or a spade to dig the trench, and keep the soil you've dug out close by, as you'll be using it again soon. You can also use a rototiller or a specialised tool like a trenchmaster or E-Z Trencher if you want to save time and effort. Mark out the shape of your garden bed with rope or twine, then use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature. Dig straight down to create a vertical "wall" that will support the edging.
Before placing the edging in the trench, cut away any roots and trim the edging to size with tin snips, pruning shears, scissors, or a utility knife. The edging should be placed so that the lip on the bottom points towards the garden bed and not the lawn. If you're using multiple rolls, connect the ends with plastic coupling. Fill the trench with the soil you kept aside, forcing the edging against the wall of the trench and packing the dirt in as you go.
Finally, anchor the edging with stakes at 3 to 6-foot intervals. Use a rubber mallet to drive each stake at a slight angle from the lower outside face of the edging. Water the edging to settle the soil, and add more soil to any areas that need more support.
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Placing the edging in the trench
Once you've dug a trench around your garden bed, it's time to place the plastic edging. First, unroll the plastic edging and lay it outside in the sun for a day or two to keep it straight. If you're installing edging around a circular perimeter, you can skip this step. If the plastic edging continues to curl, place a lightweight object, such as a rock, on each end.
Next, place the edging in the trench. Make sure the lip on the bottom is pointing toward your garden bed and not the lawn. Push the edging firmly into the trench and against the garden bed. If you need multiple rolls of edging, use a connector to attach the ends of the rolls. Slide the connector onto the end of each roll, so the ends meet in the middle. Push the connector down onto each end firmly.
After placing the edging in the trench, fill the trench with soil. Use the soil you saved when you initially dug the trench. Pack the dirt in as you go to keep the edging firmly in place. Compact the soil by stomping along the edging with your feet. Keep adding soil until it's slightly higher than ground level as it will settle with the first rain or watering.
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Using connectors to attach multiple rolls
Plastic lawn edging is a great way to give your garden a neat and tidy look. It is easy to install and can be used to create clean breaks between the grassy areas and the planting beds. If you need to cover a large area, you may need to use multiple rolls of plastic edging. Here is a guide on how to use connectors to attach multiple rolls of plastic edging.
First, measure the perimeter of your garden bed using rope to determine how much edging you will need. This will help you plan where to place your connectors. It is recommended to add 10% to the total length to account for waste. Mark the outline of your garden bed with spray paint or environmentally safe marking paint, following the curvature of the rope.
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 your trench is longer than one roll of edging, this is where you will use connectors to join multiple rolls together.
To attach multiple rolls of plastic edging, use a connector to join the ends of the rolls. Slide the connector onto the end of each roll, so that the ends meet in the middle. Firmly push the connector down onto each end to ensure it is attached and sturdy. The connectors are typically 8 inches long, allowing for a good grip on the material. Superior connectors may have additional hardware to provide a more secure connection.
Finally, place your edging in the trench and fill it in with soil. Use a shovel to pack the soil down and ensure the edging feels sturdy all around. Add more soil to any low-lying spots to raise the edging and lightly water the area to settle the soil. Leave about half an inch of plastic edging uncovered at the top to ensure it remains visible.
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Filling the trench with soil
Firstly, ensure that you have placed the plastic edging in the trench with the lip pointing towards your garden bed. If you are using multiple rolls of edging, connect the ends of the rolls using a connector. The connector should be slid onto the end of each roll so that the ends meet in the middle, and then firmly pushed down so that it feels attached and sturdy.
Next, begin filling the trench with soil. Make sure the soil is packed tightly around the edging to secure it in place. It is recommended to install a stake every 5 feet (1.5 m) along the edging to provide additional support. Place the stake right next to the top of the edging and hammer it into the soil at a 45-degree angle. The pointed tip of the stake should be facing towards the "V" shape at the bottom, and you should hammer the part of the stake that is above the soil to make the tip go through the edging.
Once the trench is filled, water the soil lightly on both sides of the edging to settle it. You don't need to saturate the soil, just make it moderately damp. This will help to compact the soil around the edging and ensure that it is securely in place.
By following these steps, you will be able to securely fill the trench with soil and complete your plastic roll edging installation. This will enhance the appearance of your garden and create a neat barrier between your garden bed and lawn.
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Frequently asked questions
Measure the perimeter of your garden bed using rope to determine how much edging you'll need. Then, use a tape measure to measure the length of the rope.
If your plastic edging is curled from being packaged in a roll, unroll it and lay it outside in the sun for a day or two to straighten it.
First, dig a trench around your garden bed that is 3 to 6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging. Then, place the edging in the trench with the lip pointing toward your garden bed. If you need multiple rolls, use a connector to attach the ends. Finally, fill the trench with soil and install a stake every 5 feet.
You will need a tape measure, rope or twine, environmentally safe marking paint, a round point shovel or spade, and a hammer. You may also need a pair of scissors or a utility knife, and a garden hose.
Plastic edging lasts anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on your climate, the type of edging, and how exposed it is to the sun.
