Ethan Clarke
Plastic edging is a great way to give your garden a clean, finished look. It is flexible, easy to work with, and economical. Installing plastic edging is a simple DIY project that can be completed in a few hours. To install plastic edging, you will need to measure the perimeter of your garden bed, dig a trench, place the edging, and secure it with stakes. This guide will take you through the steps to install plastic edging and give your garden a neat and tidy look.
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What You'll Learn
Planning and measuring
Planning
Before you begin installing plastic edging, it's important to plan the layout and design of your garden bed or border. Consider the shape you want to create, whether it's a straight or curved line, and the overall aesthetic you wish to achieve. Planning will ensure a more efficient installation process and help you achieve your desired results.
Measuring
Measuring accurately is essential to ensure you purchase enough plastic edging and create a neat and functional border. Here are the steps to follow:
- Measure the Perimeter: Use a flexible measuring tool such as rope or twine to outline the perimeter of your garden bed or border. This will help you determine the total length of edging required.
- Determine Edging Length: Once you're satisfied with the layout, measure the length of the rope with a tape measure. This measurement will indicate how much plastic edging you need to purchase. It's a good idea to add 10% to this length to account for waste and any cutting errors.
- Mark the Edging Path: Before digging, use grass-friendly spray paint, chalk, or environmentally safe marking paint to trace the path of your edging. This will ensure a straight or uniformly curved line and provide a clear guide for digging.
- Prepare the Edging Material: If your plastic edging comes in a coil or roll, it's advisable to unroll it and lay it flat in a sunny spot for a day or two. This helps straighten the material and makes it easier to work with.
By following these planning and measuring steps, you'll be well-prepared for the next stages of installing your plastic sidewalk edging.
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Digging a trench
Before digging the trench, it is important to measure the perimeter of the garden bed or the length of the desired path. This can be done by laying a rope, twine, or garden hose along the desired path and then using a tape measure to determine the length. This measurement will help determine how much plastic edging is needed for the project. It is recommended to add 10% to the total length to account for waste.
Once the measurements have been taken, the next step is to mark the path of the trench. This can be done by using environmentally safe marking paint to trace the desired path, or by using chalk or grass-friendly spray paint. It is important to ensure that the trench will be uniform in width and depth around the entire garden bed or path.
After marking the path, it is time to start digging. Using a spade, shovel, or turf edger, cut into the soil to a depth of 3-6 inches. The trench should be slightly wider than the width of the plastic edging, with 2 inches being sufficient for most edging. When digging, it is important to cut downward at an angle and to ensure that the trench is the same width all the way around. The soil that is removed can be kept close by, as it will be used to fill in the trench once the edging has been installed.
It is important to note that the trench should not be too deep or too wide, as this can affect the stability of the edging and the surrounding area. Additionally, it is recommended to pull up any weed-control fabric before beginning to dig, to ensure that the trench is clear of any obstructions.
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Placing the edging
To install plastic edging, you'll first need to measure the perimeter of your garden bed to determine how much edging you'll need. You can do this by laying out a piece of rope or twine along the bed, then measuring the rope with a tape measure. Don't forget to add 10% to the total length to account for waste.
Once you know the length of edging you require, it's a good idea to unroll it and leave it in the sun for about 60 minutes to make it easier to shape and use. If it keeps curling back up, place a rock or another lightweight object on each end to hold it down.
Now you're ready to start digging your trench. It should be around 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of your edging (2 inches is usually sufficient). Make sure to dig at an angle towards your cut so that the trench is the same width all the way around. If you're installing edging around a curved border, you can use a garden hose to mark the shape before you start digging.
When your trench is ready, place the plastic edging inside with the lip on the bottom pointing towards your garden bed. If you're using multiple rolls of edging, connect them with a connector.
Finally, fill the trench back in with soil and install stakes every 3 to 6 feet along the edging to hold it in place. Water the soil lightly to help it settle.
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Securing the edging
First, it is essential to dig a trench around the perimeter of the sidewalk. The trench should be deep enough to accommodate the plastic edging securely, typically ranging from 3 to 6 inches in depth. The width of the trench should be slightly larger than the width of the edging, with 2 inches being sufficient in most cases. Ensure that any weed-control fabric is removed before digging.
Next, place the plastic edging into the trench. The edging should have been unrolled and left in the sun beforehand to make it easier to work with. Position the edging so that the lip or bottom edge is pointing towards the area you want to contain, such as a garden bed. If multiple rolls of edging are required, use connectors to attach their ends together.
Now, it's time to secure the edging in place. While some types of plastic edging may not require additional security, there are several methods to enhance its stability:
- Stakes: Install stakes at regular intervals along the perimeter, typically every 3 to 6 feet. Hammer the stakes into the soil using a mallet, ensuring they are placed at a 45-degree angle to prevent the edging from being pushed out by frost.
- Filling the trench: Refill the trench with soil or dirt, compacting it gently with your hands or a tool. This helps to secure the edging and prevent movement.
- Watering: Lightly water the soil on both sides of the edging to settle the soil and compact it further.
- Plastic coupling: For corners or odd angles, consider using plastic coupling to join the pieces of edging together, providing additional stability.
By following these steps, you can effectively secure your plastic sidewalk edging, ensuring it remains in place and providing a neat and functional barrier.
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Filling the trench
First, keep the soil that you dug up earlier close by, as you will be using it to fill the trench. The width of the trench should be slightly larger than the width of the edging—approximately 2 inches is normally sufficient.
Next, fill the trench with soil. Be sure to fill in the dirt gently to avoid shifting the plastic edging. You can use your hands to pat the soil down and compact it. If you prefer, you can use a dirt compactor or a hose to compact the dirt.
Finally, install landscape stakes every 3 to 6 feet along the edging's perimeter. Place the stakes inside the garden bed or flower bed for garden edging. Hammer the stakes into the soil with a mallet, ensuring that they are installed at a 45-degree angle to avoid the edging being forced out by frost.
Once the stakes are in place, lightly water your garden or flower bed to help the dirt around the edging settle. You don't need to saturate or flood the soil—just make it moderately damp.
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Frequently asked questions
Measure the perimeter of your garden bed using rope or twine, then use a tape measure to determine the length of the rope. Add 10% to the total length to account for waste.
Dig a trench that is 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging.
Place the plastic edging in the trench so the lip on the bottom is pointing toward your garden bed. If you need multiple rolls of edging, use a connector to attach the ends of the rolls.
Install a landscape stake every 3 to 6 feet along the perimeter. Use a mallet to hammer the stakes into the soil from the inside of the garden bed.
Lightly water the soil on both sides of the edging to help the dirt settle.
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