Chloe Zhang
Plastic edging is an easy, wallet-friendly way to give your garden a neat and tidy look. It is a flexible material that can be used to create curved borders and round garden beds, providing a barrier to prevent grass roots from spreading into unwanted areas. To install plastic edging, you will need to measure and dig a trench, place the edging, secure it with stakes, and then backfill the trench with soil. Leaving the plastic edging in the sun for a few hours before installation will make it easier to work with and shape. It is recommended to use single pieces along curves and to join separate pieces with a coupler.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To give garden beds, borders and outdoor spaces a clean, finished and manicured look |
| Materials | Plastic edging, rope or twine, environmentally safe marking paint, tape measure, spade or shovel, water, soil, edging stakes, hammer, garden shears, line-marking spray paint, tin snips, garden hose |
| Preparation | Measure the garden bed or border, lay out the design using rope, trace the curvature with marking paint, cut the rope to size, measure the length of the rope, add 10% to the total length to account for waste, unroll the plastic edging and leave it in the sun to make it easier to shape, dig a trench along the edges of the bed |
| Installation | Place the plastic edging in the trench, bend it to fit the curves, cut and join separate pieces with a coupler, secure the edging with stakes, backfill the trench with soil, water the area to settle the soil |
| Tips | Use single pieces along curves, place stakes every 3 to 6 inches, use a mallet to install the stakes, use plastic coupling for corners or odd angles, fill gaps with soil, use a trowel or shovel to gently move the dirt |
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What You'll Learn
Planning your design
Firstly, decide on the purpose of your edging. Plastic edging can serve various functions, such as creating a neat and tidy finish to your garden beds, borders, or outdoor spaces, preventing weeds from spreading, or keeping mulch contained. Understanding the purpose will guide your design choices.
Next, sketch out the design of your garden bed or the area you want to edge. Consider the overall layout, the curves you want to create, and any existing features you want to work with or around. If you're creating a walkway, for example, mark the path with stakes and string, ensuring it's at least 36 inches wide for comfortable passage.
Then, measure the area to determine the required length and quantity of plastic edging. Use a tape measure to record the dimensions, and don't forget to add 10% to the total length to account for waste. This step will help you estimate the cost of your project, as you can find the price per foot or meter of plastic edging at your local home improvement store or online.
When you're happy with your design and measurements, it's time to mark out the area. Use flexible garden hoses to create the curves and straight lines of your flower bed. Lay a second hose about 6 inches out from the first one to establish the width of your trench. If you're working with an existing curved flower bed, you can simply follow its shape. Spray line-marking spray paint along the hoses to transfer the outline onto the ground.
Finally, before you begin installing your edging, prepare the ground. Cut straight into the soil along the marked lines, digging to a depth that accommodates the height of your plastic edging. The trench depth typically ranges from 3 to 6 inches. Remove the soil between the two lines to create a neat trench, and spread and pack the soil at the bottom until it's level.
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Preparing the ground
First, you need to measure the area you want to edge. Use a tape measure to determine the length of the border you need to cover. If you are edging a garden bed, you can lay a piece of rope or flexible hose along the bed to create the desired shape. Then, measure the rope or hose to get the required length of edging. Don't forget to add about 10% to account for waste.
Next, unroll the plastic edging and lay it flat on the ground in full sun for a couple of hours. This will make the plastic softer and easier to bend and shape. If it keeps curling, place a rock or another lightweight object on each end to hold it down. If you are installing edging around a circular perimeter, you can skip this step.
Now, it's time to dig a trench along the desired path of your edging. The trench should be at least 3-6 inches deep, depending on the height of your edging. The width of the trench should be slightly larger than the width of the edging, with an extra 1/2-1 inch of space above the edging to maintain uniformity. Make sure to remove any weed-control fabric before you start digging. Cut away any roots that may interfere with the trench.
Once you have dug the trench, spread the soil until it is level and compact. Stomp along the curves of the trench to flatten the soil and push the edging outwards. This will create a sturdy base for your edging.
Finally, place the plastic edging into the trench. Cut the edging with tin snips or garden shears according to your measurements. Plastic edging usually has a hollow channel at the top that should rest just above soil grade. Stand the edging against the outside edge of the trench. If you are using stakes to secure the edging, install them at this stage. Place the stakes every 3 to 6 inches, or even every foot for extra strength, and gently hammer them into the ground at a 45-degree angle.
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Cutting the edging
Cutting plastic edging is a straightforward process, but it requires careful preparation and execution to ensure a neat and functional finish. Here is a detailed guide on how to cut curved plastic edging:
Planning the Layout
Before cutting, it is essential to plan the layout of your garden bed or border. Use a flexible garden hose or rope to create the desired curves and straight lines. Place the hose or rope on the ground to form the shape you want, then use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature. This outline will guide your cutting and digging. If you are working with an existing curved flower bed, you can simply follow its shape without the need for hoses or ropes.
Measuring and Calculating
Use a tape measure to determine the length of the marked outline. This measurement will help you estimate how much plastic edging you need for your project. It is recommended to add 10% to the total length to account for waste and ensure you have enough material. Additionally, if you plan to join multiple strips of edging, consider adding a few extra inches to each strip to allow for overlap and prevent weeds from spreading between the joints.
This is the critical step where you cut your plastic edging to size. Using scissors, a utility knife, or tin snips, carefully cut the edging to the required length. If you need to cut through thicker plastic edging, tin snips are a good option. For curved areas, it is advisable to cut the edging into smaller sections to smoothly follow the marked line. Take your time with this step to ensure straight and even cuts, as proper cutting guarantees a perfect fit and a consistent look along your lawn's border.
Placing the Edging:
Once you have cut the edging to size, it's time to place it into the trench. Ensure that the edging sits snugly against the edges of the soil, following the curve of the trench. If you need to bend the plastic edging to fit tighter curves, you can soften it by laying it in full sun for a few hours or rolling it over a large barrel beforehand. Make sure the edging faces outward to create a clear boundary between your lawn and garden beds. Gently press the edging into the soil to confirm it sits flat, ensuring a smooth and uniform appearance.
Securing the Edging:
To enhance the stability of your plastic edging, you can use stakes and backfill the trench with soil. Place stakes every 2-4 feet along straight edges and every 2 feet along curves to help hold the shape. Hammer the stakes at a 45-degree angle from the inside of the trench through the edging into the soil on the opposite side. Backfill the trench with soil, using a shovel or spade, and lightly water the area to settle the soil. Finally, trim any excess plastic material extending beyond the trench with scissors or a utility knife for a neat and tidy finish.
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Placing the edging
Plastic edging is a great, wallet-friendly and relatively easy DIY project to give your garden a neat and tidy look. It is flexible and easy to work with, making it an excellent choice for curved borders and round garden beds. Here is a step-by-step guide to placing the edging:
Prepare the Ground:
First, lay out the design of your flower bed using flexible garden hoses to create the desired curves and straight lines. Use rope or twine if you prefer. Once you are satisfied with the design, trace the curvature with environmentally safe marking paint. Then, cut the rope to size and measure its length to determine how much plastic edging you will need. Don't forget to add 10% to account for waste.
Dig a Trench:
Now, dig a trench along the marked lines. The trench should be at least 3-6 inches deep, depending on the height of your edging, and slightly wider than the width of the edging. Use a spade, shovel, or half-moon edger to cut straight down into the soil along both lines, removing all the soil between them to create the trench.
Prepare the Edging:
If your plastic edging comes in a roll or coil, unroll it and lay it flat in full sun for a few hours to make it easier to work with. This step is especially important if you want to create curves, as the sun will soften the plastic, making it easier to bend and hold its shape.
Place the Edging:
Set the plastic edging in the trench. If your trench follows a curve, bend the plastic edging to fit the shape. You can roll the plastic over a large barrel beforehand to give it a natural bend. Try to use single pieces along curves to avoid noticeable joints. Cut the edging with tin snips or garden shears as needed, and use couplers to join separate pieces if necessary.
Secure the Edging:
Use stakes to secure the edging and prevent it from shifting. Place stakes every 3 to 6 inches, or at least every 5 feet, along the perimeter. Drive the stakes into the ground at a 45-degree angle from the inside of the garden or flower bed. Gently pound or hammer the stakes, being careful not to break them.
Backfill the Trench:
Finally, backfill the trench with dirt, using a trowel or shovel. Gently move the dirt to avoid shifting the edging and pat it down with your hand. Lightly water the area to settle the soil and give your edging a sturdy feel.
With these steps, you can easily place curved plastic edging to enhance the look of your garden beds and borders.
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Securing the edging
Firstly, it is important to let the plastic edging lie flat in the sun for a few hours before installation. This step will make the plastic softer and more pliable, making it easier to bend and shape to fit your desired curves. If the plastic continues to curl, place a rock or another lightweight object on each end to keep it flat.
Next, you will need to dig a trench along the desired path of your edging. The trench should be deep enough to accommodate the height of your plastic edging, usually between 3 to 6 inches. Make sure to keep the soil that you dig up, as you will use it later to backfill the trench.
Once you have prepared the trench, place the plastic edging into it. If your design includes curves, bend the plastic edging to fit the desired shape. For tighter curves, you can roll the plastic over a large barrel beforehand to create a natural bend. Try to use single pieces along curves, as joints can become more noticeable. If you do need to join separate pieces, use a coupler to hold them together, and overlap the pieces by about 5 inches to prevent weeds from spreading between them.
Now it's time to secure the edging in place. Use stakes and drive them into the ground at an angle next to the edging. For straight edging, hammer the stakes at a 45-degree angle to avoid the edging being forced out by frost. For curved edging, place the stakes every 3 to 6 feet, positioning them right next to the top of the edging. Then, hammer the part of the stake that is above the soil to force the pointed tip through the edging. You can also use landscape spikes to secure the edging, placing them every 12 to 18 inches along the edge.
Finally, backfill the trench with the soil you dug up earlier. Use a trowel or shovel to gently move the dirt into the trench, being careful not to shift the plastic edging. Pat the soil down with your hand and lightly water the area to settle the soil and give your edging a sturdy feel.
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Frequently asked questions
Measure the outline of the garden bed using rope. Then, measure the rope with a tape measure to determine how much edging you'll need.
Unroll the plastic edging and lay it flat in full sun for a few hours to make it easier to bend and shape.
Dig a trench along the garden bed, following the marking paint. The trench should be 3 to 6 inches deep and slightly wider than the edging.
Place the plastic edging in the trench and bend it to fit the curves. Secure the edging with stakes and fill the trench with soil.
Water the area with a garden hose to settle the soil. Add more soil to any low-lying spots and compact the soil by stomping with your feet.
