Maya Ellison
Plastic lawn edging is a great way to give your garden a neat and tidy look. It's a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to upgrade your garden and can be done in a few hours. Plastic edging can be used to distinguish a garden bed from the rest of a lawn, giving your landscaping a clean look. It also acts as a barrier, helping to keep mulch where it belongs and prevent grass and weeds from growing in unwanted areas. To install plastic edging, you'll need to measure the area, dig a trench, cut the edging to size, place it in the trench, and secure it with stakes. You can purchase plastic edging and other materials from gardening centers and home improvement stores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Plastic edging is used to distinguish a garden bed from the lawn, giving a neat and tidy look. It also acts as a barrier to prevent weeds and keep mulch in place. |
| Preparation | Measure the desired area with a flexible measuring tape or string. Mark the outline with rope and trace with environmentally safe paint. Allow the plastic edging to lay in the sun to make it easier to shape. |
| Installation | Dig a trench along the marked outline, removing any roots. Place the edging in the trench and use stakes to secure it in place, hammering at a 45-degree angle. Fill the trench with soil and water lightly to settle the soil. |
| Tips | Kits are available with edging pieces, stakes, and connectors for odd angles. Use a connector for trenches longer than one roll of edging. Avoid the cheapest options as they may not last. |
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What You'll Learn
Measuring the area
Step 1: Outline the Area
Use a piece of rope, twine, or string to outline the area you want to edge. Lay the rope along the desired path, following the shape of your garden bed or border. If you plan to edge around a garden bed, lay the rope around the perimeter, creating a curved or straight line as desired. This step helps you visualise the edging path and make any adjustments before finalising the measurements.
Step 2: Measure the Rope
Once you are satisfied with the layout, use a tape measure to measure the length of the rope. This will give you an idea of how much plastic edging you will need to purchase. Make sure to add a little extra length, approximately 10% more, to account for waste and any cutting errors. This step ensures you have enough edging material to complete the project without running out.
Step 3: Mark the Edging Path
After measuring the rope, use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the outline on the ground. Follow the curvature or straight lines created by the rope to mark the path for your plastic edging. This step ensures that you have a clear guide when it's time to dig your trench and install the edging.
Step 4: Plan the Trench
Before you start installing the plastic edging, it's important to plan the trench you will dig. The trench should be deep enough to accommodate the edging height, typically 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) deep. Additionally, the width of the trench should be slightly larger than the width of your plastic edging, usually about 2 inches (5.1 cm) wider. This planning step ensures that your plastic edging will fit securely in the trench.
By following these steps for measuring the area, you will have a clear understanding of the required materials and a precise guide for installing your plastic edging. Remember to take your time and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a neat and functional finish for your landscaping project.
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Digging a trench
Now, it's time to start digging! Use a round point shovel or spade to dig a trench along the edges of the bed, following the marking paint as your guide. Dig the trench to a uniform depth of 3 to 6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm). The depth of the trench should allow the edging to stand about half an inch above ground level. As you dig, create a vertical "wall" that will support the edging. The width of the trench should be slightly larger than the width of the edging—approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm) is generally sufficient.
Keep the soil that you dig up close by, as you will be using it again soon to fill in the trench and provide stability for your edging. If you are installing edging around a circular perimeter, you can skip the step of flattening the plastic edging, and simply cut it to size and place it in the trench.
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Placing the edging
To place the edging, first, unroll the plastic lawn edging and lay it flat on the ground a day before installation. This will help the plastic limber up and make it easier to shape and use. If it keeps curling, place a rock or another lightweight object on each end.
Next, dig a trench around the garden bed where the edging will be placed. The trench should be deep enough to let the edging stand about half an inch above ground level. The width of the trench should be slightly larger than the width of the edging. Cut away any roots in the trench.
Then, place the edging in the trench. If the trench is longer than one roll of plastic edging, use a connector to join the two ends. Use a trowel to backfill any spaces with the soil that was removed earlier. Before hammering in the stakes, ensure the edging is even. Place landscape edging stakes every 3 to 6 inches along the perimeter. Use a mallet to hammer the stakes from the inside of the garden bed. Finally, fill the trench with soil. The edging should be stable and only the top half or one-third of the edging should be visible.
Water the area lightly with a garden hose to settle the soil. The edging should feel sturdy all around. Add more soil to areas that need more support.
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Filling the trench
Firstly, ensure you have dug a trench that is slightly wider than the width of the edging. The trench should be between 3 and 6 inches deep, depending on the depth of the leading you plan to use. It is important to dig straight down to create a vertical "wall" that will support the edging. If your trench is longer than one roll of edging, use a connector to attach the ends of the rolls.
Now it's time to fill the trench with the soil you previously dug up and set aside. Use a shovel to carefully place the soil back into the trench, filling it to a height where only the top 1/2 or 1/3 of the decorative edge is visible. The edging should protrude approximately half to three-quarters of an inch above the ground.
As you fill the trench, use a trowel or the back of your shovel to gently pack the dirt in, ensuring the edging is firmly in place. You can also use your hands to gently pat down the soil as you go. This step is important to prevent any shifting of the edging. If you have access to a rototiller, you can use this instead of a shovel to fill in the trench.
Finally, compact the soil by gently stomping along the edging with your feet. The soil should be slightly higher than ground level, as it will settle over time with rain or watering. Watering the area with a garden hose will also help settle the soil. If you notice any areas that need more support or require raising, add more soil to those spots.
By carefully following these steps, you will successfully fill the trench, creating a sturdy and neat foundation for your plastic edging.
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Securing the edging
Securing your plastic edging is a crucial step in ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of your garden border. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:
Firstly, it is important to allow your plastic edging to uncurl and flatten out before securing it in place. To do this, unroll the plastic edging a day or two before installation and lay it flat on the ground in sunlight. The warmth of the sun will make the plastic more malleable and easier to work with. If you are in a hurry, an hour of sunlight may be sufficient. You can also use a connector if your trench is longer than one roll of plastic edging. Simply slide the connector onto the end of each roll so that the ends meet in the middle, and firmly push them together for a sturdy connection.
Once your edging is ready, dig a trench along the desired path. The trench should be deep enough to allow the edging to stand about half an inch above ground level, usually around 3 to 6 inches deep. The width of the trench should be slightly larger than the width of your edging. If you encounter tree roots, cut them away as needed.
Now it's time to secure the edging. Place your edging in the trench, ensuring it is as even as possible. Use a trowel to backfill any spaces with the soil you dug up earlier, gently patting it down with your hand. If you are using stakes, place them every 3 to 6 inches along the perimeter. Hammer the stakes in at a 45-degree angle from the inside of the garden bed using a mallet (avoid using a metal hammer as it may break the stakes). You can also use plastic coupling to secure corners or odd angles together if needed.
Finally, lightly water the area with a garden hose to settle the soil further. Your edging should now feel sturdy and secure all around. Add more soil to any low-lying spots if necessary, raising the edging to the desired height.
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Frequently asked questions
First, measure the outline of the garden bed using rope. Then, lay the rope along the bed in the desired shape and use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature. Once the paint is dry, cut the rope to size and use a tape measure to determine the length.
Unroll the plastic edging and lay it flat on the ground a day before installation. If it keeps curling, place a lightweight object on each end. Leaving the plastic edging in the sun will make it easier to shape.
You will need a shovel or spade to dig a trench, garden shears or a utility knife to cut the plastic edging, and a mallet to hammer in the edging stakes. You may also need a trowel for backfilling and a garden hose to settle the soil.
