Maya Ellison
Plastic landscape edging is a great way to give your garden beds, borders, and outdoor spaces a clean, finished look. It is flexible and easy to work with, and inexpensive, making it a popular choice for those looking to upgrade their landscapes. Installing plastic edging can be a quick and easy DIY project, and with the right tools and preparation, you can achieve a neat and manicured look for your yard. This introduction will cover the steps to take before and during the installation process, as well as some tips and tricks for a successful and long-lasting result.
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What You'll Learn
Planning and measuring
First, you need to measure the perimeter of your garden bed to determine how much edging you'll require. You can use a flexible measuring tape or string, running it along the desired path for your edging. This will help you calculate the required length of plastic edging. Remember to add 10% to the total length to account for any waste.
Next, you should prepare the area by digging a trench around your garden bed. The trench depth can vary from 2 to 6 inches, depending on the height of your edging and personal preferences. Make sure the trench is slightly wider than the width of the edging, usually around 2 inches. Keep the soil you've dug out close by, as you'll need it later. If possible, prepare the soil inside the bed before installing the edging.
Before installing the edging, it's a good idea to unroll it and lay it flat on the ground, preferably in the sun. This will make it easier to shape and use. If your edging comes in a roll, leaving it unrolled for a day or two can help remove curls and make it easier to work with.
Now, you're ready to install the edging. Place the edging into the trench, ensuring that the lip or the curled-up "V" at the bottom faces towards your garden bed and not the lawn. If you need multiple rolls, use connectors to attach the ends seamlessly. Make sure the edging is firmly in place and follows the desired path.
Once you're happy with the placement, it's time to secure the edging. You can use wooden or metal stakes for this step. Install a stake at every 3 to 5 feet along the edging, placing them at a slight angle or a 45-degree angle to avoid the edging being forced out by frost. Hammer the stakes into the ground next to the edging, ensuring the pointed tip goes through the "V" at the bottom.
Finally, you can add water using a garden hose to settle the soil and firmly hold your plastic edging in place. You can lightly step on the dirt to compact it further if needed.
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Digging a trench
Use a round point shovel or spade to dig a neat trench along the edges of the bed, following the marking paint if you have created one. The width of the trench should be slightly larger than the width of the edging, with approximately 2 inches being sufficient for most edging types. Keep the soil that you have dug up close by, as you will be using it again later in the installation process.
If you plan to secure the edging with stakes, it is recommended to hammer them in at a slight angle, specifically at a 45-degree angle, to avoid the edging being forced out by frost. This can be done by placing the stake into the soil next to the top of the edging, with the pointed tip facing towards the "V" shape at the bottom.
Before installing the stakes, it is important to stomp your outward curves. Push the edging outwards along the curve and stomp along it with your feet to flatten and compact the soil. This will help to hold the edging in place and ensure a tight fit.
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Positioning the edging
Firstly, it is important to determine the placement of your plastic landscape edging. Measure the desired area using a flexible measuring tape, string, or rope, and run it along the path you want your edging to follow. This will help you understand how much edging material you will need. It is recommended to add 10% to the total length to account for any waste.
Once you have measured and purchased the appropriate amount of edging, it is time to start installing. Begin by digging a trench along the path you have marked. The trench should be 2 to 6 inches deep, depending on the height of your edging, and about 1 to 2 inches wide. Keep the soil you remove nearby, as you will use it later.
Now, lay the edging into the trench. Ensure that the lip or "V" shape at the bottom of the edging is facing towards your garden bed and not the lawn. Curve the edging along the trench, loosely installing it in place. If you are using multiple rolls of edging, use connectors to attach the ends.
Before securing the edging with stakes, stomp along the curves of the edging with your feet to flatten the soil and push the edging outwards. This will help create a tighter curve. You can also pull soil towards the edging to support it.
Finally, install the stakes to secure the edging in place. Place a stake every 3 to 5 feet along the edging, positioning them right next to the top of the edging. The stakes should be hammered in at a slight angle, usually at 45 degrees, to avoid the edging being forced out by frost. Make sure the pointed tip of the stake is facing towards the "V" shape at the bottom of the edging.
By following these steps, you will ensure that your plastic landscape edging is positioned correctly and securely.
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Securing with stakes
Plastic landscape edging is a great way to give your garden beds a clean, finished look. It is also an inexpensive and DIY-friendly way to upgrade your landscape. The process is relatively simple and can be done in a few hours.
To secure your plastic edging with stakes, start by measuring the perimeter of your garden bed to determine how much edging you will need. Then, dig a trench around your garden bed that is 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging. Place the edging in the trench with the lip or "V" shape at the bottom pointing towards the garden bed, not the lawn. Fill the trench with soil, tightly packing it down.
Now you are ready to install the stakes. Place a stake in the soil next to the top of the edging, with the pointed tip facing towards the "V" shape at the bottom. Hammer the stake at a slight angle, or at a 45-degree angle, so that the pointed tip goes through the edging. Install a stake every 3-5 feet along the edging to provide stability.
If you are using wooden stakes, you can cut your edging one side at a time, gluing each end to the wooden stake as you go. If you are using plastic edging that comes in a roll, unroll it and leave it outside for a day or two to make it easier to shape and use.
Finally, water the area lightly with a garden hose to settle the soil. You can also step on the dirt to pack it down further if needed.
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Finalising the edging
First, ensure that the soil is tightly packed and compact. Stomp along the curves of the edging with your feet to flatten and compact the soil. Push the edging outwards along the curve to ensure it is tight and secure. This is an important step as it will prevent the edging from being forced out by frost or other weather conditions.
Next, install stakes to provide stability to your plastic edging. Place a stake at every 3 to 5 feet along the edging, positioning it right next to the top of the edging. The pointed tip of the stake should be facing towards the "V" shape at the bottom of the edging. Use a rubber mallet or hammer to drive the stake into the ground, ensuring it goes through the edging. It is important to note that the stakes should be installed at a slight angle, not straight down. This will provide better support and prevent the edging from moving.
If you are using multiple rolls of plastic edging, use connectors to attach the ends of the rolls. These connectors are typically included in the plastic edging kits. Ensure you follow the instructions provided with your kit for proper installation.
Finally, water the area with a garden hose to settle the soil and firmly hold your plastic edging in place. You can lightly step on the dirt to pack it down further if needed. Collect any remaining plastic edging pieces and store them neatly for future use or potential repairs.
By following these steps, you will finalise your plastic landscape edging, resulting in a neat and manicured garden bed that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
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Frequently asked questions
Use a flexible measuring tape or string to measure the desired area. You can also lay rope or twine along the beds in the shape you desire and then use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature of the rope.
First, dig a trench around the garden bed that is 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging. Place the plastic edging in the trench so that the lip on the bottom is pointing toward your garden bed and not the lawn. If you need multiple rolls of edging, use a connector to attach the ends of the rolls. Finally, fill the trench in with soil and install a stake every 3-5 feet along the edging.
Place the pointed tip of the stake into the 'V' shape at the bottom of the edging. Hammer the part of the stake that is above the soil to make the pointed tip go through the edging. Stakes should be installed at a slight angle, not straight down.
Unroll the plastic edging and leave it in the sun for a day before installing it. The sun will warm the plastic and make it less curled, making it easier to shape and use. You can also stomp along the curves of the edging with your feet to flatten the soil and make it compact, pushing the edging outwards along the curve. Finally, water the area lightly with a garden hose to settle the soil.
