Omar Khalid
Plastic lawn edging is a flexible, wallet-friendly and relatively easy DIY project that can be used to distinguish a garden bed from the rest of a lawn, making your garden look neat and tidy. It is also safe for children and pets, made from non-toxic, BPA-free plastic, and is eco-friendly, made from recycled plastic. To install plastic lawn edging, you will need to first measure the perimeter of your garden bed using rope to determine how much edging you need. Then, dig a trench around the garden bed and cut away any roots. Next, place the edging in the trench and fill it in with soil. Finally, install edging stakes to secure the edging in place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To distinguish a garden bed from the rest of a lawn, making your garden look neat and tidy |
| Installation | Dig a trench around the garden bed, fill the trench with soil, and install edging stakes |
| Measurement | Measure the perimeter of the garden bed using rope to determine how much edging is needed |
| Depth | Dig a trench that is 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging |
| Ease of installation | Easy to install, no need to dig or bury; simply stake into the ground every 2-3 holes to secure the edging |
| Flexibility | Plastic borders are flexible and can be easily shaped and molded to fit any curve or angle |
| Maintenance | Plastic borders require minimal maintenance and can be cleaned with a hose or power washer if necessary |
| Eco-friendliness | Plastic borders are made of recycled plastic, which is sustainable and environmentally friendly |
| Safety | Plastic borders are safe for children and pets, made of non-toxic, BPA-free plastic, and have no sharp edges |
| Customization | Plastic borders can be easily cut to fit specific sizes and shapes using a saw or heavy-duty scissors |
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What You'll Learn
Planning and measuring
Planning:
Before you begin installing your plastic garden border, it's important to plan the layout of your garden bed or lawn border. Decide on the shape and design you desire. You can use rope or twine to outline the desired shape of your garden bed. This will help you visualize the layout and make any necessary adjustments. Consider the functionality and aesthetics of your garden border to achieve your desired outcome.
Measuring:
Once you're satisfied with the design, it's time to measure accurately. Use a tape measure to determine the length of the rope or twine outline. This measurement will give you an idea of how much plastic edging you'll need to purchase. Add about 10% to the total length to account for waste and any cutting errors.
If you need multiple rolls of edging, plan to use connectors to attach the ends of the rolls together. These connectors are typically included in plastic lawn edging kits. Mark the ground with environmentally safe paint to indicate the curvature of your desired design. This will guide your digging process.
Additionally, consider the depth and width of the trench you'll need to dig. The trench depth should typically range from 3 to 6 inches, depending on the height of your plastic edging. The trench should be wide enough to accommodate the width of the edging, with an additional 2 inches for wiggle room.
If you're installing interlocking plastic borders, ensure you have the necessary tabs to connect the pieces together. These borders often come in sections, so plan accordingly if you need to create a longer border.
By taking the time to plan and measure carefully, you'll have a clear idea of the materials needed and the layout of your plastic garden border, setting yourself up for a successful installation process.
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Digging a trench
First, measure the perimeter of your garden bed using a rope. This will help you determine how much edging you will need and how long your trench should be. Mark the outline of the garden bed with environmentally safe marking paint or twine, creating a design that suits your preferences. Ensure that the rope follows the curvature of the bed and that you are satisfied with the shape.
Once the design is finalized, use a round point shovel or spade to dig a trench along the marked outline. The trench should be straight and level, with a uniform depth of approximately 3 to 6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm). It should be deep enough to allow the edging to stand about half an inch above ground level. Create a vertical "wall" by digging straight down, providing a sturdy support for your plastic edging.
If you encounter tree roots during the digging process, cut them away to ensure a smooth trench. Additionally, if your trench needs to be longer than one roll of plastic edging, use a connector to join multiple rolls together. Place the connector pieces that come with the kit onto the ends of each roll, pushing them down firmly until they feel securely attached.
Remember to dig a trench that is slightly wider than the width of your chosen plastic edging. A width of 2 inches is usually sufficient. Once your trench is dug, you can proceed to the next step of installing your plastic garden border.
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Placing the edging
To place the edging, start by measuring the perimeter of your garden bed using a rope to determine how much edging you'll need. Then, use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the rope's curvature. Once the paint is dry, cut it and use a tape measure to get the length. Add 10% to the total length to account for waste.
Next, dig a trench around the garden bed. The trench should be 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging. If you come across large tree roots, avoid that spot and cut away any roots that get in the way. If your trench is longer than one roll of plastic edging, use a connector to join the rolls.
Now, place the edging in the trench with the lip pointing towards the garden bed. Set each strip in the trench roughly where it needs to go, keeping a trowel handy to dig or backfill any spaces. Before hammering in the stakes, ensure the edging is even.
Finally, install a stake every 3 to 6 inches along the edging's perimeter. Use a mallet to hammer the stakes in from the inside of the garden bed. Start by placing the pointed tip of the stake into the V at the bottom of the edging, with the short, bent part facing down. Hammer the stakes at a 25-degree angle, ensuring they are not pounded straight down or at a 45-degree angle.
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Filling the trench
Once you've dug your trench, placed your edging, and installed your stakes, it's time to fill the trench with soil. Use a shovel to place the soil you previously dug up back into the trench. Be sure to fill the soil to a height where only the top half or one-third of the edging is visible. The top border of the edging can stick out approximately half to three-quarters of an inch.
If you're using multiple rolls of edging, fill in the soil around the connector pieces. Starting three inches in from the beginning of the edging, place the pointed tip of the stake into the V at the bottom of the edging. The end you'll hit with a hammer is bent at a ninety-degree angle. Be sure the short, bent part is facing down. Don't pound the stakes straight down into the ground, but at a very flat angle, twenty-five degrees maximum.
Before adding more soil, install the stakes. Place landscape stakes every three to six inches along the perimeter. Use a mallet to install them from the inside of the garden or flower bed for garden edging. Avoid using a metal hammer, as this will break the stakes. If you made accurate cuts and properly backfilled, you may not need to use stakes.
Gently move the dirt to avoid shifting your new plastic edging, and gently pat it down with your hand. Pull the soil down from the bed-side so that it's two-thirds of the way up the edging, and stomp on the soil along the edging. This sets the soil hard into the V at the bottom, preventing the edging from heaving out in spring. Next, filter soil through your hands into the narrow gap left between the edging and the lawn-side. Get some soil on the outside of the edging, too, so the grass will grow back tight to the edging.
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Securing the edging
Now that you have dug a trench and placed your plastic edging, it is time to secure the edging. If you are using multiple rolls of edging, use a connector to attach the ends of the rolls. You can also use plastic coupling to secure corners or odd angles together.
Next, install stakes to secure the edging. Place a stake every 3 to 6 inches along the edging's perimeter. Start by placing the pointed tip of the stake into the V at the bottom of the edging. The end you will hammer in should be bent at a ninety-degree angle. Ensure that the short, bent part is facing down. Now, use a mallet to hammer the stakes in at a 25-degree angle, maximum. If you are hammering the stakes from the inside of the garden or flower bed, do so at a 45-degree angle to avoid the edging being forced out by frost.
Finally, fill the trench with soil and pack it tightly around the edging to hold it in place. Use a trowel or shovel to backfill dirt into the trench on both sides. Move the dirt gently to avoid shifting the new edging, and pat it down with your hand. You can also pull the soil down from the bed-side so that it’s two-thirds of the way up the edging, and stomp the soil in right along the edging.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use rope or twine to measure the outline of your garden bed, then use a tape measure to determine the length of the rope. This will give you an idea of how much edging you will need.
First, dig a trench around your garden bed. Place the plastic edging in the trench, ensuring the lip is pointing toward the bed and not the lawn. If you need multiple rolls, use a connector to attach the ends. Fill the trench with soil and install a stake every 3 to 6 inches along the edging.
Plastic borders require minimal maintenance as they are durable and weather-resistant. They can be cleaned with a hose or power washer if necessary.
