Omar Khalid
Plastic lawn edging is a popular, wallet-friendly and relatively easy way to give your garden a neat and tidy look. It is also a great way to prevent grass from growing in unwanted areas. When installing plastic edging, it is important to ensure that the edging is not placed too high, as it may be hit by a lawnmower. The edging should be placed deep enough so that only the top half or third of the circle is visible. Additionally, the lip or curled-up V at the bottom of the edging should face the garden bed and not the lawn. This will ensure that the grass roots do not grow under the edging. To secure the edging, stakes can be installed at a 45-degree angle, and the trench should be filled with soil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Plastic lawn edging is used to distinguish a garden bed from the lawn, giving the garden a neat and tidy look. |
| Installation | To install plastic lawn edging, start by measuring the perimeter of the garden bed using rope. Then, dig a trench around the garden bed, ensuring it is deep enough (3-6 inches) so that the edging does not stick out of the ground. Place the edging in the trench with the lip or curled-up "V" at the bottom facing towards the bed, not the lawn. Fill the trench with soil and install stakes to secure the edging. |
| Maintenance | Water the edging to settle the soil and backfill any gaps. Ensure the edging is sturdy and add more soil if needed. |
| Considerations | Some gardeners prefer metal edging over plastic due to its durability and aesthetic appeal. Plastic edging may be considered less aesthetically pleasing and can be prone to breaking, cutting, and splintering over time. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic edging installation tools
Plastic edging is an easy and cost-effective way to enhance your garden beds and borders. It is flexible and simple to install, and can be accomplished in a few hours. Here are some tools that will help you install plastic edging:
Rope or Twine
First, you need to measure the perimeter of your garden bed to determine how much edging you will need. Rope or twine can be used to outline the desired path for your edging. Lay the rope or twine along the beds in the shape you want, then use environmentally safe marking paint to trace the curvature. Once the paint is dry, cut the rope to size and measure its length with a tape measure.
Shovel or Spade
After measuring, you will need to dig a trench along the edges of the bed. A round point shovel or spade is ideal for this. The trench should be 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging. Keep the soil that you dig up close by, as you will use it later to fill in the trench once the edging is in place.
Pruning Shears or Knife
Before placing the edging in the trench, you may need to cut away any small roots that are in the way. Pruning shears are useful for this. You may also need to trim the edging to length, which can be done with a serrated bread knife, utility knife, or scissors.
Hammer
Once the edging is in the trench, install stakes every 5 feet along the edging to provide stability. The pointed tip of the stake should go through the "V" shape at the bottom of the edging. Use a hammer to gently pound the stake into the ground at a flat angle, no more than 25 degrees.
Garden Hose
Finally, water the edging to settle the soil. Walk along your newly installed edging with a garden hose and lightly water the soil on both sides. This will help the dirt to settle firmly, holding your plastic edging in place.
With these tools and a bit of preparation, you can easily install plastic edging to give your garden a clean and finished look.
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How to measure for plastic edging
Plastic edging is an easy DIY project that can be completed in a few hours. It is a wallet-friendly way to give your garden beds, borders, and outdoor spaces a clean, neat, and tidy look. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to measure for plastic edging:
Step 1: Outline the Area
Use rope or twine to outline the garden bed or the area you want to edge. You can lay the rope along the beds in the shape and design you desire. This will help you visualize the edging and determine the amount of plastic edging you need.
Step 2: Measure the Rope
Once you are satisfied with the outline, use a tape measure to measure the length of the rope. This measurement will give you an idea of how much plastic edging to purchase for your project. It is recommended to add 10% to the total length to account for waste.
Step 3: Prepare the Trench
After measuring, you can start preparing the trench. Dig a trench around the garden bed, ensuring it is deep enough for the plastic edging. The recommended depth is around 3 to 6 inches. The trench should be slightly wider than the width of the edging to ensure a proper fit. Remove any small roots that may interrupt the trench, and use marking paint to trace the path of the trench.
Step 4: Place the Edging
Place the plastic edging into the trench, ensuring that the lip or the curled-up "V" at the bottom is facing towards the garden bed and not the lawn. If you are using multiple rolls of edging, use connectors to attach the ends.
Step 5: Secure with Stakes
Before filling the trench with soil, install stakes to secure the plastic edging. Place the stakes at intervals of 3 to 5 feet along the edging. The stakes should be installed at a slight angle, pounded in at a maximum of a 25-degree angle.
Step 6: Fill the Trench
Finally, fill the trench with soil, backfilling it to secure the edging in place. Use a trowel or shovel to gently pack the dirt into the trench, ensuring that the edging feels sturdy. Lightly water the area to settle the soil and add more soil if needed to raise the edging to the desired level.
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Preparing the ground for plastic edging
The next step is to dig a trench along the marked outline. The trench should be deep enough to accommodate the edging with only the top half or third visible above ground. A depth of 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) is typically recommended, but this may vary depending on the height of your edging. Make sure to dig straight down to create a vertical "wall" that will support the edging. Use a shovel or a spade to dig a neat trench, and cut away any small roots that interrupt the trench with pruning shears. Leave any large tree roots and simply cut the edging to accommodate them.
Before placing the edging, it is a good idea to unroll it a day or two in advance to allow it to flatten out, especially if it was packaged in a roll. If possible, leave it in the sun to make it less curled and easier to shape. Now, place the edging into the trench, ensuring the lip or curled-up "V" at the bottom is facing towards the garden bed and not the lawn. Push the edging firmly against the wall of the trench, and use a connector to attach multiple rolls of edging if needed.
Finally, you are ready to fill in the trench and secure the edging. Start by installing stakes to provide stability. Pound the stakes into the ground at a slight angle, no more than 25 degrees. Place the stakes about 3-4 feet apart, with one at the start, one at the end, and additional ones evenly spaced in between. Now, backfill the trench with the soil you removed earlier, packing it in firmly around the edging and the stakes. Use your hands or a shovel to compact the soil, and stomp along the edging with your feet to ensure it is tightly compacted. Keep adding soil until it is slightly higher than ground level, as it will settle over time.
Now your plastic edging is securely in place, and you can finish by watering the soil lightly to settle it further. Use a garden hose and walk alongside the edging, watering the soil on both sides. You don't need to saturate the soil, just make it moderately damp. With these steps, you have prepared the ground for plastic edging, creating a neat and tidy border for your garden bed.
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The depth of the trench for plastic edging
It is important to note that the trench depth can vary depending on personal preference and the desired visibility of the edging. Some people prefer to have only the top half or third of the edging circle visible above the ground, while others prefer it to be slightly higher than ground level, as it will settle over time with rain or watering.
When digging the trench, use a shovel or spade to create a uniform depth along the entire length of the garden bed. Remove any small roots that may interfere with the desired depth and cut away any large roots that cannot be accommodated. Once the trench is dug, place the plastic edging inside, ensuring that the lip or decorative edge is facing towards the garden bed and not the lawn.
After positioning the edging, backfill the trench with soil, compacting it firmly in place. This step ensures that the edging is secure and will not shift over time. Finally, install edging stakes at regular intervals to provide additional stability and prevent the edging from moving due to soil movement.
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Securing plastic edging
Plastic lawn edging is an easy and economical way 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 securing plastic edging:
Planning and Preparation:
First, measure the perimeter of your garden bed using rope to determine how much edging you will need. Mark the outline of your desired design with environmentally safe marking paint and cut the rope to size. Then, using a tape measure, measure the length of the rope to estimate the required amount of plastic edging, adding 10% to account for waste.
Digging the Trench:
Dig a trench around the garden bed, ensuring it is at least 3-6 inches deep and slightly wider than the width of the edging. Remove any small roots that interrupt the trench with pruning shears, but leave larger tree roots to cut the edging around.
Placing the Edging:
Position the plastic edging into the trench, ensuring the lip or curled-up "V" at the bottom faces towards the garden bed and not the lawn. If you need multiple rolls of edging, use a connector to attach the ends securely. Push the edging firmly against the garden bed, leaving only the top half or third of the circle visible above ground.
Securing with Stakes:
Before adding soil, install stakes to secure the edging. Place the pointed tip of the stake into the "V" at the bottom of the edging, with the short, bent part facing down. Hammer the stake at a flat angle, close to perpendicular to the edging, about every 3 to 5 feet along the perimeter. For 20-foot lengths of edging, use four stakes, placing one at the start, seven feet from the start, fourteen feet, and at the end.
Filling the Trench:
Fill the trench with soil, backfilling any gaps with your hands or a trowel. Water the edging lightly to settle the soil, making it moderately damp. Finally, check that the edging feels sturdy all around, and add more soil to any areas that require additional support.
By following these steps, you can effectively secure your plastic edging, enhancing the appearance and functionality of your garden beds and borders.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic edging should face inwards towards the garden bed, not the lawn. The top, decorative edge should be just at surface level, with only the top half or third of the edging visible.
First, measure the perimeter of your garden bed using rope to determine how much edging you will need. Then, dig a trench around the garden bed, ensuring it is deep enough so that the edging does not stick up out of the ground. Place the edging into the trench, pressing it against the vertical wall. Finally, fill the trench in with soil and install stakes to secure the edging.
Measure the perimeter of your garden bed using a tape measure. Then, lay a piece of rope along the desired path of the edging. Measure the length of the rope with a tape measure to determine how much edging you will need. Add 10% to this length to account for any waste.
