Have you ever thought about the areas where your lawn, path or patio meets another area? To be honest, lawn edging, as they're called, never crossed my radar until recently. Unfortunately, I demolished a beautiful patch of newly blooming daffodils because, during a weekly mowing session, 1. I was distracted by the sights, smells, and sounds of spring and 2. My yard doesn't have properly placed edging.
While I can't be blamed for getting lost in the thought of warm weather and lush landscaping, I can be blamed a bit for the grass edging.
What lawn edging ideas will work for my property? I was wondering. As it turns out, there are plenty of options, depending on price and the look you're trying to achieve.
Check out this list of 25+ garden edging ideas you can use to separate your lawn from walkways, patios, flower beds, and more, and find one or more techniques that work for you.
Lawn Edging Options
1. Plastic
Plastic garden edging is relatively easy to install and one of the more affordable lawn edging options.
Photo de Ritta Rina and Shutterstock
Like the metal and rubber varieties, plastic edging often comes with small stakes or an angled bottom that is pounded into the grass with a rubber mallet or pushed down into the ground by hand. In most cases, you will have to choose between individual interlocking edges or long connected coils.
The biggest benefit of plastic edging, aside from cost, is that it's easy to shape. If you anticipate adjusting to a lot of curves and sharp angles, this is a great option.
Cost:$-$$
Effort:Low
2. Rubber
Most rubber lawn edging is made to look like stone or concrete, but has remarkable durability. Most products are designed to lie flat on the ground surface or are attached with the help of small stakes. Rubber is naturally very malleable and is the perfect material if you have to maneuver around landscaping curves.
Foto de romakoma no Shutterstock
If you're looking for an eco-friendly rim option, look for a rubber rim product made from recycled tires.
Cost:$-$$
Effort:Low
3. Metallic
While similar in design to plastic and rubber edging, metal lawn edging is typically made of aluminum or steel. It does not look as "brittle" as plastic and some types of rubber, so many owners prefer it.
Photo by Pixabay not Pexels
Metal is also considered a classic and timeless option. It's effective at differentiating spaces, it's affordable, and it can be installed almost anywhere.
Cost:$-$$
Effort:Low
4. fio
Wire garden edging adds a highly decorated touch to your backyard. The cables are usually configured in curved shapes and come in coils or small segments.
Photo by Peter Turner Photography without Shutterstock
While twine doesn't necessarily provide superior protection against weeds or overgrowth, it does act as an effective barrier to separate disparate areas, such as a garden or flower bed, from your lawn.
Cost:$$-$$$
Effort:Low
5. Brick
Brick works well around historic properties or forking a brick path. It is stackable and comes in a variety of shades.
Photo by shadowfirearts not Pixabay
If you're interested in adding a unique look to your landscape border, consider flipping your brick or stone over and upright to create a taller border. As the bricks are relatively thick, it is important to dig into the ground to ensure the stability of the edges. Investing in an edger blade can help improve your efficiency.
The cost of the brick depends on the style you choose. Before you invest in a trowel of new bricks, search your community online for free or low-cost reclaimed bricks.
Cost:$$-$$$
Effort:Average
6. Piedra
To give your landscape border a classic or decorative look, glue down a natural material such as stone. The shape, color and size of the stone will vary depending on the look you are going for.
Photo de karamysh and Shutterstock
Medium-sized river rock is a great addition when creating an edging that separates your lawn from a small stream or pond. Smaller pebbles arranged in a strip 6 to 8 inches wide also work surprisingly well for weed control.
Cost:$-$$$
Effort:Average
7. Manufactured stone
While not as expensive as natural stone, manufactured stone is aesthetically pleasing. Manufactured stone, also called "artificial stone" or concrete edging stone, contains a mixture of concrete and other additives that give it the appearance of real stone.
Photo de Kellis and Shutterstock
Both are equally durable and long lasting. However, a manufactured stone cannot be altered (shaped or cut) like natural stone and is prone to fading in sunlight over time.
Cost:$$
Effort:Average
8. Corrugated steel
If you like the industrial look of corrugated steel, consider using it as an inexpensive garden edging idea. Purchase large sheets of corrugated steel and cut to your preferred size or select pre-cut pieces.
Use a lawnmower to create a small depression in the ground and set the rebar securely in place.
Cost:$-$$
Effort:Low
9. Poured concrete
Poured concrete is an ideal lawn edging idea to keep grass out of flower beds. However, it is one of the more permanent lawn edging solutions.
Photo de Zidane Brooks and Shutterstock
The use of poured concrete involves careful planning. Be sure to map out where you plan to pour the concrete, and consult a landscape architect if you have any questions.
If it's a small job, you can probably do it yourself. However, if you plan to fence your entire yard, it may be helpful to break the project into segments or hire additional help.
Cost:$-$$
Effort:Difficult
10. Concrete blocks
Cinder blocks stack well (similar to brick) and provide a very natural look. Many bricks, stones, and cinder blocks are pre-made, which means all you have to do is buy them and place them on the ground.
Photo the rawmm and Shutterstock
These blocks are not as permanent as poured concrete, but they still provide a strong edge.
Cost:$$
Effort:Difficult
11 PVC
PVC is one of the best inexpensive landscape edging ideas as there are so many ways to use it. To get started, you can cut the PVC pipes to the width you want and line them up next to each other. Cutouts can be the same height for a uniform look, or different heights if you prefer a particular pattern or design.
Before painting the PVC with your preferred waterproof spray paint, lightly sand it and apply a primer coat.
Another way to use PVC pipe for garden edging is to cut the pipe in half, dividing it into two crescent shapes. From there, you can either place the halves directly in the ground and simply paint them, or drill round holes and plant flowers directly into the PVC.
When it comes to PVC pipes, the sky is the limit!
Cost:ps
Effort:low to medium
12. flores
Are you looking for a natural transition from your lawn to a flower bed? Then skip the metal or plastic ledge and head straight for the nursery!
Photo de Elena Elisseeva and Shutterstock
While you're there, browse the selection of flowers, mostly bulbs and low shrubs. They act as a great natural asset (as long as you don't get distracted and cut them of course).
Cost:$-$$
Effort:Low
13. Tall herbs
Photo the stock alpha and Alamy
In the same vein as flowers, tall ornamental grasses are another great idea for natural landscape borders. Varieties like jackgrass, lemongrass, needlegrass, and pampas are dense enough to limit the growth of low grasses and unwanted weeds, and many live well past the spring and summer months.
Cost:$-$$
Effort:Low
14. straw
Mulch is a simple, affordable, and readily available lawn edging product that you may already have around your home. However, mulching is not a foolproof way to deal with weeds. In fact, you should take extra precautions if you plan to only mulch your lawn.
Photo de Artazum and Shutterstock
According to TN weeder Amanda Schneider of Nashville, "I prefer to cut a sharp edge with a good edging trowel and finish with a no-stain wood mulch."
For longer lasting results, apply a layer of landscaping fabric secured with landscaping pins. Cover this cloth with your favorite mulch, such as pine needles or driftwood.
Cost:ps
Effort:Low
15. Bamboo
Primed Bamboo Landscape Edging comes in lengths ranging from 18" to 36"+. These sheets are easy to install and come in many different colors and patterns. A stepped look is extremely popular and preferred by many bamboo aficionados.
Photo de jkcDesign and Shutterstock
If you are willing and able to put in the effort, it is also possible to create your own bamboo border using solid pieces of bamboo.
Cost:$-$$
Effort:Average
16. Records
Is your property located in a heavily wooded area? Did a tree recently fall down in your backyard? If tree limbs and logs are knee-high, reuse them as lawn edging. Smaller logs can be placed directly on the edge. For larger logs, you can cut them in half.
Foto de Deer wowawut no Shutterstock
Log edging is particularly common around backyard fires.
To prevent termite damage, which can occur if you have dead and decaying wood directly on the floor, treat the wood with borate.
Cost:ps
Effort:Low
17. Folding plate
Photo by Paresh R. Makwane's Shutterstock
This hybrid product looks like wood but is made of plastic. True to its name, the folding board is ridiculously flexible and is ideal for embroidering decorative ponds and flower beds. As a bonus, it doesn't rot and is resistant to pests.
Cost:$$
Effort:Average
18. Railway sleepers
Wooden garden edging is highly preferred by homeowners and gardeners. Garden ties, also known as rail ties or ties, are one of the most common types of wood products used to create defined landscape borders.
Photo de Artazum and Shutterstock
In terms of wooden garden edging ideas, you are spoiled for choice. For starters, you can choose to stack mini sleepers on top of each other. These molded wood pieces are flattened at the top and bottom for easy installation.
For a wider choice, you can try a 4-foot rail tie. Keep in mind that they are heavy, so have a partner help you carry them, and then place the ties in your garden or lawn.
Many wooden garden edgings are pre-treated with creosote, so try not to place them too close to your garden edibles!
Cost:$$
Effort:Difficult
19. Glass bottles
Turn your used glass wine and beer bottles into something amazing with this creative garden edging idea. Simply collect as many bottles as you need, dig a 3 to 5-inch perimeter where you want your lawn edging, turn the bottles over, and place them directly in the ground.
Mix and match colors, shapes, and sizes to create a beautiful mix of glass.
Cost:ps
Effort:Low
20. Ceramic tiles
If you're like me, you have piles of unused ceramic tile from old home improvement projects in your garage. Why not reuse them?
Photo the icon0.com and Pexels
Lay ceramic tiles horizontally, or lay them vertically to add a little more depth to your border. Going monotone will provide the ultimate classic look, while a mix and match of tiles will show off your creative side.
Cost:$-$$
Effort:Low
21. Big rocks
Foto de romakoma no Shutterstock
Large boulders are relatively expensive and difficult to install, but they look great pruning old trees, around in-ground ponds and pools, and around fire pits.
Cost:$$-$$$
Effort:Difficult
22. Flower vases
Photo de Kudla and Shutterstock
Place cheap clay pots along its edges for an original and natural design. Feel free to plant seasonal flowers in the pots or set them to the side for an unexpected look.
Cost:ps
Effort:Easy
23. Decorative pieces
Foto de Anna Biancoloto sin Shutterstock
Cover your lawn with decorations, old or new! Browse the antique mall to find antique frames, vases, and candle holders.
Cost:$-$$$
Effort:Variable
24. Woven barriers
Foto de romakoma no Shutterstock
Amanda, a specialist in woven barriers, gave some advice for those interested in this shore. “The key to building a wooden edging or fence is choosing the right type of stick. You want a beautiful, flexible sapling with enough moisture content to withstand the bending required by the weaving process, but you also want the bramble and mud dry enough to have the strength to withstand the stress. This combination will maintain the integrity of the entire fence.”
She suggests willow, which is a material that can take root on the spot. Other options include long strands of bamboo, rope, and even old garden hoses.
Cost:$-$$
Effort:Difficult
25. Leftovers reused
And finally, let's talk about the items you have at home. Whether it's bicycle wheels, hubcaps, or useless building materials, you can use them to create a completely free and utterly unique landscape border.
What you choose to do is entirely up to you!
Cost:ps
Effort:Variable
26. A combination
Photo by Paresh R. Makwane's Shutterstock
If you can't choose just one border, incorporate two or more of these options to create the final border. “You can't beat a wavy border with a crisp edge and red-tinted mulch, like pine, to contrast with the green foliage. For terraced beds, stone borders with plants spilling over the edge have a beautiful, lush aesthetic,” Amanda explained.
Cost:$-$$$
Effort:Variable
I love options, and you? When deciding which materials to use for lawn edging, consider the price, effort, and aesthetics of each edging material. Once you've narrowed down your options, go shopping and see the color and size variations of each one.
In a matter of a weekend, you can have the perfect landscape border, and save your daffodils in the process!
We want to extend our thanks to Amanda Schneider of The Weeding Woman in Nashville for her expertise.
FAQs
The best ways to create the perfect lawn edge? ›
The choice of wet or dry edging depends on the type of lawn that you have and the desired results you want to achieve. Dry edging is the preferred method for a neat, clean, and precise edge. Wet edging is a good option for lawns that are difficult to edge dry and can help to avoid scalping the lawn.
Is it better to edge lawn when wet or dry? ›The choice of wet or dry edging depends on the type of lawn that you have and the desired results you want to achieve. Dry edging is the preferred method for a neat, clean, and precise edge. Wet edging is a good option for lawns that are difficult to edge dry and can help to avoid scalping the lawn.
Should lawn edging be curved or straight? ›Curved lines shape informal garden beds and add interest to pathways. Straight lines evoke a sense of order and a more formal crispness. Horizontal lines create a soothing sense of stability. Think of the ocean and how its vast expanse meets the sky, creating a sense of peacefulness and majesty.
What time of year should you edge your lawn? ›If you want to do it only one time a year, which is close to the average, edge sometime in late June. By waiting until the end of June, you avoid the peak growing season–April to May–so your edging work lasts longer as your grass grows less from July to December.
Do I mow or edge first? ›If you maintain a beautifully manicured lawn at a low height, mowing frequently sometimes more than once a week, then you are likely to mow first. You give the lawn a haircut and then you give it that crisp edge to finish it off.
What is the best height for lawn edging? ›The top of the border should be about ½ inch (1.25 cm) above the ground: not so high that the lawnmower is likely to hit it, but still high enough to prevent turf grass rhizomes trying to climb over it.
How far should lawn edging stick up? ›Dig the trench to a uniform depth of three to four inches—deep enough to let the edging stand about one-half inch above ground level.
What is proper edging height? ›Embedding the plastic edging 3 to 6 inches into the ground prevents grass roots and weeds from traveling underneath your edging and making its way into the garden bed. Some plastic edging can stand above ground about 6 inches while others are more discreet, only standing above ground about half an inch.
Which landscape edging is best? ›Aluminum or steel edging is great for straight-line areas; it won't rust, rot or become brittle. It's installed with stakes and can be molded into shapes and curves.
What is the easiest tool to edge lawn? ›The classic tool for edging a bed is the half-moon edger, but any flat-bladed spade will do the job. Whatever tool you're using, sharpen the blade with a metal file before you get started to make the job easier and to ensure the cleanest cut.
Should you cut grass vertically or horizontally? ›
Lawn Mowing Pattern: Rows
If your yard is more wide, mow in horizontal rows to cover the longest part of your lawn with the least amount of turns. Longer lawns can be cut vertically for the same reason. If your yard is more of a square shape, congrats! You can cut in either direction.
However, be mindful that mowing too close to nightfall (between 6 and 8 p.m.) will not give your grass enough time to recover, making your lawn more susceptible to fungus and turf disease. It's recommended to avoid cutting your grass in the early morning and midday.
What day should you stop mowing your lawn? ›While you might not need to mow as frequently, it is important to keep an eye on your lawn growing patterns and ensure it's mowed as needed before the winter. Your last cut of the year should fall about a week before the first frost.
What month is best to lay a lawn? ›Turf is best laid in mid-autumn, but can be laid any time between mid-autumn and early spring, whenever the soil isn't too wet or frosty. In spring and autumn little mowing is needed, so newly laid turf can be left relatively undisturbed for several weeks, which will help it get rooted in.
Does it matter which direction you mow? ›Each time you mow, do it in a different direction. If you always cut your lawn using the same pattern, not only will you end up sending your brain straight to snoozeville, but your grass will start to lean in the direction you mow and you may even end up with ruts in the lawn.
What is the correct mowing pattern? ›Mow your first diagonal stripe down the center of the lawn, then mow another stripe next to it. Move around the edge of the lawn and cut a second stripe in the same direction to create one light stripe with two dark stripes next to it. Continue this pattern until both sides of the lawn are striped.
Should you mow up and down or side to side? ›Go straight up and down the slope. If you drive the riding mower side to side up a hill, it can more easily tip over. Avoid starting, stopping, and turning on the slope. Instead, do this on the most level ground possible, and consider where it might be safe to do so before climbing or descending a hill.
Can I edge my yard after rain? ›The short answer: No. Mowing wet grass can be problematic for your lawn, your lawn mower and you. If you do mow wet grass, you risk leaving clumps of clippings that could smother the grass beneath. Wet grass can clog the mower, causing it to overheat, and stick to the mower's underside, which is difficult to clean.
Why do landscapers cut wet grass? ›Mowing a wet lawn results in extra cleanup.
Grass clippings get extra clingy when they're wet, so mowing grass when it's wet requires extra cleanup.
After Rain: Wait for at least one or two days after heavy rainfall before edging your lawn. This will give the soil enough time to dry out to a workable consistency while still retaining some moisture. Seasonal Considerations: In spring and fall, when the grass is actively growing, you may need to edge more frequently.
Is cutting grass when wet bad? ›
Mowing wet lawns increases the risk of rut damage, since the soil is softer and more slippery for mowers, and the grass roots can more easily be torn out by the mower tires. That said, lighter weight Wright mowers with their large wheels enable you to mow over wetter ground with less risk of rut damage.