Choosing Gardening Edging

A clean, neat line around garden beds and flowering areas adds definition to your landscaping design. While a spade or half-moon edger is effective for some garden edging, there are a wide variety of tools available to help you get the job done. The type of gardening edging you choose is a personal choice, depending on your landscaping style and budget.

There are many different materials to consider, from plastic to stone. It’s important to evaluate the cost of each and how much maintenance you’re willing to do, as some options require professional installation or are difficult for an average home gardener to install themselves.

Garden edging is used to prevent grass from creeping into your perennial or vegetable gardens. A few inches of edging will keep grass clippings, weeds and mulch from encroaching into your garden bed, allowing the plants to grow and thrive in their own space. Garden edging also creates a barrier to deter animals from wandering into your garden and disturbing the soil or plants.

Choosing the right garden edging for your needs is easy once you know the size of your garden and your preferred style. For example, if you have a large flower garden, you may want to use a different material for the edging than for your vegetable patch.

The most common garden edging is wood, such as cedar or redwood. These are naturally rot-resistant, and will last for years with proper care. Avoid pressure-treated wood, as it leaches chemicals into the soil and can damage your plants.

Another option is bamboo. This is typically sold as a mat that you pound into the ground along the edges of your garden. It’s a durable and natural look, but doesn’t fit well in all garden styles. If you prefer a more traditional feel, try a brick or concrete garden edging. These are long-lasting and sturdy, and can be stamped or colored to match your garden’s landscape design.

For those who have a modern or industrial design, metal is an excellent choice for garden edging. It’s easy to work with, and can be bent into curves. Corten steel is particularly popular for garden edging, as it has a unique weathered appearance that can compliment contemporary or Southwestern designs.

A trench is a simple, but effective method for edging your garden. This is a little more labor-intensive than other methods, but can be a great way to keep your yard looking neat and tidy. In addition to a trench, you can also use railroad ties, cinder blocks or even broken pieces of patio pavers as garden edging. Just make sure that whatever you decide to use, it’s sturdy enough to stand up against the wear and tear of lawn equipment like mowers, hoses and whipper snippers, and is easy for you to maintain.