There are many different ways to edge your lawn.
There are also numerous landscape edging materials and options to choose from when you have decided that it is time to upgrade the edge along your garden bed or other landscape features.
These various materials differ in price range. Some landscape edging choices are more expensive but last longer; others are cheaper but will need to be replaced in a couple years. Materials range from plastic, metal, concrete, wood, stone, brick, gravel, to pavers.
Metal and concrete are more expensive, long-term options, while the most practical solution with a limited budget is plastic landscape edging. But you aren’t just limited to one choice here either.
There are many different types of plastic landscape edging to select from too!
No matter which option you do select, plastic landscape edging has many short-term benefits, is one of the cheapest edging materials and often comes in different colors. Just do be aware that some of the plastics that are used for edging are different from one another. Some of these are more durable than others, some are easier to install, and attractiveness of plastic landscape edging varies broadly as well.
Since you do have choices in plastic landscape edging, be sure and do your research to get the most practical solution that works best for you and your lawn and landscape.
How to Choose Lawn Edging
A stroll through your local home improvement store, such as Lowes or Home Depot, will show you quickly… to say there is a “variety” of landscape edging options readily available is an understatement.
Important to remember is WHY you want to install landscape edging in the first place.
Landscape edging serves three main purposes:
- It neatens the border between your lawn and garden bed
- It serves as a barrier to prevent grass roots and weeds invading the rich soil of your garden bed
- And it holds mulch and soil in the garden bed
To accomplish any or all of these missions, there are sleek, unnoticeable edging options, as well as very attractive, ornamental, edging options. The choice that’s right for you really comes down to personal preference, lawn and landscape nature (such as soil, grass type, bed type, etc.) and budget.
Follow these simple steps to find exactly what you are looking for in your landscape edging:
- Analyze your landscape atmosphere and theme.Is it formal, geometric, rustic or comfortable? You will want to find the perfect landscape edging to compliment that look. Also, consider the different designs that are offered. For instance, a natural brick edging with no mortar gives a rustic or comfortable look. On the other hand, a brick edging that is stacked neatly and is attached together with mortar provides a more formal or geometric appearance.
- Consider the budget you are willing to set for purchasing landscape edging and possibly a tool or two. If you have a higher-end budget, you may want to consider metal, paving stones or concrete. These materials are on the expensive end of the spectrum but defend that cost with the ability to last nearly forever. If you don’t want to invest so much into this project, you may want to consider plastic, imitation materials, or anything your mind can create for edging with salvaged items.
- Evaluate your local climate to foresee what your landscape edging material may have to endure. For example, if you live on the coast and ocean spray is in the wind, some metal may not be the best option for you due to it rusting. Wood edging material would not sustain long and rot in boggy, rainy, moist environments too.
- Create a list of advantages and disadvantages of the different landscape edging types. Claim an idea of what you are willing to sacrifice and what is a must when searching for landscape edging. Maybe you would be willing to sacrifice the color to have the deep grass barrier?
- Keep in mind what you really need when buying landscape edging and not just what you want. If you have deep-rooting grass in your lawn, you will need something that can penetrate the earth deep enough to block the grass roots from invading your garden bed. If you have sprout-aggressive grass, you need a material that will stand above ground to shield the mulch and top layer of the garden bed to be invaded by grass.
- Consider the amount of landscape edging maintenance you are willing to put forth and how much your edging will require.If you are like most people, you will want an edging option with less required maintenance. The best grass-preventing landscape edging is something that can create a 6-inch barrier below ground and can create a few-inches tall border above the ground to protect against any loose grass clippings.
- Measure your garden bed border, adding 10% to the sum amount to be sure you purchase landscape edging material that will adequality cover the border and all the corners or bends.It is better to have a little too much than to not have enough. Once you have gotten a grand sum of the length plus 10 percent, you can calculate the approximate cost for your edging materials.
Things to Consider When Choosing Plastic Landscape Edging
If you choose plastic landscape edging, you will want your edging to serve its intended purpose to its full potential. Thus, you will need to examine specifically, what that intended purpose is and go from there.
Additionally, take note of the climate you live in, what the weather is like and the ground hardness—all while also keeping your intended purpose in mind.
The good news is that the plastic landscape edging material selection is quite large because it can be manufactured into many different shapes or forms.
Caveats Regarding Plastic Landscape Edging to Be Aware Of…
Plastic edging may be a great short-term option for your garden bed border, but most choices will not last forever. Many plastic edging options need to be replaced every few years or so because they will flake or crack as they become brittle in the sun. A few can look cheap if not properly installed and most will also still require you to put in some level of maintenance to add an edge between a garden bed and the lawn pretty frequently for maintenance.
Plastic landscape edging is an affordable option if you are on a budget. Its price value makes this material very popular and there is a pretty large selection.
To re-state and reiterate, however, even knowing that plastic landscape edging is usually a less-expensive option, you still want to get at least the value you pay for over time.
If you like the idea of plastic landscape edging but still want a quality product that is durable and attractive, be sure to check out the benefits of Grass Barrier.
Positives to Look Forward to with Plastic Landscape Edging
After those negative downsides that are associated with plastic landscape edging, it is only right to provide you with some additional positives.
Plastic landscape edging is also:
- Budget friendly
- Flexible
- Easy to install
- Not very invasive
- Can serve ornamental and appearance purposes
- Can be economical
- Comes in a variety of colors
- Has options to mimic other materials at a cheaper cost
Benefits Reaped from Edging Your Garden Beds in General
Edging is not required for a garden or planting area but installing an edging border offers functional and aesthetic benefits for your landscaping.
Here are some of the many benefits you and your landscape can reap from landscape edging:
- Space Definition: The edging pieces create a prominent line between the garden bed and lawn, establishing a gardening area. Edging creates a crisp, divided landscape appearance.
- Garden Containment: The edging product keeps the garden materials, such as mulch, soil, or gravel, from washing away due to excessive rains or other extreme weather conditions.
- Maintenance: Installing a border along a gardening bed cuts down the required maintenance of the home owner. It also makes it easier to control irrigation and chemical treatments from reaching the establish gardening area.
- Appearance: Landscape edging cleans up the lines that are embedded into your landscape for a pleasing look. Edging can also serve the purpose to add a hint of style to your garden bed.