Now that we are in the midst of the warmest season of the year, our grass is flourishing. This is great! Well, except for the fact that it takes much more lawn and landscape maintenance to control the grass growth.
But the great news is…
Landscape edging can significantly reduce the amount of maintenance required to keep your lawn looking superb during the summer season.
Landscape edging provides a variety of benefits, including:
- Acting as a grass barrier above and below ground
- Keeping mulch or pine straw in place
- Providing a crisp and defined line between your lawn and garden bed
- And adding a little character to your landscape scheme overall
There are many different options to choose from when it comes to landscape edging.
So, how do you know which landscape edging option will be best for you and your landscaping needs? Start by making sure you know what type of grass you have growing in your lawn. This will give you a foundation of knowledge on which to base your landscape edging choice. For example, some grasses are more tough and rigid than others, meaning they will require a heftier edging choice for maximum landscape control. Other slower growing, less aggressive, grasses will not require as much and could use a simpler edging.
Let’s talk about a general idea of what categories of landscape edging there are to choose from and how they relate to grass type…
- Metal Landscape Edging
Metal is a great material to be used for landscape edging due to its lifespan and hardiness. It is very slim, carefully lining your garden bed without causing a distraction taking away from the rest of your landscape. Metal also usually has a relatively easy installation process. Most metal landscape edging can simply be hammered right into the ground using a rubber mallet. If you have a tougher grass growing or hard soil, you may need to get your shovel and dig a small trench to make the installation process easier and ensure that you are getting the metal barrier far enough down into the soil to prevent grass root systems from invading your garden bed.
- Wood Landscape Edging
Just like everything else in life, there are pros and cons to everything. That is definitely true with wood landscape edging. Most wood edging has the weight it needs to be able to execute its job perfectly fine. On the other hand, wood landscape edging can have a hard time surviving in harsh weather conditions and continuous outdoor exposure. It tends to rot away after some time, meaning it will need to be replaced every so often. Some wood landscape edging is treated, meaning it will slow the degrading process, lasting a bit longer than average. Railroad ties, logs, and planks are all great wooden landscape edging supplies to be used. To be most effective in serving as a grass barrier, the wood will need to be placed 2-3 inches below the surface of your lawn rather than simply sitting atop of the soil and grass.
- Concrete, Stone, & Brick Landscape Edging
Concrete, stone, and brick are very similar when it comes to landscape edging. They give an attractive, yet natural, look to your overall landscape. These materials tend to be heavier than most materials, possibly requiring you to hire a professional for installation, depending on your capabilities. It is easy for stone and brick to be installed incorrectly, leaving gaps between the neighboring piece, allowing grass to grow through the cracks and eventually, invade your garden bed. A layer of mortar can be useful during installation to keep the stone and brick in place and seal those gaps. Concrete is slightly different compared to other landscape edging options, because it is typically poured rather than set in place.
All the different landscape edging options can have different advantages or disadvantages, depending on your personal aesthetic preference and the type of grass in your lawn.
If you’re looking for a quality plastic landscape edging product, be sure to check out our Grass Barrier. If you want a metal landscape edging choice that is durable, easy to install, and affordable—take a look at Edge Right. You can’t go wrong with either option and we’d love to help you make your lawn and landscaping crisp, clean, and beautiful!