Sometimes borders are a good thing and that includes in the garden. Edges help provide a transition between elements and can help contain gravel, mulch and turf from spreading. Besides its use for providing a barrier, edging provides an additional design element and should be considered detail.
Metal edging along a gravel pathway.
Bricks on edge between turf lawn and a perennial garden.
Where and How to Edge: Edging is used in areas of loose stone to prevent from spreading into turf or beds, such as walkways, driveways and patio spaces. It can also be used to provide an edge along turf to prevent the spreading of grass into plant beds. Common materials used include brick, cut stone, slab stone and metal. Below is a visual ID of four major edging types in use.
Metal edging used to separate gravel bed and turf.
Edging Problems: In areas where there is freezing and thawing, some edging material will heave out of the ground and will need to be periodically re-set. Edging is not a 100% foolproof barrier, gravel and grass will cross the line and will require maintenance. Also if the wrong gravel type is used or layered too thick, the barrier will not provide the intended function.
Metal edging along gravel path on a green roof.
Metal edging along a gravel path into a perennial garden.
When Not to Using Edging: I don’t typically use edging around flower/perennial beds. I prefer to use a technique that includes a deep trench surrounding the bed. I use a sharp flat spade cut to make minor adjustments in the shape and insuring separation of the turf and bed.
Also please stay away from those plastic edging. If you use the method above you will have better result of keep beds shaped and materials contained. I cannot think of too many cases where plastic is ever the best solution in the garden.
(All photos from work by McCullough’s Landscape & Nursery)
Curious to know if you have an example (Pintrest maybe?) that shows the trench method you mentioned?
I had not really considered the benefits of edging my garden, but you make some pretty good points and beautiful examples in the article here. I do agree that they make for a great way to transition between different parts of your garden. I might have to look more seriously into adding an edge to our garden in the near future.
My garden looked dull and boring due to its long grass, which is why I’m currently looking for a lawn care service that may address this concern. Thank you for elaborating here that edging could help prevent the spread of grass in forbidden places. I’d also keep in mind to never use edging around flowers.
I like how you said that landscape edging adds an element of design to your property. My husband and I want to spruce up the appearance of our backyard and make it more organized in the process. We will definitely have to look into getting edging installed to improve the design and look of our yard.