If everything is going right with your garden , no one should really detect your edging . Instead , they should mark the dainty lines of your bed and the disingenuous planting it contains . But a garden without an edge is like a picture without a human body . The edging sets a visual as well as a physical boundary , focusing your attention and preclude grass from get in or soil from getting out . The right edge should suit your look , your budget , and your maintenance level . Here are some options .

The trench is the fastest

plainly digging a oceanic abyss is unremarkably the fastest manner to achieve an edge , and you may make it into any shape . It is often uneffective as a farseeing - full term barrier and require refreshing yearly .

Pros : Easy ; inexpensive ; adaptable to any situation

Cons : Poor at cease forage and weeds ; must be maintained regularly

Article image

Stone pavers are durable

If you want an edging that you could install and forget about , rock pavers are a great alternative . If you are installing them next to grass , they make a great mowing boundary as well . Giving them a root of sand makes level easier and helps mitigate frost heave .

Pros : easygoing to install ; long hold up ; will suit almost any style

Cons : Not suited to curves

Article image

Corten steel is stylish

Normally rust is not desirable , but the weathered appearance of Corten sword always catches the eye in a electropositive way . It is more adaptable to curved bed than other alloy edging . But it must be installed with much of it above undercoat ; otherwise , what ’s the full stop ?

Pros : Attractive ; long-lived ; easily veer

bunco game : Can be difficult to find ; a small pricey

Article image

Wood can be easy

If you are looking to give your garden a rustic , naturalistic bound , then Natalie Wood is the thoroughgoing choice . you’re able to do almost anything you wish with it , except make it last . But it crumble more slowly than you might think and look large in the process .

pro : inexpensive ; easy ; put to work in almost any plan

inmate : Will eventually postulate replacing

Article image

Metal has clean, long-lasting lines

When it occur to branch weeds from beds or hardscape from softscape , nothing works well than metal . It lasts for a long time and does n’t involve maintenance . Bending it is tricky , so it influence good in square lines .

Pros : unclouded line ; long lasting ; low maintenance

bunco : Pricey ; can be hard to find ; does n’t deform well

Article image

Other options: Anything can be an edge

Perhaps the only requirements a cloth has to satisfy to be an edge are the ability to stand up to the element and the comportment of enough of it to do the job .

Terra - cotta pipe sections append shape and texture to a small seam . They are probably best in areas where freeze temperatures are rare .

Rusted shovel heads are n’t as classy as Corten sword , but they still have charm . In addition , they provide an solvent for those who are frequently asked , “ Why do you have all these old spadeful ? ”

Article image

Fine horticulture # 193

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

X3 Stainless Steel Midi - Mod Fountain

Article image

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items buy through links on this internet site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate publicizing programs .

ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner

Gardener ’s Log Book from NYBG

Article image

Photo: Marianne Majerus Garden Images

Get our latest tip , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

The 6 Best Edging Tools for the Garden

Exciting Plant Selections to Add Softness in the Shade

Sturdy Spring Plant Options to Lean On

Two Takes on a Courtyard Garden

Join okay horticulture for a spare affiance live webinar have Dr. Janna Beckerman , a illustrious plant diagnostician as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical manager …

When I spot a particular George Sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I get it on I was in trouble . With a delicious gloss practice …

When we only prioritize plants we want over plants our landscape need , each season is fill with a never - ending tilt of chores : pruning , pilfer , lacrimation , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Article image

Photo: Steve Aitken

Subscribe today and save up to 47%

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you infix the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re potential to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bomb by a pair …

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden

Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill

Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

All Access members get more

signalize up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the residue of the appendage - only content library .

Start Free Trial

Article image

Photo: Marianne Majerus Garden Images

Get ended site access to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the mark magazine .

Start your FREE trial

Already a member?sign in

Article image

Photo: Richard Bloom

Article image

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Article image

Photo: Richard Bloom

Article image

Photo: Marianne Majerus Garden Images

Article image

Photo: Marianne Majerus Garden Images

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Magazine Cover

Magazine Cover

Magazine Cover

Magazine Cover

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Magazine Cover

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image

Article image