How to Install Professional Landscape Edging

Landscape edging is the difference between a yard that looks like a project and a yard that looks like a professional installation. Without it, mulch migrates into your grass, grass encroaches on your flower beds, and your clean lines turn into a ragged, high-maintenance mess. Installing this barrier is a matter of discipline rather than brute strength. The key is to bury the edge deep enough to prevent movement but keep it high enough to act as a physical stop for your mower. Once you get the layout right and the ground firm, you won't have to touch it again for years.

1. Mark the Perfect Border. Use a garden hose or a line of marking spray to outline the edge of your bed. Walk the line to ensure the curves are smooth and the corners follow the natural flow of your landscape.
2. Carve the Foundation Trench. Use a half-moon edger or a flat-head spade to cut a vertical trench exactly along your marked line. The trench should be about 3 to 4 inches deep.
3. Ready Your Edging Material. Unroll your plastic or metal edging alongside the trench to let it acclimate to the outdoor temperature. If using plastic, this also allows it to lose its factory coil memory, making it easier to handle.
4. Position the Edging Height. Place the edging into the trench. Ensure the top edge sits about 1 inch above the finished mulch level to prevent mulch spillover.
5. Secure With Strategic Stakes. Secure the edging by driving steel spikes through the integrated tabs or holes at a 45-degree angle. Stagger the stakes to ensure the edging doesn't shift when the ground freezes or thaws.
6. Lock Down and Finish. Pack the soil you removed firmly against both sides of the edging to lock it in place. Apply mulch or decorative stone up to the inside edge for a seamless finish.