9+ Creative Lawn Edging Ideas To Keep Grass Out of Flower Beds
Lawn edging is an important task that many garden owners skip. However, your flower beds or garden are incomplete without it. It is not about appearance only. Instead, edging keeps grass and unwanted plants out of flower beds and gardens.
Some lawn edging ideas to keep grass out include bricks, natural stones, logs, metal sheets, bamboo, plastic sheets, glass bottles, rubber, living plants, and fences.
Though installing lawn edging requires time and effort, the final result will be much more satisfactory. Read the rest of the article to learn about these lawn edging ideas.
Why Is Lawn Edging Essential?
You may think that edging around the garden is not strictly necessary. The belief makes sense. But, it can improve the health and appearance of your garden and ease maintenance. Below are some reasons why lawn edging is encouraged:
- Lawn edging ensures plants in your garden get a sufficient amount of water. Otherwise, grasses and weeds can consume water and keep those plants thirsty.
- It is also essential to help plants absorb nutrition. In the absence of lawn edging, unwanted weeds can ingest nutrition from soil of the garden.
- An edged garden is easy to maintain because you do not have to clean grasses and weeds anymore.
- Lawn edging can also protect plants from pests and diseases that spread through grasses.
- Edging will enhance the aesthetics of your garden. It keeps grass away, a common reason for untidy gardens.
10 Lawn Edging Ideas To Keep Grass Out Of Garden of Flower Beds
Different materials are used for lawn edging around the world. Here is the discussion of ten edgings that help prevent grass and weeds.
1. Brick Edging
Edging a lawn with bricks has been a popular technique for decades. Bricks construct a well-defined border between the lawn and your flower beds. This edging method also adds a classic look to the lawn.
It is effective in keeping unwanted grass and weeds out of flower beds. They are strong, weather-resistant, and last for a longer time with very minimal care. However, brick lawn edging has a few drawbacks too. If they are not aligned properly, the gaps between bricks can be an easy entry point for grasses.
Bricks are a cost-effective option for lawn edging. You can do the edging without anyone’s help. Thus, you can save the labor cost as well.
2. Natural Stone Edging
Many use natural stones, like granite, limestone, and sandstone to edge lawns. These stones are excellent options for homeowners who need a clean and elegant look on their properties. They build a strong barrier between the lawn and garden to prevent unwanted weeds.
This edging is durable and low maintenance, which makes it widely popular. It keeps grassroots and runners out of flower beds and gardens effectively. However, this edging may not completely prevent them if there are gaps between stones.
For the maximum prevention of grass, you need to bury a portion of the stone under the ground’s surface. You can also use smaller stones in gaps to make the edging tighter.
The cost of natural stone edging varies, depending on which stones you have chosen, their installation method, and the project’s size.
3. Log Edging
Logs are natural elements used as lawn edging in many places. They are eco-friendly barriers that separate the lawn and flower beds without harming the soil or other plants.
They are cheaper, widely available, and possible to install with a few tools. Logs can prevent grass, but the effectiveness depends on their placement. Grassroots can still enter the flower beds through the gaps between logs. Therefore, you must ensure a tighter installation.
As a natural element, logs will rot over time. So, they may require maintenance and replacement at a certain frequency.
4. Metal Edging
Metal sheets are one of the widely-used lawn edging options, popular for durability. Generally, galvanized steel is appropriate for metal lawn edging due to its anti-rust characteristic. However, aluminum and corten steel are also suitable for lawn edging.
Metal creates a clean and tough line between lawns and flower beds. It also keeps the garden safe during lawn mowing and saves time and effort. Along with a polished look, metal edging keeps grass out of your garden. You can even adjust the height of the edging as you need it.
The installation process of the edging is also easy, usually requiring just hammering. However, metal edging can be expensive compared to other options on this list.
5. Bamboo Edging
It is another eco-friendly and cost-effective option for edging your lawn. Bamboo can effectively keep grass out if you install it properly surrounding the flower bed or garden. The visual appeal of bamboo edging and its aesthetic is outstanding.
The material’s flexibility makes it ideal for curved and uniquely shaped edging. You can easily install it without any professional assistance.
Remember that bamboo alone may not completely prevent grass from entering your garden. However, if combined with other materials like plastic or landscaping fabric, it will be a very good barrier.
As a biodegradable material, it may not survive in harsh weather. As bamboo rots, you will need to replace it at a certain frequency.
6. Plastic Edging
Plastic sheets are a versatile option for edging your garden and flower beds. It must be your top choice when flexible design, low maintenance, and easy installation are the priority.
This edging is cheaper and gives the lawn charming characteristics. Plastic can survive in damp weather without rot. So, many homeowners prefer it for long-lasting lawn edging, considering its cost-effectiveness.
Plastic edging forms an effectual border between the lawn and the flower bed. If aligned accurately, it can prevent and help spot grass growth before it becomes a big issue. However, it may not be very durable compared to other heavy-duty edging. Many users combine it with other edging materials to survive harsh conditions.
7. Glass Bottle Lawn Edging
Using glass bottles for lawn edging is a creative way to keep grass out. Generally, colorful bottles are used for this edging that enhances the garden’s beauty. It gives the lawn a unique look in an eco-friendly way.
If aligned accurately, glass bottle edging can prevent grass. Remember that you must use the same type of bottle for proper alignment. Also, ensure there are no gaps between bottles. Otherwise, they won’t prevent grass as the root finds the entrance.
Bottle edging can be cost-effective and installed without professional help. However, sharp edges of broken bottles can be a safety concern. Therefore, you must be careful about glass bottles as lawn edging if children and pets play on the lawn.
8. Rubber Edging
This flexible material builds an effective barrier between lawns and flower beds to keep grass out. You can purchase and install them easily with some basic edging knowledge.
Rubber edging may not be aesthetically pleasing. But, it prevents grasses effectively because they cannot cross it easily. This edging is available in various styles and heights which is ideal for more personalization.
The material is durable and can survive in harsh weather. It will rarely require maintenance which busy people always prefer. Rubber edging’s cost is also low compared to metal and stone edging.
9. Living Edging
Living edging is an excellent option if natural-looking and aesthetics are your priority. Here, low-growing plants and herbs are used as edging instead of traditional materials. Some common plants for living edging are Creeping Thyme, Coreopsis, Begonia, Coral bells, etc.
Though it sounds simple, choosing the right plants for lawn edging requires carefulness. The selection depends on several factors, including sunlight in the target area, and your capability of maintaining those plants. You will get the desired aesthetic of this edging when everything is combined accurately.
Living edging for lawns can be cost-effective in the long run. But they will need additional care like routine trimming and watering.
10. Lawn Edging Fences
They are garnishing and functional barriers between lawn and flower beds, specially designed for the purpose. Metal, plastic, brick, wood, and stone are the common materials used to build edging fences. Besides, they are available in various sizes for different uses.
Fences can effectively prevent grass from entering your garden or flower beds. They are placed deeper underground to keep grasses away. Many homeowners also prefer fence edging due to their durability and low maintenance.
However, installing edging fences is difficult and may need professional assistance. The lawn fence itself is also costly compared to other options on this list.
FAQ related to Lawn Edging Ideas
How effective is lawn edging to keep grass out?
These physical barriers are very effective in preventing grass. They protect your plants in the garden from unwanted weeds.
What season is ideal for lawn edging?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to install lawn edging. In these seasons, the soil remains workable, not frozen or dry.
Which is the best material for edging lawns?
The ideal material for edging depends on several factors. However, metal, bricks, and plastic are widely preferred due to their effectiveness.
Which lawn edging is the easiest to install?
Plastic edging is comparatively easier to install. They are flexible so you can install them how you want.