Raised garden beds have become increasingly popular for growing flowers, herbs, and vegetables. The contained design makes gardening accessible for all, while elevating plants to reduce bending. Edging is an important design element that completes raised beds, both functionally and aesthetically. This guide will examine the benefits of using edging, provide an overview of material options, and share creative ideas to inspire you in choosing edging for your unique raised bed garden.
Why Add Edging to Raised Beds?
Installing some form of border around raised garden beds provides several key advantages:
- Contains soil and mulch – Edging keeps garden materials neatly within the bed perimeter and prevents erosion This is especially helpful on sloped sites
- Finishes bed edges – The clean, defined edge lends a polished “finished” look. Edging transforms an informal pile of soil into an intentional garden feature.
- Protects plants – Beds raised up above ground level are safer for plants with edging that buffers from foot traffic and lawn mowers.
- Simplifies maintenance – Edging reduces the need to trim grass and weeds between beds. It provides a straight edge to guide the hose when watering.
- Adds decoration – From simple to ornate, edging introduces color, texture, and creativity. It enhances overall garden design.
In short, edging takes raised garden beds from good to great with both form and function!
Popular Material Options for Raised Bed Edges
There are numerous edging solutions suitable for raised beds, each with their own pros, cons, and installation considerations:
- Landscape Timbers – These wooden beams slot neatly together. Very rugged and natural looking. Requires periodic sealing.
- Plastic Lumber – Affordable, easy to install. Withstands weather but can appear flimsy. Various colors.
- Steel – Very durable aluminium and steel versions. Can have industrial vibe. Avoid sharp top edge.
- Stone – Provides timeless, natural style. Needs good base for stability. Granite and fieldstone are common choices.
- Brick – Classic modular option. Install tightly without gaps. Concrete brick lasts longer than clay.
- Bamboo – Versatile green material adds a breezy, informal feel. Hardier varieties recommended.
- Recycled plastic – Quick to install, reusable eco-friendly versions available. Less sturdy than permanent edging.
- Concrete – Shapes include curves and angled corners. Allows smooth height transitions.
Consider longevity, appearance, installation difficulty, and budget when weighing the options for your unique space and style.
Key Considerations for Choosing Edging
Assess the following variables to select optimal edging for your raised beds:
- Durability – How long will it last before needing replacement?
- Height – Size appropriately for soil level. A few inches above soil line is ideal.
- Appearance – Match edging style to your garden’s overall look and feel.
- Lawn mower access – Will edging interfere with mowing? Protective trim might be required.
- Install method – Choose edging you can easily DIY or will need professional help.
- Maintenance – Some materials need periodic sealing, sanding, or repainting.
- Budget – Weigh cost of materials plus labor if hiring installation.
- Plant protection – Avoid thin, sharp edges. Opt for soft, rounded styles.
Carefully considering these factors will lead you to the perfect edging choices for your unique space.
Creative Edging Ideas to Inspire Your Design
Beyond the basic border, some creative edging possibilities can add flair:
- Accent the corners with pavers, rocks, or metal flowers for a decorative touch.
- Alternate wood plank sections painted in contrasting colors for bold definition.
- Mimic a parterre garden with dense brick or stone dividing grid lines.
- Use materials asymmetrically – steel in front, stone on sides.
- Outline beds with different heights, textures, or leave intermittent gaps.
- Train vines along wire or trellised edging for softening.
- Illuminate edges with solar lights or uplights for drama.
Think about how edging choices can enhance views, create focal points, and highlight the best features of your garden.
Installation Tips for Edging Longevity
Proper installation ensures edging remains securely and neatly in place:
- Dig trenches deep enough for materials to be stable, with several inches buried.
- Build up a gravel base if needed, especially when using brick or stone.
- Check edges frequently for level placement, adjusting as you build courses.
- Secure pieces together tightly without gaps using provided connectors, stakes, or adhesive.
- Use corner pieces rather than mitering for seamless angles.
- Backfill soil over edging lip once in place. Pack firmly.
Taking time to correctly install edging leads to a polished look that will last for years to come.
Maintaining and Enhancing Edging Over Time
With regular care, edging can remain looking fresh and new:
- Reseal wood edging annually to avoid rotting and extend life.
- Pull weeds regularly to limit root damage, especially between pavers.
- Refill soil erosion and fix tilting pieces for stability.
- Reshape plastic edging with heat gun if warping occurs.
- Replace cracked mortar between brick or stones promptly.
- Touch up paint colors on wood or metal edging when needed.
Enhancing plain edging over time also boosts garden design:
- Add decorative stones, sea glass, marbles or sculptures along top edge.
- Accent the corners with colorful annuals spilling over.
- Attach trellises to wood planks for climbing vines.
- Alternate paver materials – flagstone, brick, concrete – for texture.
- Incorporate driftwood, branches, or rustic antiques along edges.
With the right maintenance and creative embellishments, edging for raised beds can improve over time rather than deteriorate.
Key Takeaways
Edging is an essential design element that lends raised garden beds a polished, professional look while neatly containing soil, mulch and plant materials. Assess factors like cost, appearance, and installation method when selecting from the diverse edging options for your unique space. Taking steps to properly install and care for edging will keep your raised beds looking their best for many years of gardening enjoyment.
Lumber Dealers Don’t Want You To Know About This SECRET WOOD For RAISED BED GARDENING
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to edge a garden bed?
Plastic or rubber edging materials are the cheapest ways to edge your garden.
What should I line the sides of my raised garden bed with?
“You can line your raised bed to make it more durable and to prevent toxics from leaching into the soil. For lining, use landscape fabric found at gardensupply stores or cloth fabric from clothing. Avoid non-porous plastic, as it can retain too much water and discourage beneficial insects and worms.”
What do professional landscapers use for edging?
Concrete Edging – Concrete is a terrific choice when it comes to landscape edging as it offers unmatched durability and versatility.Mar 23, 2023
Are raised beds better than edging?
Edging is a lower-cost solution to containing your garden beds than raised beds. Repurposing and upcycling are usually my first choice for most projects around the yard for multiple reasons. This make-do-with-what-we-have (or can find) approach avoids buying new, which both conserves resources and saves money.
Why do I need edging in my garden?
To save on space. Because without containing the garden soil, especially with thick layers of organic materials, the beds tend to sprawl and taper down to the garden path. To raise the bed for easier weeding and harvesting. Edging is a happy medium between no edging and a fully raised bed.
What is garden bed edging?
Garden bed edging is the process of creating a distinct boundary between your lawn and garden areas using the earth itself or other materials. Proper edging prevents grass and weeds from invading your garden and keeps healthy mulch and soil inside the bed. This type of landscaping also keeps your yard neater by making a clear mow line.
What are the best garden edging ideas?
From traditional materials like brick and stone to more modern options like metal and plastic, in this guide, we take you through garden edging ideas that will enhance the overall look of your garden. The edging roll is one of the easiest ways to add edging to your garden.
How do you edging a garden bed?
Horizontal Log Garden Bed Edging One of the easiest ways to create a separation between a ground level bed and a path, patio or other garden zone is simply to lay natural logs horizontally around the edges of the site. Of course, you could also stack horizontal logs to create raised bed edging to a suitable height.
Do you need to edge a garden bed?
However, it may require more maintenance over time to prevent rot or insect damage. To edge your garden bed, you’ll need the following: If your garden bed has existing edging, such as plastic, pull it out of your garden bed and dispose of it properly. You can also reuse your edging if it is still in good condition.