How to Edge With Anchor Stakes

Dig a trench that outlines the garden bed. Dig to the same depth as the edging's height. Make the trench's outside edge straight down and angle the inside edge at a 45 degree angle towards the outside edge. This creates a V shape.

Turn over the soil in the garden bed with a shovel or rototiller. Do this before beginning to install the edging so the edging does will not be damaged by the shovel or rototiller.

Place the first edging strip into the trench with the curved, hooked end facing up, toward the garden bed. Attach two edging strips together with the supplied connectors. Slide the first edging strip halfway down the connector and slide the second strip into the connector to meet the first strip in the middle. Cut the strips shorter with a utility knife. Push the edging into the trench until only the rounded edge's top third is visible.

Dig holes along the garden strip's backside that indicate where the stakes go. Position these holes in the same location as the strip's V notch. The holes are unnecessary if the edging has hooks instead of notches. If the edging has no notches or hooks, dig the first hole 3 inches from the strip's end and every 4 to 5 feet after that, unless the edging curves. Curved edging requires stakes by the curve to maintain the shape.

Hold a stake against the edging in the first hole, with the bent end pointing down. Hold the stake at a 20 degree angle and hit the bent end with a hammer to pound it either through the V notch or through the edging. If the edging has hooks on the back, insert the anchor through the hook and hit it straight down with the hammer.

Fill the holes with soil and push soil tight up to the edging's back side. Stamp on the soil behind the edging to compact it. Add soil on top.