How to Use Stone Edgers on a Slope

Dig a 4-inch-deep trench around the garden bed using a square spade. The trench's width depends on the stone edgers' length. Measure an edger's length and add 1 inch to determine your trench's width.

Lay a level in the trench. If the trench runs perpendicular to the slope, it should be level from left to right. Decide if you want the stone edgers to slope slightly or sit flat in the trench. Lay a torpedo level in the trench, from front to back, at various locations to check that the trench either sits flat or maintains an even slope from left to right. If the trench runs parallel to the slope, it should be level from front to back. The trench will follow the yard's natural slope from left to right.

Tamp down the soil in the trench with a hand tamper. Cut a strip of landscape fabric to fit into the trench. Pour sand over the landscape fabric and smooth it into a level 2-inch layer with a wood block.

Lay the first stone edger in the trench, starting from the trench's right or left end. Set a torpedo level on the stone edger. Check that the edger either sits flat in the trench or follows your desired slope. If the trench runs parallel to the slope, the edger should sit flat from front to back but will follow the natural slope from left to right. Adjust the sand underneath the edger as necessary.

Place the second stone edger into the trench, next to the first edger. Position the two edgers so their front edges line up. Use the torpedo level to check this edger's levelness. Repeat with two more edgers.

Lay a level over all four edgers. Adjust the stone edgers so all their surfaces are level with each other. Lay four more individual stone edgers then check them with a level. Continue in this way until you reach the trench's end.