Edging for Garden Borders

Benefits

• Edgings provide a visual line between lawns and garden borders, creating a neat, manicured effect. Edgings also keep grass out of gardens and may simplify mowing tasks.

Types

• Edgings are available in a wide variety of man-made or natural materials. Make natural, inexpensive edging from cut boards or landscape timbers -- or for a durable edging, install stones, bricks or pavers. For a permanent border, use a molded cement edging. Victorian edging, or a V-shaped trench dug between the lawn and the beds, creates natural edging at no cost.

Considerations

• Choose an edging complement the style of your home. Landscaping timbers are appealing with cabins, casual homes and cottages, while bricks and pavers look better with formal homes. Elevated edging is hard to mow around and requires hand trimming, while the lawn mower moves easily over trench edging or metal edging.