Do It Yourself Landscape Edging

Select the pattern layout you want to use for your edging if using brick or pavers. Measure the width of the bricks or pavers as they are arranged in that pattern to determine the width of the edging. If you using stones or river rocks, simply choose the width you want to make the edging.

Mark both sides of the border lines for the edging starting along the edge of the garden bed using flour or an outside marking spray. Follow the width determined from Step 1 as your guide for marking the lines, double-checking with the tape measure for consistency.

Use a shovel to remove all grass and soil from between the marked border lines to form a trench 5 inches deep with flat walls and a flat bottom.

Lay a strip of landscaping fabric at least as wide as the width of your edging plus 12 inches into the trench and run it down the entire length of the trench. Center the fabric width so it runs up both side walls of the trench.

Pour 3 inches of builder's sand over the fabric into the bottom of the trench. Smooth the sand flat and level with a board. Use a level to check that the sand isn't spread at an angle.

Place your bricks or pavers over the sand according to your pattern, or pour stones or river rocks over the sand, from one end of the edging to the other. Keep gaps between the bricks and pavers as small as possible.

Spread a ½-inch coating of sand over the edging material. Use a broom to sweep the sand between bricks and pavers, if you used them. Rain will settle the sand and stabilize the edging.

Use scissors to trim away any landscaping fabric that sticks up beyond the uppermost surface of your bricks, pavers or stone.