Outsmart Overgrown Lawns With Plastic Edging Any DIYer Can Install
Do you dread wrestling with an encroaching, unruly lawn that keeps overtaking your garden beds, walkways and other landscaped areas? Are you wasting hours maintaining the edges and meticulously manicuring a defined border around tree rings or a patio? We have a simple, game-changing solution for you - installing flexible and durable plastic lawn edging to create a crisp boundary that keeps grass and weeds in their place with minimal upkeep.
With easy DIY installation, customized heights to suit your needs, and styles ranging from subtle to decorative, plastic edging helps you reclaim control and makes your greenery look like it got a professional makeover. Achieve a magazine-worthy landscape without the high cost!
Advantages of Using Plastic Edging for Overgrown Lawns
Compared to old-fashioned metal, stone or wood borders, today's plastic lawn edging offers homeowners some clear benefits when dealing with unruly grass and gardens.
Aesthetic Appeal
Nothing looks more polished and put-together than a crisp, straight edge delineating where the flawless lawn ends and the immaculate flower bed begins. Plastic edging creates an instant upgrade to your home's curb appeal and enhances its perceived value.
Protection for Landscaping and Beds
Without a physical barrier in place, string trimmers and lawn mowers can easily damage trees, garden plants and decorative elements like mulch as you do maintenance. Edging protects your valuable landscaping.
Keeps Grass and Weeds Under Control
Overgrown grass travels far, sending roots and shoots where they don't belong. Edging cuts off access to garden beds, keeping your plants free of unwanted greenery and stopping the need for constant weeding, pruning and spraying.
Better Pesticide and Herbicide Use
When lawn treatments are applied right up to planted areas, drifting spray or granules can cause collateral damage. Edging allows targeted application only where needed.
Straighter Lines for Mowing and Trimming
Your mower wheels can ride smoothly along edging's firm surface for tidy lines. No more guessing where grass meets gravel!
Budget-Friendly DIY Installation
Skip the landscaper markup and fancy tools - nearly anyone can handle this easy, straightforward yard project independently without breaking the bank.
Key Considerations When Choosing Plastic Lawn Edging
With so many options on the market, keep the following criteria in mind when selecting the best plastic edging for your lawn and garden needs:
Height
For a subtle look, low-profile edging 2-4 inches high gets the job done unseen. Or make a bolder statement with taller, more decorative varieties up to 8 inches high that become a focal feature.
Thickness and Durability
Look at thickness/gauge measurements and material quality when comparing products. Heavier plastic flexes less for better formation.
Style
Choices range from basic straight edging to scallops, points, curves and interlocking or overlapping pieces for seamless corners and custom designs.
Anchoring Method
Consider ease of installation for your soil type. Options include stakes, spikes, adhesive and additional ground anchor accessories to keep edging firmly rooted.
Preparing for Installation
Getting your lawn and garden area ready is half the battle for smooth edging installation. Follow these preparatory steps:
Mark the Layout
Use string, lime, paint or a garden hose to map where edging will go, keeping the line gentle and natural.
Clear Existing Grass and Plants
Remove all vegetation several inches along the entire marked path so edging can contact soil underneath.
Dig Trenches for Concealed Edging
To hide part of shorter edging underground, trenches should be 2-4 inches deep and 2 inches wider than product width.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Installing plastic lawn edging is simple with basic DIY skills. Just follow these steps:
Dig Trenches or Start Holes
Use a shovel or manual lawn edger to form trenches for setting edging strips into the ground along your marked layout. For staked edging, dig starter holes instead.
Secure Starter Pieces
Place the first edging piece with its end in the trench or hole and anchor with attached stakes or landscape spikes, ensuring it's level.
Join Additional Sections
Connect more edging end-to-end, lining up holes to thread stakes through abutted segments to keep joined tightly.
Backfill the Trench
Shovel soil over the trench to just below top edge height for stability. Pack firmly around the edging with heel pressure.
Recheck Level and Anchoring
Walk along edging to verify consistent height above soil and solid anchoring throughout, adjusting as needed before finalizing.
Finishing Touches
Put the completed edging area together with these aesthetic touches:
Discourage Grass and Weed Ingrowth
Applying gravel, small rocks or mulch along the top edge deters unwanted sprouting for a super-crisp border.
Smooth and Level Soil
Gently grade, rake and press soil evenly on both sides of edging to showcase the flawless line it creates.
Decorate Corners
Add flair with commercial corner ramp pieces or DIY markers using stone, ceramic or caps at angles.
Maintaining Your New Plastic Lawn Border
Preserve that primped look with simple periodic upkeep:
Check Anchoring
Walk the border after extreme weather to ensure edging remains fully seated. Fix gaps by re-securing.
Re-Secure Any Lifted Areas
Drive new landscape spikes or stakes through existing holes where any sections pull up from soil movement or lawn care work.
Control Edging Overgrowth
Stay vigilant pruning back grass or weeds trying to creep over the barrier from either side to keep edges ultra-crisp.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While plastic lawn edging is low-maintenance, occasional problems can arise:
Settling and Improper Leveling
Ground movement over time may leave edging uneven. Re-level any sunken sections with added stakes.
Vegetation Encroachment
Vigorously growing lawns or spreading gardens may overwhelm barriers. Widen cleared margins or increase edging height.
Material Degradation
Constant sun exposure, fertilizer or extreme weathering can damage plastic. Switch to a more durable style when replacing.
Fulfill your inner landscaper dreams without big bills or years of experience. With handy plastic lawn edging guiding your grass, gardens and walkways into place, your yard gains structure and style instantly - leaving neighbors envious of its magazine-worthy polish and precision.
The power is now in your hands to conquer unkempt lawn creep quickly, gaining back hours of your precious personal time each season. No special tools or tricky techniques needed! With simplified installation, near-zero maintenance and the flexibility to reconfigure down the road, this is hands-down one of the savviest investments and instant upgrades you can make curbside.