Choosing The Best Garden Edging for Your Garden
Contemporary Town House Photographed by Marnie Hawson
Garden edging can be a significant component of any new garden build before you head off to your local garden supplies shop here are a few considerations.
Do you actually need a garden edge?
1. Spade Edging
If your budget is tight, consider whether you need to have a garden edge. The old fashioned way of using a shovel to create a defined cut into the soil dividing your lawn from your garden bed is a cost effective garden edging solution. It’s low cost is offset however with constant maintenance.
2. No Edging
You could opt for having no edge where a path meets a garden bed, like what I have done in my own garden. Downside is that I rake or blow off bark mulch scattered by birds once a week. As I love being outside and I find raking therapeutic, I don't mind that it's high maintenance but this approach isn't for everyone.
3. Pebbles, Stone, Shale Edging
Using River Pebbles, Shale or Stone as an edge can look really effective and is super low maintenance. I find it a great option along driveways if parking is tight as when the inevitable happens and a car wheel goes over the edge no damage is done.
4. Metal Garden Edging
There is no doubt that metal edging looks great, it can be shaped to form beautiful curves, provide clean lines and really helps define a garden.
I tend to use either Mild Steel or Corten Steel as metal edging. Corten steel is steel that has been heat treated so lasts longer. Mild steel is cheaper and slightly less long wearing, however it will last 20 years or more, so certainly worth using if you need to save money.
There are a few ready made metal edging products on the market. I have used this product as it does not require welding and is perfect for the home garden to install.
If you have a large job, wishing to save money or you know how to weld then getting lengths of mild steel from your local steel fabricator is what all the Landscapers use.
I generally specify mild steel 100mm high x5mm thick for standard garden edging, this gets welded to a metal stake every 1 meter.
5. Stone Edging
An expensive but timeless option is to create a stone wall or low edge to your garden bed. I have used this in my herb garden to great effect. The key is to lay a good foundation for the stones to sit on (concrete or compacted stone base) and to secure stones in place using mortar. This wall is an example of a ‘dry stone wall’ technique where the mortar is hidden.
Conclusion
Incorporating these garden edging ideas into your dream garden not only enhances its visual appeal but also provides structure and definition. Experiment with different materials, get creative with designs, and transform your outdoor space.
For some help in knowing what to plant check out my plant guide ‘Hardy Plants for Low Maintenance’. Many of the plants featured in this guide have been used in Elemental House and off-grid weekender see short video for a sneak peak.
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