While plastic edging can feel like wearing a tube top to prom, metal edging feels like wearing the most elegant dress. This style of landscape edging creates a clean look that lets your garden stick out.
The only problem, some people are confused about its installation. So, how do you install steel garden edging?
Start by measuring out the portion of edging that you need to surround your garden. By marking it ahead of time, it will help you visualize the final product.
Be sure to measure for height as well, as you will want to dig a trench so that the steel edging has a firm base.
In the rest of this article, we will detail the process you need to follow to install metal edging.
A Step-By-Step Process On Installation of Metal Edging
- Measure and mark where the edging will go
- Dig a trench
- Place the edging into the trench, adding stakes as needed
- Cut and break the edging as needed
- Backfill your trench
Step One: Measure and Mark Where the Edging Will Go
Step one to landscape edging is to mark the outer end of your garden beds. The edging is the official end of these beds, and drawing them will be necessary to determine your preferred appearance.
Typically, editing is scored and broken at 90-degree angles. The measurement and placement of these are also commonly done with a garden hose. A hose provides an excellent method of marking where your hole is going to be.
Step Two: Dig the Trench
Garden edging needs firmly in place with a trench. For that edging to be firm, you need to be sure that it is deep enough. If not, any slight ground movement (like a car passing by) will cause it to pop out of place.
A hand trowel is a perfect tool for this job. If you don’t have one, check out the Ergo Garden Hand Trowel from Fiskars.
For example, if you were to use the Worth Garden Mini Fence, you would probably put a bit more than half of it in. Four inches coming out of the ground is pretty solid, giving it a solid base to prevent wiggling.
Step Three: Place the Edging Into The Trench
Once you feel comfortable with your couple-inch wide and several feet long trench, you can start placing the edging. Remember, try and get a bit more than a half of it inside.
Follow the instructions included with your owner’s manual if you are ever unsure.
Most edging comes with stakes that allow you to hammer them in. Place each stake about a couple of feet away from each other.
Measure out the total width of this section of the fence if you want things to look even.
Don’t use a hammer, as you will end up breaking and bending your edging. Instead, use a rubber mallet that has a good bounce.
If you find it difficult to push the edging in, moisten the soil. Wet dirt is a little easier to work with; just don’t let it dry again, as that will make your job more difficult.
Step Four: Cut and Score The Edging As Needed
If you are creating boxes, you can score these fences with a simple hacksaw. Make sure that when you turn the wall, the two corners align together.
If you don’t have a hacksaw, Craftsman has an excellent 12-inch option perfect for this job scale.
This scoring and cutting are why it is essential to measure beforehand. If you run out of edging before the project finishes, you will have an incomplete mess.
What If I Want Curved Edging?
If you want a curved edging, curve your garden hose along your chosen path in step one. Follow all of the same steps, but be sure that your edging is suitable for curvature.
EasyFlex makes suitable curving landscape edging that fulfills a variety of landscaping needs. Stakes are also built into the edging, allowing you to pound them down with relative ease.
Step Five: Backfill Your Trench
Once you finish hammer it down a bit, you will want to place the same dirt back into your trench. If you still have your mallet out, you can use that to pound down the ground. However, that might be tough, so you might want to walk on it.
You will know you are done once you see the dirt at the same level you had beforehand. You want to be sure that soil is packed down tight, as any car driving by would love to undo all the work you just did.
Final Thoughts
Metal edging as a landscape tool is a great way to give your house an elegant look. With a bit of work, you will make your home beautiful and possibly increase its value.
If you are wondering about other ways to increase your home value, check out these smart gas ranges you can control with an app. Thanks for reading.
