Start with a clear plan.
The most important step in the installation process (and the one that often gets overlooked) is to have a clear plan for your landscape project.
Define purpose
Are you separating flower beds from your lawn? Are you adding a walkway made of pavers? Thinking about what you want from your landscape edging will ensure your project provides satisfaction and enjoyment for years to come.
Do some research
After you’ve defined your function, do some research to find inspiration that matches the aesthetic you’re looking for.
Websites: offer lots of ideas and tips. See our Inspiration Gallery.
Building stores: some local building stores have kiosks or computers in-store, and they’ll have popular landscape edging products in stock.
Decide on appearance
After you’ve defined your function and the look you’re going for, you can choose your materials. For example, Master Mark offers coiled edging, poundable edging, strip edging, and terrace board. Each has a unique appearance.
Design
After you’ve chosen your materials, it’s time to map out your space. There are several ways to do this based on your budget and work style.
Design software: there are some great tools to simplify the process. Check out this blog post for some suggestions.
Sketch: it’s old school, but with graph paper, a pencil, and an eraser, you can plot out your space.
Calculate costs (plan for overage)
Determine the number of running feet of landscape edging you’ll need, then multiply by 1.1. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, and running short of materials is incredibly frustrating and can significantly increase your completion time. Don’t forget the accessories like stakes or weed fabric.
If you’re working with a material like wood chips, mulch, or gravel, multiply width, height, and depth (do you need 4 inches of mulch or 8?). Again, multiply by 1.1 to ensure that you don’t run short.
Prepare the work area
A day or two before you start installing, walk through the site and move items such as lawn furniture, gas grills, bikes, etc. You’ll keep them from getting dirty or damaged, and remove a hazard from your work site. It’s a good idea to get a roll of yellow safety tape to block off the area. It’s quick to do and will remind kids, pets, and neighbors to keep clear.
Install your landscape edging.
You have a clear plan, all the materials, and have prepped the worksite. Now comes the good part: actually installing your landscape edging.
Mark your edge
If your design is rectangular, use stakes and string to mark off the space and ensure a crisp, straight line. To ensure you have a 90-degree angle, measure 4 feet on the long side and make a mark. Then measure 3 feet on the short side and make a mark. When the distance between those two marks is 5 feet, you have a proper 90° angle.
TIP: If your design features arcs or curves, you can define your edge with a garden hose.
Dig
Generally, some or all of your landscape edging is at ground level. In this case, you’ll need to remove some grass and soil.
If you’re using an edging product like Master Mark Dig-Free® Edging Kits or Dig-Free® Poundable Edging, you can skip this step!
Install
Set your landscape edging into the trench you’ve created and secure with stakes (such as Master Mark all-purpose landscape stakes.) If you’re using weed fabric, now’s the time to install and pin it down.
Fill
After you have installed and staked your edging, fill the lawn side of your edging with dirt. This will help secure your edging in place and create a nice smooth surface transition.
Fill the inside of your landscape bed with rock or mulch according to your design.
Enjoy
After you’ve put away your tools and washed up, go back outside and enjoy that beautiful new outdoor living space.
Ready to start your landscape edging project?
