You’ve put time and effort into making your landscape beautiful–lush green grass, vibrant flowers, and well-placed plants–but something still feels unfinished.
If you want to take your curb appeal to the next level, the secret might be in the details. Decorative landscape edging is the perfect way to create clean, polished lines that define your outdoor space and give it a refined, intentional look.
Let’s explore the benefits of landscape edging, the different yard edging materials available, and how to choose the right style for your property.
Benefits of Landscape Edging at Your Home
When it comes to landscaping, first impressions matter, and one of the easiest ways to boost your home’s curb appeal is by installing landscape edging.
Let’s explore some of the benefits yard edging offers:
1. Enhanced Curb Appeal
A well-defined edge around your garden beds or lawn creates an instant, polished look. Edging helps separate different areas of your landscape, drawing attention to your flowers, shrubs, and trees. This clean separation adds a sense of order and organization and can elevate the entire appearance of your home’s exterior, making it look fresh and inviting.
2. Water Management and Soil Retention
A landscape border is not just about aesthetics though, it’s also practical. Proper edging helps manage water flow by directing rainwater where it’s needed, preventing soil erosion, and keeping your flower and vegetable beds from washing away. In Central Texas, where water conservation is crucial, edging can ensure that moisture is retained in your beds, which is vital for healthy plants, especially during dry spells.
3. Weed Management
One of the most frustrating aspects of maintaining a garden is dealing with weeds. Landscape edging acts as a barrier between your garden and unwanted grass or weeds, reducing their ability to spread into your carefully planted beds. This not only saves time and energy but also reduces the need for constant weeding and chemical treatments, giving your garden a neat, tidy appearance.
4. Easy Lawn Maintenance
Edging provides a clear separation between your grass and garden, making lawn care a breeze. When it comes time to mow, you won’t have to worry about trimming grass that creeps into your flower beds, and your lawnmower won’t damage your delicate plants. Edging essentially creates a buffer zone that makes your lawn care routine faster and easier.
Types of Yard Edging
Landscape edging comes in a variety of materials so that you can choose an edging option that complements your home’s style. The right yard edging choice can help you create the atmosphere you’re going for, whether it’s rustic, modern, or traditional.
Let’s explore the four most popular types of decorative landscape edging found here in Central Texas.
Natural Edging
When it comes to creating a natural and clean look for your landscape, what we call natural edging is the perfect choice. It’s the most popular and least expensive option for defining the border between garden beds and turf.
Often referred to as a “V-cut” edge, this style involves creating a clean, angled trench that delineated the mulch, stone, or soil of your garden from the surrounding grass. The result? A crisp, defined boundary that’s both subtle and effective.
The upkeep for natural edging is minimal. A weed eater is used to keep the edges neat and tidy, and once a year the edging should be touched up, ensuring the border stays sharp and clean.
Flexible Edging
If you’re looking for something more durable and defined than natural edging but is still relatively easy to maintain, Benda Board is an excellent option.
We often recommend Benda Board 1x4 or 1x6 for landscapes that require a bit more structure while still maintaining a clean, subtle appearance. This synthetic material is incredibly versatile and offers a host of benefits, making it a popular choice for homeowners who want to keep things looking neat without frequent upkeep.
It’s easy to mold to different shapes and curves, allowing you to create seamless transitions and neat borders around your flower beds or garden features. Unlike traditional wood edging, it will not rot, fade, or deteriorate over time.
Benda Board is also extremely safe. The board has rounded surfaces and corners, which helps prevent sharp edges that could be a safety hazard, especially if you have children or pets playing in your yard.
This type of landscape border works extremely well when you need to contain a loose material like cobblestones or gravel. The stakes that come with Benda Board are also synthetic, ensuring that the entire edging system will stay in place without deteriorating over time.
While this is a more costly option than natural edging, it offers long-lasting performance and flexible design options.
Decorative Landscape Edging: Stone Landscape Border
If you’re looking for a landscape edging option that adds style, durability, and a high-end look, a decorative stone border is a fantastic choice. While it’s not as commonly used as natural edging, it’s our personal favorite because of the elegant and timeless appeal it brings to any landscape.
Unlike other edging materials that may require periodic replacement, stone is a long-term investment. It withstands the elements, won’t deteriorate over time, and requires very little maintenance. Once installed, a stone border provides lasting stability for your landscape, helping to keep mulch and soil in place while resisting erosion.
There are two ways that a stone border can be installed:
- Dry Stack: This method involves carefully stacking stones without mortar, allowing for a more natural, organic appearance. It’s a bit more flexible and can be adjusted over time if needed.
- Mortared Stone: If you want a more permanent, solid structure, mortar is used to secure the stones in place. This ensures that your border stays intact for years with minimal upkeep.
While a stone border looks amazing and lasts for decades, it does come at a higher price point compared to other edging options. Material costs and labor for proper installation make this a more premium choice, but for homeowners who want a stunning and durable landscape feature, the investment is well worth it.
Steel Edging: 9 Stitches Waiting to Happen
When it comes to landscape yard edging there are plenty of great options – but steel edging is NOT one of them. We almost refuse to install it, and here’s why:
1. It’s a Safety Hazard
Steel edging may seem like a durable, low-profile option, but in reality, it is extremely dangerous. Sharp exposed edges and thin metal that can easily slice a child’s knee or pet’s paw make this an ER visit waiting to happen. The stakes that hold it in place don’t always stay put. Over time, with shifting soil and weather changes, the stakes start to work their way out of the ground, creating hidden hazards waiting to trip someone up.
2. Not Worth the Risk
While some people like the clean, modern look of steel edging, we strongly advise against it. There are plenty of other options that look great, function well, and most importantly–won’t send you to the ER.
Partnering with Green Ackors for Landscape Design Services in Waco, TX
Landscape edging is more than just a finishing touch. It enhances curb appeal, helps with water and soil retention, and keeps your beds looking their best. Whether you prefer natural edging, a flexible Benda Board, or a stunning stone border, the right choice can transform your outdoor space.
Installing landscape edging can be a lot of work and requires specialized tools and knowledge. At Green Ackors, we specialize in installing safe, durable, beautiful edging solutions that elevate your landscape. We hope you will consider us when looking to upgrade the look of your landscape beds.
Ready to boost your curb appeal with landscape edging? Get started today by filling out our contact form!
