Edging for Landscaping

Wood

• Wood edging can consist of logs, wooden planks, bark or oak mulch. The benefit of using wooded logs or branches is that you may find most of the materials that you need in your yard. Bark and oak mulch will slowly decompose over time and lower your soil's pH range. A lower pH range can promote the growth of acid-loving plants such as roses and azaleas. However, avoid using these types of material if you have alkaline-loving plants like bigleaf hydrangeas.

Stones

• Stones or gravel are popular choices for those who live in wooded regions or deserts that have rugged landscapes. They come in tan, black, green and beige just to name a few common gravel colors. Stones and gravel can be as tiny as a pea or large as a medium-sized boulder. Gardeners can use stones to blend the edging into the rest of the landscape. Also, you may find stones that you can use around your property. It is helpful when using stones to lay the largest ones down first to establish a level study foundation.

Plastic Edging

• Plastic edging is a cost-effective option when purchasing garden edging. This type of edging can be cut to fit your garden beds, place around trees or shrubs or to use on either side of pathways. The plastic that is used can be from milk jugs, scrap rubber or recovered plastic according to the Untied States Environmental Protection Agency. You can find edging in black, green or brown and in a variety of feet and thickness. Edging comes in large rolls that can be rolled out and cut into the correct size for the gardening bed. Moreover, edging takes longer to decompose than organic choices. When using plastic edging, make sure that you have several inches stuck above the soil line to help prevent weeds from spreading into the flowerbed areas.

Landscape Fabric

• Landscape fabric is commonly used in areas that have major weed problems, because it helps prevent weed seeds from germinating underneath the material. Strips of landscape fabric can be cut to lay around your flowers. Landscape pins secure the fabric. Because landscape fabric breaks down from the sun and frays, cover the fabric with mulch or compost.