Your Guide to Garden Edging: From Free Trenches to Premium Stone

Gardens mix plants, mulch, gravel, grass—edging keeps them in their lanes. Here's a rundown of popular edging materials from least to most expensive, with pros, cons, and maintenance notes.

1. Trench Edging (Free)

A shallow V-trench between lawn and bed. Natural, casual, generations-proven. Cost: Free (tools only). Maintenance: Re-cut several times a year; string-trim edges frequently.

2. Steel Edging ($2.50–$4.50/ft)

Black = formal; green/brown = traditional; unpainted (rusts to patina) = modern. Thicker = more durable. DIY-friendly. Downside: Thin material rusts faster; even heavy Cor-Ten eventually decays at edges.

3. Bender Board ($3.50–$5.50/ft installed)

100% recycled polyethylene, flexible, wood-grain texture, 20-ft lengths. Ideal for sweeping curves. Durable (12+ years). Downside: Hard to find in rural areas; long lengths tough to transport. Wood versions (redwood) cheaper but less durable. Both need stakes. Soak wood bender board overnight for easier bending.

4. Concrete Edging ($3.70–$6.50/ft installed)

Refined curb look—clean, formal, contemporary, traditional. Permanent (decades), durable. Pro install only. Downside: Expensive; not for changers. Ground shifts can crack it—minor surface cracks OK, major crevices need repair.

5. Wood Edging ($5.25–$8.50/ft)

Casual, rustic, organic. Treated posts to landscape timbers. Straight lines only. Treated wood lasts 10+ years; untreated rots faster. Maintenance: Annual inspection, replace rotted pieces. Edible gardens: Use untreated, rot-resistant wood (no creosote/railroad ties).

6. Stone Edging (Up to $15/ft installed)

Mortared stone—organic/rustic or clean/sophisticated. Suits any style. Requires concrete footing; pro mason only. Permanent (decades if built right). Downside: Labor-intensive, expensive. Maintenance: Periodic mortar inspection; major cracks = repair.