Landscape Edging Guide: Materials, Depth, Cost, Install

01

Choose a material

Eleven kinds of edging, each drawn in section so you can see what sits above the soil and what is buried. Costs are material only, per linear foot, from published cost guides.

$1 to $3.50 / ftPlastic Easiest DIYNo-dig plastic $5 to $11 (metal) / ftSteel About $2 (Hunker) / ftAluminum Moderate DIYCorten steel $3 to $21.50 / ftNatural stone $2.50 to $6.50 / ftBrick Moderate DIYPaver edge restraint $3 to $8 poured / ftConcrete curbing $2.50 to $7 / ftWood $1.50 to $4 / ftRubber

02

Three things decide the edge

Get these right and almost any material will look good for years. Get one wrong and it heaves, wanders or lets the lawn into the bed.

What it borders
Lawn needs a buried edge that stops runners. Mulch beds need a low lip. Gravel and paths need a rigid edge a little taller than the fill. Pavers need a restraint spiked into the base (ICPI). Compare materials.
How deep it goes
Most buried edging sits about 3 to 5 inches deep with the top at or just above grade, often 1/2 to 1 inch for metal (Gertens). A 4 inch deep cut is enough to contain bluegrass, per Illinois Extension. How deep to set it.
Cost per foot
Measure along the curve, add about 10 percent, then price by the foot. Plastic starts near $1 a foot in material; metal runs about $5 to $11 (LawnStarter). Full cost guide.

04

Materials at a glance

Material cost per linear foot from published cost guides, before labor. The asterisk links to the source for each number.

Fig. 2 Edging profiles side by side at grade. Thin strips disappear; brick, stone and curbing become part of the design.

Landscape edging materials at a glance

Material	Material cost per ft	DIY	Curves	Watch for
Plastic	$1 to $3.50 *	Easy	Yes	Can heave in frost and crack in cold
No-dig plastic	Plastic range *	Easiest	Yes	Does not stop grass roots
Steel	$5 to $11 (metal) *	Moderate	Yes	Sharp top edge; rusts unless coated
Aluminum	About $2 (Hunker) *	Moderate	Yes	Dents more easily than steel
Corten steel	Metal range or more *	Moderate	Yes	Early rust runoff can stain paving
Natural stone	$3 to $21.50 *	Hard work	Yes	Grass creeps through gaps
Brick	$2.50 to $6.50 *	Moderate	Gentle	Shifts without a base
Paver edge restraint	Varies by system *	Moderate	Yes	Needs spikes into a compacted base
Concrete curbing	$3 to $8 poured *	Pro job	Yes	Permanent; can crack
Wood	$2.50 to $7 *	Easy	Short pieces only	Rots in wet soil over time
Rubber	$1.50 to $4 *	Easy	Yes	Looks less natural up close

Pros and cons of each, side by side: landscape edging materials compared.

05

Edging by where it goes

The same strip behaves differently next to turf, mulch, gravel or a walkway. Start from the job.

Flower bedsKeep mulch in and the outline crisp.Lawn edgesStop grass runners and give the mower a line.Garden pathsHold gravel, mulch or stepping stones in place.Gravel and mulchTaller, rigid edges for loose fill.

06

Plan and install

Step by step installs for trench and no-dig edging, how deep to set it, what it costs, ideas, and the brands you will see on the shelf.

Plan and installHow to install edging Plan and installHow deep to install edging Plan and installLandscape edging cost Plan and installEdging materials compared Plan and installLandscape edging ideas Plan and installLandscape edging brands

07

Shop by type

Straight to current listings. Read the matching guide first if you are not sure which type fits.

Steel landscape edgingRead the guide firstAmazon
Plastic edging coilsRead the guide firstAmazon
No-dig edging kitsRead the guide firstAmazon
Aluminum edgingRead the guide firstAmazon
Paver edge restraintRead the guide firstAmazon
Rubber edgingRead the guide firstAmazon
Stone-look bordersRead the guide firstAmazon
Half-moon edgersRead the guide firstAmazon

08

Questions people ask

What is the best landscape edging?

There is no single best. Steel is the most durable thin edge and suits lawns and gravel; plastic is the low-cost DIY choice for beds; brick and stone give a classic look but need a sand base; poured concrete curbing is a permanent mow strip a crew installs. Match the material to what the edge borders and your budget per foot.

How deep should landscape edging be?

Most buried edging goes about 3 to 5 inches into the soil with the top at or just above grade, roughly 1/2 to 1 inch showing for metal. Against lawn, deeper is better because grass runners travel under shallow edges. Follow the depth on the product’s instructions.

How much does landscape edging cost per foot?

LawnStarter puts material at about $1 to $3.50 per linear foot for plastic, $1.50 to $4 for rubber, $2.50 to $6.50 for brick, $2.50 to $7 for wood, $5 to $11 for metal and $3 to $21.50 for stone, with pro labor adding roughly $1.50 to $10 per foot. Prices vary by region and product.

Does no-dig edging really work?

For holding mulch and outlining a bed, yes: it sits on the soil and is held down with long spikes. It does not reach deep enough to stop spreading grass roots, so where lawn meets the bed a buried edge does a better job.

Do I need to call 811 before installing edging?

If you are digging a trench or driving long stakes, call 811 a few working days ahead. The service is free, and the exact notice period depends on your state. Utility lines are sometimes shallower than you expect.

Sources: LawnStarter, University of Illinois Extension, Gertens, ICPI, Call 811. We have not tested these products; see how we choose.

Landscape edging, done right