Short answer
Gravel and mulch paths need a rigid edge that stands at or just above the fill: steel, aluminum, timber or a brick soldier course. Paver paths need a true edge restraint spiked into the compacted base, because ordinary bed edging is not an acceptable paver restraint (ICPI). Stepping stone paths often need no edge at all. Keep any edge near flush with the walking surface so it does not catch feet.
Edging by path type
| Path | Edge that works | Height of edge | Main guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | Steel, aluminum, timber, brick on end | At or just above the gravel | Gravel and mulch |
| Bark or mulch | Steel, timber, plastic, rubber | A little above the mulch | Gravel and mulch |
| Stepping stones in lawn | Usually none; the lawn is the edge | n/a | Lawn edging |
| Stepping stones in gravel | Edge the gravel bed, not the stones | At the gravel | Metal edging |
| Pavers | Paver edge restraint or concrete | Below the paver top | Paver edging |
| Brick path | Soldier course or restraint | Flush | Brick edging |
Gravel paths
Gravel wants to spread sideways every time someone steps on it, so the edge has to be stiff and anchored. Thin steel or aluminum strip gives the cleanest line and bends to follow a curving path. Timbers and boards suit straight, rustic paths. Bricks set on end make a classic border. Plastic coil is the budget choice, but the weight of stone can push it out of line over time.
The edge should stand at least as high as the top of the gravel, and the gravel should sit on a firm base and, usually, a layer of landscape fabric. The fill depths and how tall an edge you need are covered in edging for gravel and mulch.
Mulch and bark paths
Bark paths are soft and cheap, and they break down over time, so plan to top them up. Any rigid edge holds bark: steel, timber, plastic or rubber. Because bark is light, a lower edge than for gravel will do. Keep the bark a little below the top of the edge so rain does not wash it over.
Stepping stone paths
Stepping stones set in lawn usually need no edging; the stones sit flush with the turf and you mow over them. If the stones sit in gravel or mulch, edge the whole strip of fill instead of each stone. In a bed, you can let low plants grow up to the stones as a soft, living edge (more in landscape edging ideas).
Paver paths need a real restraint
Pavers are held together by the edge pushing back on them. Without a restraint, the outer rows creep and the joints open. ICPI Tech Spec 3 sets out the rules: follow the maker’s spike spacing, drive spikes into the compacted aggregate base, extend the base beyond the restraint by about the base thickness, and do not use bed edging as a paver restraint. Unilock suggests spikes every 8 to 12 inches, and Western Interlock prefers 10 inch nails at 12 inch centers (maker guidance). The full guide is paver edging.
Trip height and safety
A path edge is walked beside every day, often in the dark or while carrying something. As general advice:
- Keep it flush or close to it. An edge that sticks up more than a little above the walking surface is easy to catch with a toe or a wheelbarrow wheel.
- Soften metal tops. Thin steel strip has a sharp top edge. Choose a rolled top or a vinyl cap where people walk barefoot.
- Keep stakes on the bed side. Stakes driven on the path side work loose and become trip points.
- Re-set heaved sections. Frost can lift edging over winter. Illinois Extension notes lipped or grooved styles with steel stakes resist frost heave better.
Path widths
Set the width before you set the edge. A common rule of thumb is about 2 to 3 feet for a side path one person uses and about 4 feet or more for a main path, so two people can pass or a wheelbarrow fits. Lay both edges out with hoses, walk the line with a wheelbarrow, then mark it.
Path edging options
-
01Gravel paths
Steel or aluminum strip
Best for: gravel and bark paths with curves
- Height
- 4 to 6 in
- Shows
- At the fill line
- Top
- Rolled or capped is safer
-
02Pavers
Paver edge restraint
Best for: paver and brick paths on a compacted base
- Form
- L-shaped strip
- Fix
- Spikes into the base
- Shows
- Hidden
- Required for interlocking pavers
- Spike spacing per the maker
- Full guide: paver edging
-
03Rustic
Timber edging
Best for: straight bark or gravel paths in natural gardens
- Fix
- Rebar stakes
- Corners
- Toenailed
- Watch for
- Rot in wet soil
- Illinois Extension describes timbers held with rebar
- Avoid old creosote railroad ties
- Full guide: wood edging
Install steps are in how to install landscape edging; prices per foot are in landscape edging cost.
Questions people ask
What is the best edging for a gravel path?
A rigid edge that stands about level with the top of the gravel: steel or aluminum strip, timbers, or bricks set on end. Steel and aluminum give a thin line and follow curves. Plastic works on a budget but can bow outward under the weight of the stone.
Do paver paths need edging?
Yes. Pavers need an edge restraint that is spiked into the compacted base so the outer pavers cannot creep. ICPI Tech Spec 3 says bed edging is not an acceptable paver edge restraint. Use a purpose-made paver restraint or a concrete edge.
How high should path edging be?
As a general rule, keep the edge flush with the path surface, or only slightly above it, so it does not catch toes or wheels. On a gravel path the edge can sit a little above the gravel to stop it spilling, but rounded or capped tops are safer to walk beside.
How wide should a garden path be?
A common rule of thumb is about 2 to 3 feet for a narrow side path one person uses, and about 4 feet or more for a main path two people can walk side by side or where a wheelbarrow goes. Plan the width before you set the edging, because moving it later means digging it up.
Sources
- ICPI, Tech Spec 3: Edge restraints for interlocking concrete pavements
- Unilock, Paver edge restraint: the complete guide (maker)
- Western Interlock, Edge restraint spike placement (maker)
- University of Illinois Extension, Bed edges (Rhonda Ferree, 2015)
- Call 811, Know what is below (national call-before-you-dig line)
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Products, sizes and listings change; check the product details before you buy, call 811 before you dig, and follow the maker’s instructions.