Short answer
Bury most strip edging about 3 to 5 inches deep and leave about 1/2 to 1 inch above grade. Gertens suggests 3/4 to 1 inch above grade for metal, and maker Edge Right says most metal edging goes 4 to 6 inches into the ground. Dig the trench a little deeper than the edging; a Permaloc retailer note says about 1 inch deeper. Brick and stone need a trench for the unit plus about 1 inch of sand. No-dig edging sits at the surface.
Depth by material
How deep edging goes, by material
| Material | Buried depth | Above grade | Source or basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel strip | About 4 to 6 in | About 3/4 to 1 in | Edge Right (maker), Gertens |
| Aluminum strip | Most of a 3 to 5-1/2 in strip | About 1/2 to 1 in | Permaloc heights (maker); trench 1 in deeper (retailer) |
| Plastic coil | Most of the strip; only the bead shows | The top bead | Illinois Extension (round tops) |
| No-dig plastic | Spikes only; no trench | Short wall at the surface | EasyFlex listing |
| Brick | Trench for the brick plus about 1 in sand | Flush to a few inches | Gertens |
| Stone | Trench for the stone plus about 1 in sand | Flush to a few inches | Gertens, Illinois Extension |
| Concrete curb | Set by the installer | Low, a mow strip | Pro install |
| Timber | Partly buried, held with rebar | Most of the timber | Illinois Extension |
| Paver restraint | Spikes into the compacted base | Below the paver top | ICPI Tech Spec 3 |
These are general guides. Always check the product instructions first, because heights vary by model and listings do not always agree.
Depth by use
- Lawn next to a bed: deep enough to block runners. Illinois Extension says a spade edge 4 inches deep and 4 inches wide contains bluegrass, which is a sensible minimum for buried edging too. See lawn edging.
- Bed with no lawn beside it: only deep enough to stay upright. A shallow or no-dig edge is fine.
- Gravel or rock: the edge must be taller than the fill plus an anchor below. Deep rock often needs a 6 or 8 inch strip. See edging for gravel and mulch.
- Pavers: depth is set by the base, not the soil. Spikes go into compacted aggregate, per ICPI. See paver edging.
How high above grade
Above-grade height is a trade-off. Too low and mulch spills over and grass climbs across the top; too high and the mower hits it and people trip on it. For metal, Gertens suggests about 3/4 to 1 inch above grade. As a general rule:
- Lawn side: about 1/2 to 1 inch, so a mower wheel can pass.
- Mulch or gravel side: the fill should finish just below the top.
- Paths: as close to flush as you can, to avoid a trip edge (see garden path edging).
- Flush mow strips: brick, pavers or concrete set level with the lawn so the mower rides on them.
Trench depth: dig a little extra
Dig the trench a little deeper than the buried height of the edging. That gives room to backfill under low spots and set a smooth, even top line. A retailer note for Permaloc CleanLine says to trench about 1 inch deeper than the edging and lists 12 inch interlocking aluminum stakes. For brick and stone, Gertens suggests a trench deep enough for the edger plus 1 inch of sand.
Frost heave: why edging rises
In cold climates, wet soil freezes and expands, pushing up anything shallow or loosely held. Over a few winters, poorly anchored edging creeps up out of the ground. University of Illinois Extension mentions frost heaving as a problem with steel edging and notes that plastic is hard to keep in place, while lipped or grooved styles with steel stakes resist heave.
To limit it:
- Bury more of the strip, not less.
- Use more stakes than the minimum, angled, and at every join.
- Tamp the backfill firm so water does not sit against the edge.
- In spring, tap heaved sections back down with a rubber mallet while the soil is soft.
Tools for setting depth
Full steps are in how to install landscape edging. Choosing a material? See materials compared.
Questions people ask
How deep should landscape edging be to stop grass?
At least about 4 inches. University of Illinois Extension says a spade edge 4 inches deep and 4 inches wide contains bluegrass, so a buried edge should reach at least that far. Grasses with deeper runners may need a 6 or 8 inch strip.
How much edging should show above the ground?
Usually about 1/2 to 1 inch next to lawn. Gertens suggests leaving metal edging about 3/4 to 1 inch above grade. Next to gravel or mulch, the edge should sit at or a little above the top of the fill.
How deep should I dig the trench for edging?
A little deeper than the buried part of the edging, so you can set the height exactly and backfill under low spots. A retailer note for Permaloc aluminum edging says about 1 inch deeper than the edging.
Why does my edging keep rising out of the ground?
Usually frost heave: wet soil freezes, expands and lifts anything shallow or loosely staked. Bury the edging deeper, stake it more often, and choose lipped or grooved styles with steel stakes, which University of Illinois Extension says resist frost heave.
Sources
- Edge Right, Types of landscape edging: why size and depth matter (maker)
- Gertens, Edging options beyond vinyl (garden center guide)
- Permaloc aluminum edging product data (maker, via Sweets)
- Permaloc CleanLine aluminum edging listing (Elite Metal Tools)
- University of Illinois Extension, Bed edges (Rhonda Ferree, 2015)
- Dimex EasyFlex no-dig edging kit listing (Do it Best)
- ICPI, Tech Spec 3: Edge restraints for interlocking concrete pavements
- 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.