Your edging
How the picker decides
- The job comes first. Lawn edges need depth to stop runners; Illinois Extension notes a 4 inch deep, 4 inch wide cut contains bluegrass. Mulch beds need only a low lip. Gravel needs a rigid edge. Pavers need a restraint spiked into the base (ICPI).
- Digging sets the family. No digging points to no-dig strip or surface-set borders. A shallow trench opens up metal, plastic coil, brick and stone. Hiring it out adds poured concrete curbing.
- Look and budget pick within the family. Steel gives the thinnest line, Corten a rust patina, brick and stone a classic border. Material costs come from LawnStarter.
When the picker is not enough
- Slopes. On a grade, edging alone will not hold soil back. A bed edge over a few inches tall is acting as a small retaining wall and needs a different product.
- Frost. Plastic and shallow edging can heave in cold winters. Steel stakes, a lip or groove that grips the soil, and a slightly deeper set help (Illinois Extension).
- Tree roots. Near trees, no-dig edging avoids cutting roots. Check with an arborist before trenching near a valued tree.
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 |
Questions people ask
What edging is best against grass?
A buried edge about 4 inches deep or more, with the top close to the soil so the mower can pass. Steel and aluminum strip do this with the thinnest visible line; heavy plastic coil is the budget version. No-dig edging is too shallow to stop runners.
What edging holds gravel best?
A rigid edge that stands a little above the gravel: steel, aluminum or Corten strip, or stone set on a base. Lay landscape fabric under the gravel so it does not sink into the soil.
Are the suggestions tested?
No. We have not tested edging products ourselves. The picker applies the rules in our guides, which come from extension advice, maker instructions and cost guides we link to, then searches current listings for that type.
Sources
- University of Illinois Extension, Bed edges (Rhonda Ferree, 2015)
- ICPI, Tech Spec 3: Edge restraints for interlocking concrete pavements
- LawnStarter, How much does landscape edging cost? (updated December 27, 2025)
- Hunker, The best types of landscape edging
- Lawn Love, How much does landscape curbing cost? (updated October 2026)
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.