Crisp, stylish landscape edging makes the difference between a ho-hum lawn and an exquisite one.

Fortunately, there are many different ways to create beautiful edging, so you can choose the edging that best complements your home. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of five landscape edging options that can create that crisp, well-maintained look you're after.

Deep Spade Edge: 3 to 4 Inches in Depth
A nice, deep spade edge creates clean lines all around the border of your lawn.

Benefits

• Deep spade edges are great for retaining and corralling mulch. 
• It's easy to mow around, adjacent to, and on top of deep spade edges.
• It's the most affordable edging option available.

Drawbacks

• Deep spade edging is a little tricky to maintain. You have to use a weed trimmer on its side to keep the edging looking neat, trim, and clean.
• Edging must be completely redone on a yearly basis, which can be quite time-consuming. If you have a large lawn, this chore could be daunting.

Metal or Plastic Edging Restraints

Like deep spade edging, metal and plastic edging creates a nice clean edge.

Benefits

• Metal or plastic edging is still relatively inexpensive to purchase and install.
• It's durable, and it may last five or more years before it has to be replaced.

Drawbacks

• It's time consuming to install.
• As the ground freezes and thaws, metal and plastic edging sometimes pops up, requiring additional maintenance.
• Mowing can be difficult around metal and plastic edging. If you mow on top of plastic edging, it may get chopped up by the mower blades. With metal edging, mower blades may become dulled, or the edging may become damaged.

Segmental Stone Wall

Unilock produces wall pavers, such as their Brussels Block and Estate Wall, which are ideal for creating stone wall edging around a lawn.

Benefits

• If the wall is installed properly, it can be a long-term, no-maintenance edging solution. Unlike the previous edging methods, you won't have to deal with yearly maintenance. The edging pavers are glued together, so shifting is never an issue.
• Segmental stone walls have a beautiful appearance and clean look.
• Hardscaping like segmental stone wall edging increases the value of your home.

Drawbacks

• Segmental stone wall edging is more expensive than deep spade, plastic, and metal edging.
• It requires excavation for proper installation. Without excavation, the wall will eventually sink as the ground settles. We use a limestone or concrete base to ensure your wall's stability.
• Your ongoing lawn maintenance may require the use of a weed trimmer to get a nice, clean grass edge.

Dry Stack Stone

Relatively new to edging options, dry stack stone looks unique, organic, and interesting.

Benefits

• Dry stack stone edging offers an all-natural, organic edging solution
• It adds height and visual interest to the perimeter of your lawn.

Drawbacks

• Installation of dry stack stone requires leveling.
• A sand or stone base must be installed beneath the dry stack stone to keep it from settling unevenly.
• Dry stack stone requires the skill of an experienced technician, which adds to the cost of installation.

Concrete Curbing

Professional and clean, concrete curbing is easy to care for and extremely flexible.

Benefits

• Concrete curbing offers the durability of segmental walls at a lower cost.
• It can be customized with colors and design options to suit your home.
• Concrete curbing has the design flexibility to create flowing curves, straight lines, and custom designs.
• Like other permanent landscape edging options, it increases your home value.
• Installation is quick, usually completed in just one day.

Drawbacks

• Concrete curbing is more expensive than deep spade edging and metal and plastic edging.

Questions on how to get the perfect edging for your landscape? Contact Green Impressions for more information, we're happy to help.