on edge

Four garden pros share their go-to edging techniques.

- Jennifer Howell

When planning a new perennial bed or vegetable patch, one of the first things to decide is how to define the perimeter of your space. What makes that area "the garden"? You could just start planting, defining it by the plants you place or the soil you have tilled. But you may want a separation that clearly shows where the garden starts and ends.

WHY EDGE YOUR GARDEN? Giving your garden an edge, whether it is implied visually or with a physical barrier, accomplishes many things. For instance, edging can:

• Give garden beds a finished look.

• Deter lawn grasses from invading.

• Hold mulch, soil and path materials, such as gravel, in place.

• Separate the path from the garden.

CHOOSING THE BEST EDGING Some materials and techniques work better than others. It all depends on your garden style, budget, construction ability (or lack thereof), available time for maintenance and personal preferences.

We asked four landscape professionals from across the United States to share their favorite edging materials and tips for installation and maintenance. Here's what they had to say.

Cut Edge
Tera Boeauf
Tera's Gardens, LTD
Basalt, CO

When it comes to edging, Tera prefers to cut in an edge instead of installing one. She notes that metal and plastic edging can be painful on knees, feet and paws if you step wrong as you are working. Another bonus to the cut edge? You're not locked in to a certain shape—you can change the dimensions of your garden at any time.

INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE TIPS