Quick answer
Landscape edging is a cut line or a border of metal, plastic, stone, brick or concrete that separates a lawn from a planting bed or a walkway, keeping grass out of beds and mulch and soil in place.
Around pavers, the same idea becomes structural: an edge restraint holds the paving in place. The simplest edging is a spade-cut trench, which needs recutting every year.
Quick facts
The key facts about Landscape Edging, with sources:
- Common types
- Metal, plastic, concrete or brick pavers, and a simple cut edge 1
- Depth advice
- 4 to 6 in. deep to be effective, since grass root depth varies with grass, soil and moisture 1
- Cut edge upkeep
- Needs recutting at least once a year 1
- Cornell master gardener trench
- 6 in. deep and 6 in. wide, filled with sand, with the outer edge re-sliced in March and September 2
- Paver edge restraint
- At least 1 in. of vertical restraining surface in contact with the paver 3
- Mulch depth beside the edging
- 2 to 4 in. of organic mulch; 1 to 2 in. if finely textured 4
- Before trenching
- Call 811, the free national before-you-dig service 5
Key takeaways
- Edging separates two surfaces: lawn from bed, or paving from soil.
- The cheapest edge is a cut trench, but it needs recutting at least once a year, according to one extension answer.
- Depth matters more than material. Extension advises cutting or installing edging 4 to 6 inches deep.
- Around pavers, edging is structural. ICPI wants at least 1 inch of restraint touching the paver.
- No edge stops grass seed. Weeding is still part of the job.
Edging in plain English: a line that does a job
Every yard has places where one surface meets another. Grass meets a flower bed. A bed meets a path. Paving meets soil. Without a clear line, grass creeps into the bed, mulch washes onto the walk and soil spills over the stone.
Edging is the line that holds each surface in its place. A Michigan extension answer lists the main choices: metal, plastic, concrete or brick pavers, and simple cut edges 1. That list covers most yards.
The job changes with the surface. For beds, edging is about neatness and keeping grass out. For paving, edging is about holding the stones.
The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) says edge restraints provide lateral resistance to loads and are a key part of interlocking concrete pavements 3. Steel, plastic or concrete are typical restraint materials 3.
Edging is part of how soft and hard parts of a yard meet; see softscaping vs. hardscaping. This page covers the edge itself.
How an edge keeps grass out
Grass spreads by roots and by seed. An edge blocks one of these and slows the other.
- It cuts or blocks roots. The extension answer says edging should be cut or installed 4 to 6 inches deep, because grass root depth depends on the grass variety, soil type and moisture 1.
- It marks a mowing line. A cut edge or an in-ground paver strip lets the mower ride over, while raised plastic often needs string trimming after each mowing 1.
- It holds mulch and soil in. A raised or buried border keeps mulch from washing onto the lawn or path.
- It needs upkeep. Grass seeds can still spread into beds with any method, so weeding through the growing season is still needed 1.
- For pavers it carries load. The restraint is installed before the bedding sand and pavers, and should touch the side of the paver by at least 1 inch vertically 3.
- Mulch layer2 to 4 inches of organic mulch, kept off stems 4
- Bed soilPlanting soil inside the border
- EdgeCut, metal, plastic or paver strip set 4 to 6 inches deep 1
- Lawn rootsBlocked or cut at the edge
A sand-filled trench, as one Cornell master gardener describes, is one way to build the same stack. Source: [1] [4] [2]
Edging types compared: what extension sources say about each
| Type | What it is | How it works with a mower | Upkeep noted by the source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut edge (natural) | A line cut with a spade or edger; no material | The mower can ride over it | Recut at least once a year; the answer calls it the cheapest and often recommended by professional gardeners 1 |
| Plastic | Rolls or strips, often with raised parts above ground | Raised rolls often need string trimming after each mowing | String-trim along the raised parts; any edging should last several years with proper upkeep 1 |
| Metal | Strips set into the ground, steel or aluminum | Not described in the source | Set 4 to 6 inches deep per the extension answer; weed along it 1 |
| Concrete or brick pavers | A strip of units set into the ground | The mower can ride over them | Grass and weeds tend to grow between units, which need regular removal 1 |
| Sand-filled trench | A trench 6 in. deep and 6 in. wide filled with sand | Mower-friendly line | Slice the outer edge twice a year; one Cornell master gardener cuts in March and September 2 |
| Paver edge restraint | Steel, plastic or concrete set to hold paving | Not for beds; holds the paver edge | At least 1 in. in contact with the paver; set level 3 |
A bed border is not a paver restraint
A thin plastic strip that works for a bed will not hold a patio. Paver edge restraints are part of the structure. ICPI covers them in a separate guide, Tech Spec 3, and says to set them at the correct level because their tops can serve as a screed guide 3.
Example: how much sand fills a trench edge
The example below uses the inputs one Cornell master gardener reports: a bed about 200 feet long, a trench 6 inches deep and 6 inches wide, and about 2 cubic yards of sand 2. The arithmetic is ours. It shows how to size material for your own edge.
| Step | Input | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convert size to feet | 6 in. wide, 6 in. deep | 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft each | 0.5 ft by 0.5 ft |
| Cross-section | 0.5 ft by 0.5 ft | 0.5 × 0.5 | 0.25 sq ft |
| Volume for the run | 200 ft long | 0.25 × 200 | 50 cubic feet |
| Convert to cubic yards | 27 cubic feet per cubic yard | 50 ÷ 27 | About 1.85 cubic yards |
| Check against the source | The gardener reports about 2 cubic yards | Close to 1.85 | The arithmetic matches the report 2 |
Volume (cubic yards) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27
Length- Run of the edge in feet
Width and depth- Trench size in feet; divide inches by 12
27- Cubic feet in one cubic yard
Add a small allowance for settling. The right allowance depends on the material.
A real edge also loses some sand to settling and to the cut sod, so add a little. The mulch calculator and gravel calculator do the same volume math for your own run.
Where edging appears: bids, product aisles and paving specs
On a bid. Edging appears as “bed edging,” “border,” “spade cut” or “restraint.” Ask for the type, the depth and the length in feet. A line that reads “edging included” does not tell you what you will get. See our landscaping estimates guide.
In a paver spec. A paver bid should list the edge restraint type and say it is set before the bedding sand. Read the hardscape base specification.
In a bed plan. A planting and garden bed job may include a border. Ask whether it is cut, metal, plastic or stone.
In an HOA rule. Some associations set front-yard bed or border rules. Check your covenants.
Ask for depth, not only material
The extension advice is about depth: 4 to 6 inches, because grass roots run deep. A deep cut edge can beat a shallow metal strip that roots grow under 1.
What edging gives you, and where it falls short
What it does well
Where it falls short
- No edge stops grass seed from reaching a bed; weeding is still needed 1.
- Raised plastic often needs string trimming after each mowing 1.
- A cut edge needs recutting at least once a year 1.
- One master gardener reports that edging, vertical or horizontal, never works in the long haul; the answer there is a hard-worked trench with twice-a-year cutting 2.
Limits of edging, and of what we can cite
Edging separates surfaces, but it does not manage water, soil health or weeds on its own. A tall edge can also hold water in a bed or turn a slope into a dam. If water pools, the fix is grading, not a new border; see landscape grading.
The sources differ on what works. The Michigan answer lists several materials and says any can last several years with upkeep 1.
The Cornell account says edging of any kind never worked for that gardener in the long haul and prefers a sand trench cut twice a year 2. Both are real experience.
The honest summary is that results depend on grass, soil, climate and effort.
We could not find an extension or university source that rates edging materials by lifespan, cost or strength, so we do not. Manufacturer claims are not used here.
Finally, a border cannot solve a spreading grass problem alone. Grass root depth depends on the variety, the soil and moisture 1.
What drives the price of edging, and how long it lasts
We do not publish prices. The main drivers are length, material, trench depth, soil conditions and access. Metal and stone usually cost more than a cut edge; a cut edge costs labor each year. Curves take longer than straight runs. Removing sod and hauling it away adds time.
For a rough material budget, work out the trench volume with the formula above, then use the landscaping cost estimator and the cost hub to see what sets a bid.
Lifespan depends on material, soil, sun and mowing damage. The Michigan answer says any of the methods should last several years with proper upkeep 1; we do not state a longer or more exact figure. Ask for written product and installation terms.
How to put in a simple edge
A homeowner can cut a trench edge or set a bed border. Paver restraints are part of the paving job and are best left to the installer.
- Mark the line. A garden hose helps for curves and a string line for straight runs.
- Call 811 before you dig, even for a shallow trench, and wait for every utility to reply 5.
- Check that the soil is not saturated. Wet soil is easy to compact and hard to work.
- Cut a trench 4 to 6 inches deep along the line, and lift the sod 1.
- Set the border or fill the trench with sand, as the Cornell gardener does 2.
- Add mulch to the bed at the published depth, kept off stems 4.
- Check after the first mowing and after heavy rain, and fix any low spots.
Call 811, and do not turn an edge into a dam
Anyone who plans to dig should contact 811 a few business days before starting 5. Do not set a raised border where it blocks runoff or sends water toward a neighbor. Wear gloves when handling metal edging, which can have sharp edges.
Keeping an edge in shape
Edges drift. These are tasks, not dates. Timing depends on your grass and climate.
- Recut a cut edge. It needs recutting at least once a year 1. The Cornell gardener slices twice a year 2.
- Trim along raised plastic. String-trim after each mowing if the roll sits above ground 1.
- Weed through the season. Seeds spread past any edge 1.
- Clear gaps between pavers. Grass and weeds grow between units 1.
- Keep mulch at depth. Use 2 to 4 inches, and 1 to 2 inches if finely textured 4.
Warning signs an edge is failing
- Grass runs under the border. The edge may be too shallow for your grass 1.
- Plastic lifts or waves. Frost, mowing or roots may have moved it.
- Pavers shift at the edge. The restraint may be too low or not tied to the base 3.
- Mulch washes onto the lawn or path. The border may be too low, or water may be running off the bed.
- Water pools behind a raised border. Regrade or add an outlet.
If paving is moving or a wall is leaning, call the installer or a licensed contractor. See patios and walkways for what a paver job includes.
Rules and standards that touch edging
No code for bed edging. We found no building-code rule that governs a garden border. HOA covenants and local codes may set front-yard rules, so check them.
Paver edge restraints. ICPI Tech Spec 2 says a minimum of 1 inch of vertical restraining surface should contact the paver, and that restraints are typically installed before the bedding sand and pavers are laid.
ICPI publishes separate guidance in Tech Spec 3 3. These are industry guides, not laws, and contractors often follow them.
Digging. 811 is the free national before-you-dig service. Contact it a few business days before any digging 5.
Utility and drainage rules. Do not send runoff to a neighbor or a sanitary sewer. See drainage and grading.
Landscape edging vs. related terms
| Term | What it is | How it differs from edging |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape edging | A border or cut line between two surfaces 1 | Separates; holds little load |
| Edge restraint | A structural border holding pavers 3 | Carries lateral load; part of the paving |
| Mulch | A layer of material on the bed, 2 to 4 inches for organic mulch 4 | Covers soil; edging holds the layer in |
| Retaining wall | Holds soil at a change in level; see retaining walls | Engineered for soil load; edging is not |
| Landscape grading | Shapes ground slopes | Sets where water goes; edging sits on the shape |
Common edging myths
- Myth Edging stops grass for good.
- Reality Grass seeds can still spread into beds with any method, so weeding is still needed 1.
- Myth A shallow border is enough.
- Reality The extension answer advises 4 to 6 inches deep, since grass roots vary with grass, soil and moisture 1.
- Myth Plastic edging is a patio edge.
- Reality Paver restraints are structural and set to a standard of at least 1 inch of contact 3.
- Myth A cut edge is a one-time job.
- Reality It needs recutting at least once a year 1.
- Myth Edging fixes mulch washout.
- Reality Mulch can move when water runs through the bed. Fix drainage as well as the border.
The regional variable: your grass, soil and moisture
The one thing that changes the depth you need is how your grass roots behave.
The extension answer says root depth varies with the grass variety, the soil type and moisture 1, so a deeper cut can be needed in sandy or moist soil. Grass type itself follows your climate.
Our research pages cover soil and rules by region, and the local building department sets any permit or HOA rule.
When edging is worth doing, and your next step
Edging is worth it when grass keeps invading a bed, when mulch keeps escaping, or when pavers need holding. It is not worth building if the real problem is water pooling or a poorly prepared bed, because the line will not fix either.
Pick the method by effort and tolerance. A cut edge is the simplest and needs yearly work. A buried border takes more work once and less later. For paving, the installer sets the restraint.
Your next step: look at where grass or mulch is escaping, measure the length, and decide whether you want to cut it by hand or ask a company to install a border. See landscape bed preparation if you are building a new bed.
- If You want no material and will work at it yearly
- Then Spade-cut edge, recut at least once a year 1
- If You want a mower-friendly border with little trimming
- Then In-ground pavers or a buried strip 1
- If You are laying a patio or walk of pavers
- Then A paver edge restraint, set before the bedding sand 3
- If Grass keeps coming back under the border
- Then Cut deeper, 4 to 6 inches, and weed along it 1
Questions about Landscape Edging
What is landscape edging?
Landscape edging is a cut line or a border of metal, plastic, stone, brick or concrete that separates lawn from a planting bed or walkway. It keeps grass out of beds and mulch and soil in place. Around pavers, an edge restraint also holds the paving against sideways movement.
How deep should landscape edging be?
A Michigan extension answer advises cutting or installing edging 4 to 6 inches deep to be effective, because grass root depth depends on the variety, soil and moisture.
A Cornell master gardener digs a trench 6 inches deep and 6 inches wide and fills it with sand. Go deeper in sandy or moist soil if roots escape.
What is the cheapest kind of edging?
A simple cut edge needs no material, and the Michigan answer calls it the cheapest option and one often recommended by professional gardeners. It needs recutting at least once a year, so the cost is labor each season. We do not publish prices for other types.
Does plastic edging work?
It can, with limits. The extension answer notes plastic edging often has raised rolls above ground, so grass beside it needs string trimming after each mowing. Any edging should last several years with proper upkeep. Check that it is set deep enough and that frost or roots have not lifted it.
Will edging stop grass from growing into my bed?
Not entirely. Edging blocks roots and marks a mowing line, but extension notes grass seeds can still spread into beds with any method, so weeding through the growing season is needed. A deep edge and regular weeding give the best result.
What edging do I need for pavers?
An edge restraint. ICPI says typical restraints are steel, plastic or concrete, installed before the bedding sand and pavers, with at least 1 inch of vertical restraining surface touching the paver. Restraints should be set at the right level, since their tops may serve as a screed guide.
How often do I need to redo a cut edge?
At least once a year, says the Michigan extension answer. One Cornell master gardener slices the outer edge of a sand trench in March and September. Timing depends on your grass and climate, so recut when the line blurs rather than by a fixed date.
How much sand or stone do I need for an edging trench?
Multiply length, width and depth in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A trench 6 inches wide and 6 inches deep along 200 feet is 50 cubic feet, or about 1.85 cubic yards. Add a small allowance for settling. Our mulch and gravel calculators do the same math.
Do I need to call 811 to install edging?
Yes, before you dig a trench, even a shallow one. 811 is the free national before-you-dig service. Contact it a few business days before you start, wait for every utility to reply, and dig carefully around any marks. Some lines run shallower than people expect.
Should edging be above or level with the lawn?
It depends on the type. A cut edge or in-ground strip lets the mower ride over it. Raised plastic often needs trimming. Do not set a raised border where it dams water or sends runoff toward a neighbor. Choose the height by how you will mow and how water moves.
Sources
- eXtension Ask an Expert (Washtenaw County, Michigan), Borders to keep grass out of beds and how deep (2015), retrieved .
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Allegany County, Master Gardener blog: From lawn to garden, retrieved .
- ICPI Tech Spec 2, Construction of Interlocking Concrete Pavements (revised February 2020; member-distributor copy), retrieved .
- Penn State Extension, Mulching Landscape Trees, retrieved .
- 811, the national before-you-dig service, retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyreYard Research Desk. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Edging types, the 4 to 6 inch depth and the upkeep notes come from a Michigan extension answer.
The sand-trench details and the 200-foot, 2-cubic-yard report come from a Cornell master gardener’s blog, and the volume arithmetic is ours. Paver edge restraint figures are from ICPI Tech Spec 2.
We found no university source ranking materials by lifespan or strength, so none is stated. No prices are given.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.