Definition
Garden edging refers specifically to the materials, techniques, or features used to create boundaries around garden beds (flower beds, vegetable plots, ornamental plantings), distinct from broader landscape contexts. Garden edging primarily:
- Contains soil, mulch, and plantings within defined bed areas
- Prevents grass, weeds, or turf from encroaching into garden beds
- Offers a visual frame for garden plantings
- Lets gardeners distinguish the âgarden zoneâ from surrounding lawn, paths, or rock/mulch zones
Unlike landscape edging, which may span lawns, driveways, paths, or large-scale delineation across an entire yard, garden edging is more localizedâfocused on bed boundaries. And unlike garden borders, which often carry a decorative or semi-formal planting purpose (for visual enclosure), garden edging is more about functional delineation and containment around the garden itself.
Related Terms: Garden Borders, Landscape Edging.
Historical Background
In earlier gardening traditions, edging in garden beds was often achieved using live plant borders such as boxwood, or simple hard boundaries like stone, wood, or earthenware to delineate flower beds from turf or walkways.
In 18th- and 19th-century design, treatises describe âedgings placed along the outer margins of planted areasâ using materials like stone, wood, iron, or live hedges to mark bed perimeters.
Historical gardens like Monticello used âbrick batsâ (flat pieces of brick) placed end to end to outline garden beds, showing early use of manufactured edging elements in garden design.
Over time, garden edging evolved from these traditional plant- or stone-based boundaries toward more modern materials (wood, metal, plastic) as manufacturing and garden design practices advanced.
FAQs
What is garden edging?
Garden edging is the method or material used to define, contain, and protect a garden bedâs border. It prevents soil, mulch, or plants from spilling outward and keeps lawn or turf from creeping inward.
Why would I install garden edging?
Youâd install garden edging to:
- Prevent grass and turf from invading garden beds
- Keep mulch or soil from washing out
- Make garden beds look tidy and intentional
- Reduce maintenance (cutting, weed control at edges)
- Create a visual frame around plantings
What materials are commonly used for garden edging?
Common options include wood (dimensional lumber, treated boards, cedar), stone/brick, metal strips, plastic edging, and composite materials. In this woodâedgingâfocused glossary, wood options are often preferred for aesthetic continuity and customization.
How high should garden edging be?
Edging should generally rise 4 to 6 inches above the soil/mulch surface to hold materials in place and resist mower interference. In beds with deeper mulch or slopes, you might go higher.
Is wood suitable for garden edging?
Yes â wood is a traditional and popular choice for garden edging. Rot-resistant or treated wood (like cedar or ground-contact rated lumber) is often used. Wood can be cut to custom lengths and offers a natural aesthetic. The trade-off is that it may require maintenance (sealing, inspection for rot) more than stone or metal.
References
Better Homes & Gardens on edging uses and benefits
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-basics/using-landscape-edging/
Heald / National Gallery of Art â Edging in Early American Landscape Design
https://heald.nga.gov/mediawiki/index.php/Edging
Arts & Crafts Homes on wood edging and historical techniques
https://artsandcraftshomes.com/exteriors/gardening-edging-maintenance-ornament