Are you looking for a way to add definition and distinction to your landscape? Whether sprucing up your front yard or adding curves, borders, and pathways throughout your backyard garden oasis, metal landscape edging is a great choice. With just one install job that needs little maintenance after that – metal edging can be an affordable and attractive way to enhance the look of any landscaped area.

Metal landscape edging offers a durable and long-lasting solution to define your landscape. The thin profile of metal edging allows for flexibility, making it easy to create curves and straight lines in any shape or design you desire. It also helps prevent the spread of weeds and grass into other areas, keeping your garden tidy and organized.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps needed on how to install metal landscape edging on your property!

What Will You Need?

Before starting the installation process, ensure you have all the necessary tools and materials. You’ll need:

• Measuring tape
• Marking paint or chalk
• Shovel
• Rubber mallet or hammer
• Landscape edging stakes
• Tin snips (for cutting metal)

Once you have everything ready, it’s time to get started!

10 Easy Steps on How to Install Metal Landscape Edging

Step 1: Plan Your Design

The first step to installing metal landscape edging is carefully planning your design. You need to decide where you want to place the edging, what shape it will take, and how it will fit with the rest of your landscaping.

Use your measuring tape to measure the area and the marking paint or chalk to outline your design on the ground. This step is essential to ensure you have enough edging material and it fits perfectly within your landscape. Remember, it’s always better to overestimate than underestimate.

Step 2: Prepare the Ground

After marking out your design, it’s time to prepare the ground for the edging installation. Start by using a shovel to dig a trench along your outline. The trench should be as deep as the height of your edging and slightly wider. This ensures that the edging will be flush with the ground level and fit snugly. While digging, make sure to remove any rocks, roots, or other obstructions that could interfere with the placement of the edging.

Step 3: Install the Edging

Once the trench is ready, you can start installing the metal edging. First, lay the metal edging strip into the trench, making sure it fits nicely. It’s essential to align the edging correctly according to your marked design. Once you’re satisfied with the placement, use a rubber mallet or hammer to gently tap the edging into the trench until it’s flush with the ground.

Be careful not to damage the edging while doing this. If your edging strip is not long enough, you can connect two or more strips using edging stakes. Remember to wear your safety gloves when handling the metal edging to avoid any potential cuts or injuries.

Step 4: Secure the Edging

After the edging is adequately positioned in the trench, it’s time to secure it. Slide your landscape edging stakes through the slots in your metal edging regularly. Ensure the top of each edging stake is level with the top of the edging strip. Using your rubber mallet or hammer, gently tap each stake until it’s firmly anchored in the ground. This will ensure that the edging stays in place, even under the strain of soil pressure or inclement weather.

Step 5: Check and Adjust

After the edging is secured in place, take a step back and examine the overall look. Ensure the edging is straight or follows the outlined curves and is flush with the ground level. Make minor adjustments by gently tapping the edging with a rubber mallet or hammer if needed.

If the edging is too high, you may need to remove it, dig the trench a little deeper, and reinstall it. This step is crucial to ensure that your metal landscape edging is installed correctly and looks professional.

Step 6: Backfill the Trench

Once you’re satisfied with the positioning of the metal landscape edging, the next step is to backfill the trench. Take the soil you removed while digging the trench and carefully place it back around the edging. Use a shovel to move the soil, ensuring it is evenly distributed along the length of the edging.

Tamp the soil down firmly using the back of the shovel or your foot to ensure the edging is secure and stable. Remember, the backfilled soil should be at most the edging to maintain the edging’s functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Step 7: Clean Up

After backfilling the trench, clean any excess soil off the metal edging. Use a soft brush or cloth to wipe down the edging, ensuring it’s free from dirt and debris. This step will give your landscape edging a clean, polished look, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Also, remove any leftover materials, tools, or debris from the installation area to keep your landscape neat. Remember, a clean landscape is a happy landscape!

Step 8: Final Inspection

Once the clean-up is done, conduct a final inspection of your work. Walk around the entire perimeter of the newly installed metal landscape edging and check for any inconsistencies or areas that may need further adjustments. Also, look at the overall design and aesthetic appeal of the edging about your landscape.

The final inspection is critical to ensuring your satisfaction with the project and the quality of your work. Remember, good landscaping elevates the beauty of your entire property!

Step 9: Ensure Proper Maintenance

After successfully installing your metal landscape edging, it’s essential to maintain it properly to maximize its lifespan and keep it looking its best. Regularly check for any signs of rust or damage, and repair or replace sections as necessary.

Keep the edging clean by lightly scrubbing it with a soft brush and rinsing it with water. Avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage the metal finish. Also, trim grass and plants near the edging to prevent them from overgrowing and obscuring it. Proper maintenance will ensure your landscape edging continues to enhance the beauty of your garden for many years.

Step 10: Enjoy Your Landscape

With the installation and maintenance plan in place, it’s time to enjoy your landscape. The addition of metal edging not only adds a neat border separating different parts of your garden but also enhances your property’s overall aesthetic appeal.

Sit back, marvel at your handy work, and enjoy the personal satisfaction of a job well done. Moreover, remember to take pride in the fact that your well-installed and maintained landscape edging can increase the value of your property and its appeal to potential buyers or visitors.

By following these steps on how to install metal landscape edging, you can achieve a professional-looking and functional landscape design that will make your garden the envy of the neighborhood.

5 Additional Tips and Tricks

1. Choose the Right Edging: Different types of metal edging are available, each offering its unique aesthetic and functionality. Some options include aluminum, steel, and iron edging. Consider the style of your garden, climate, and budget when choosing the right type of metal edging.
2. Use a String Line: A string line can ensure straight lines or smooth curves when installing the edging. This will result in a more professional-looking and consistent installation.
3. Consider Underlayment: If your soil is prone to erosion or you want extra stability for your edging, consider adding an underlayment of landscape fabric or plastic before backfilling. This will help prevent weeds from growing and provide additional support for the edging.
4. Add Lighting: Metal edging can also serve as an excellent base for outdoor lighting. Consider installing solar lights or low-voltage landscape lighting along the edging to add ambiance and functionality to your garden.
5. Consult a Professional: If you’re unsure about any aspect of the installation process or have a larger landscaping project, don’t hesitate to consult a professional landscaper. They’ll be able to provide expert advice and assistance to ensure your metal landscape edging is installed correctly and efficiently.

Remember, properly installing metal landscape edging is critical to achieving a beautiful and functional garden design.

Conclusion

Installing metal landscape edging is an easy and cost-effective way of upgrading the appearance of your outdoor space. You can easily make your backyard look like it belongs in a magazine spread with a little effort.

After considering things such as the length and width of the project, purchasing the supplies you’ll need, digging along the intended path for the edging, and then laying and securing it in place, you can successfully create something that looks beautiful and adds value to your home.

Hopefully, the article on how to install metal landscape edging has given you all the necessary information and inspiration to get started on your project. Remember, by following these steps and additional tips, you can achieve a professional-looking result that will elevate the beauty of your garden for years to come.

Take your time tackling this DIY task; with some planning and patience, you have all the tools necessary to produce impressive results. So what are you waiting for? Get out there now and start transforming your outdoor area today!