How long will steel edging last?
How long will metal edging last? Lifespan varies by material: aluminum lasts 25-50+ years, weathering steel 20-50+ years, galvanized steel 20-30 years, and stainless steel 40-50+ years. Material thickness and installation quality significantly impact longevity. Steel’s ability to withstand the elements without significant deterioration makes it the superior choice for long-term garden edging. Where timber might last a few years, steel can endure for decades.
How far should metal edging be from the ground?
Most metal edging is going to be deep enough to be installed 4-6 inches into the ground and still have a few inches above ground (with the exception of our edge right metal landscape edging that is 8 inches in depth—double that of most common metal edging). I recommend going for 5 inches so that you can bury the edging deep enough to keep out grass from your lawn but still have enough metal aboveground to contain soil, gravel, or mulch in the garden space. Check the gauge of the steel.
How hard is it to install metal edging?
One of the simplest methods to install metal landscape edging is the hammer-in technique. Start by outlining the desired area with a garden hose or rope to create a guide. Then, using a rubber mallet or hammer, pound the metal edging into the ground along the marked line. The most inexpensive type of garden edging is the one you do yourself. Here, a shovel has created a small trench in the dirt as a sharp edge between the garden and the yard. It’s easy to install but does require regular maintenance.
What to use instead of edging?
Just take a flat-edged shovel and dig straight down 3 inches along the outer edge of the lawn. Then dig a second slice that’s at a 45-degree in the direction of the border or bed. So you’ll end up with a trench that’s straight downward on the lawn side and angled up to the border. A lawn edger or stick edger works by rotating a steel blade into the ground to define a crisp, clean line around hardscaping, landscape beds, and trees.