15 easy garden edging ideas you can do yourself

From plastic stakes that look just like stone to metal strips and concrete blocks, the best garden edging separates weeds and grass from your plants, all while adding an attractive design to your landscape. Whether you're hoping to hire professional landscapers or do it yourself, choosing the right material for your garden edging is crucial for getting the right look and ensuring your landscaping project falls within your budget.

To find out what to look for in garden edging, we spoke to gardening pro Michael Clarke, who holds a degree in landscape architecture and horticulture from the University of California at Davis and worked for 15 years as a master gardener before founding Yardwork, an online plant nursery serving California. Whether you're looking to contain a raised garden bed or create sleek borders among your landscaping, we rounded up high-end options made of masonry and budget-friendly picks made of sturdy plastic.

Plastic garden edging

A garden bed of wildflowers is lined with fake stone edging made of tan plastic.

While plastic is certainly not as durable as concrete, brick, or metal, it's nearly effortless to install when compared to other edging materials. It also provides a discreet edge for traditional garden landscapes, says Clarke.

Additionally, plastic is one of the most affordable edging options, making it a good choice for temporary gardens. If you're new to gardening and don't quite know if your current layout is "the one," using plastic edging may be the way to go.

Worth a look:

Metal garden edging

Metal paving separated a garden and a path.

"Metal edging is best for providing a more discreet edge in modern landscapes," says Clarke. He adds that it's also highly durable but tends to be pricey compared to options like plastic.

An advantage of metal edging is that it typically requires no digging and is less time-consuming to install. Simply hammer the built-in stakes into the ground, and you're done. Just make sure to wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp, rough metal.

Worth a look:

Rubber garden edging

A bed of hostas and colorful flowers is bordered by curving brown rubber landscaping edging.

"Rubber edging can be used next to driveways, sidewalks, planting beds, or around trees and is a good option when you want to include recycled materials," says Clarke. "It is strong and durable and relatively inexpensive and easy to install."

While it's not the most aesthetic of options, its combination of durability, affordable price tag, and versatility make it a value pick.

Worth a look:

Wood garden edging

Dark brown wooden landscape edging separates a long gray cement sidewalk from a bed of shrubs, grasses, and colorful flowers.

"Wood edging can be used to contain raised planter beds and is easy to install in a straight line, circle, or curve. It can be painted or stained and can be used to create a natural transition between grass or hardscape and planters," says Clarke.

However, because wood edging is vulnerable to things like pests, fungi, and rot, picking the right wood is key. Clarke recommends pressure-treated wood or cedar for a long-lasting border that holds up to the elements.

Worth a look:

Concrete and brick garden edging

Small red and white flowers are bordered by rectangular tan stone landscape edging.

Brick and concrete are two exceptionally durable options that will last forever and require little maintenance. "[Concrete and brick] edging is best used when you need to contain larger planters and you want a stronger structured edge that is more decorative and visible," says Clarke.

Creative gardeners can also create eye-catching patterns with masonry and stoneware. Both are also available in various colors and finishes. Clarke adds that installing even simple brick and concrete edging requires more planning than hammer-in options. Both are relatively pricey and labor-intensive to install, and many options are only available by the pallet.