In Nevada, we have to get creative with our lawns. That’s why there’s been such a boom in xeriscaping, using stones and other material that require no irrigation in the area. Another way to get creative with your lawn is with lawn edging.
If you’re not familiar, lawn edging–or border edging, as it’s sometimes called–is exactly what it sounds like–the line that runs along the edge of your yard and designates the space. Edging is used for aesthetic purposes to make your lawn look sharp and clean, but it also has practical uses. Edging can help prevent the spread of grass and weeds into your garden or flower bed. You also won’t need to use an edge trimmer when cutting the lawn if the garden vs. lawn has already been separated. And after all, if the yard itself is immaculate, it will look messy if the edges aren’t neat. Some yards don’t have edging, but we think that’s a missed opportunity to add that final touch, like the period at the end of a sentence. Think outside the box and do something creative that shows off a little personality.
Once you open up your mind to the fact that you can add a cool border to your yard, the options are legit limitless when it comes to lawn edging! A simple search for lawn edging materials shows you a list including stone, wood, metal, plastic, concrete, and brick, so you really can’t go wrong.
Consider your lawn’s width when choosing to edge, and make sure your edging size is proportionate. For example, you won’t place large boulders around the edge of a small front yard in the city! Many play it safe and opt for the basic (and ultimately, most inexpensive) cinder block to edge their lawns. Zzzzz! We encourage you to think outside the cinderblock. Live life on the edge with these 5 unique, creative lawn edging ideas.
Get creative with masonry. Bricks and stones will be super sturdy and withstand the test of time, and you could do a simple, straight line of stones, boulders, or paved tiles. But what if you raised it? Create a long raised shape out of mesh or chicken wire and fill it with small stones. Conversely, you could use one long smooth brick that winds around the edges of your lawn to create a smooth, slick look. Stack the stones 2- or 3-deep to raise your masonry edges. Turn bricks 90 degrees and bury them halfway to create a cool zig-zag look with minimal effort. Repurpose patio brick, or use often-overlooked masonry such as terra cotta to stand out from the rest of the block. If you have stone features or gravel in your lawn, make sure they are complemented by whatever stone you choose for the edging.
Edging is an excellent opportunity to repurpose materials in an offbeat way. For a funky look, line the edges of your lawn or garden with glass bottles. Take the labels off and clean them, of course. The more colors, the better: it’s like stained glass for your lawn. If the rest of your yard or garden is a little on the neutral side, this is a great way to inject much-needed color. There are different ways to use bottles. Line them up in a single line upside down or stack them sideways for a raised glass bed. Look around the house; do you have anything in a large quantity that’s just taking up space? Imagine it lined up clean and consider using it to edge your lawn. A line of plates (yes, plates from the kitchen) half-submerged could make a beautiful scalloped lawn edge. Have a bit of a nautical theme going on? Edge the space with seashells: no, really. Make sure they’re large and placed well enough (edge to edge) enough to look intentional. Railroad ties are perfect for edging. Stagger them like the bricks of a house, and it seems industrial yet clean. If you’re a crafter, paint PVC pipes and line them up for lawn edging that looks like post-modern bamboo shoots.
Dig a trench and open yourself up to many edging opportunities. Once you have a distinct trench, you can fill it with pretty much anything aesthetically pleasing. Try river stones for a quaint, delicate feel. Heck, leave the trench empty, except for some interestingly-colored soil or mulch to provide a contrast against the lawn.
If you have kids or just like to paint yourself, go ahead and create designs and doodles on a brick or wood edging. That’s one way to ensure that nobody in the world will have the same lawn edging as you!
Whatever you go with, have fun with it, and don’t close yourself off to potential opportunities by writing off a material before trying it. If you don’t like it, it’s a fairly easy removal, and you can just replace it. With risk comes reward.