From messy to manicured: how to use edging to transform your garden

28 April 2025

Creating definition between a lawn and garden beds is one of those seemingly small details that makes an enormous difference to the overall aesthetic of an outdoor space. A well-defined edge transforms a garden from casual to sophisticated, providing clean lines that elevate planting schemes while making maintenance significantly easier.

Why garden edges matter

Garden edges create visual boundaries that guide the eye and bring structure to your landscape. Beyond aesthetics, quality garden edging prevents grass from encroaching into beds, keeps mulch and soil in place, and simplifies mowing. Without proper landscape edging, gardens can quickly develop that dreaded unruly and unkempt look that requires constant attention.

Material matters: the case for steel

There are many edging options, from traditional brick to temporary plastic, but steel landscape edging stands in a class of its own for durability and clean definition. Unlike wooden edges that rot or concrete that cracks, metal landscape edging provides a permanent solution that ages beautifully.

EverEdge steel garden edging offers the perfect combination of flexibility and strength. Whether you're creating straight formal lines or gentle curves, steel edging maintains its shape year after year, withstanding seasonal shifts and gardening activities. For contemporary gardens, Corten steel edging brings an added dimension with its rich, rust-coloured patina that develops naturally over time.

A lush green lawn surrounded by trees and bushes on a sunny day.

Installation considerations: soil placement

When installing your garden edging, you'll need to decide whether soil should bank in front of or behind your edging. This decision affects both appearance and functionality:

Soil behind the edging: think of edging that looks like it is containing flower beds. This approach creates a clean, defined edge with the metal fully visible. It's ideal for formal gardens and modern landscapes where the edging itself becomes a design feature. Think of the edging containing flower beds.

Soil banked against the edging: this is primarily when garden edging is used to define a lawn, so the grass meets the top of your edging, and you create a more subtle transition. The edging remains mostly hidden but still performs its crucial function of soil retention. This method works particularly well where you want structural support without visual interruption.

Beyond a basic garden edge

Modern garden edging products offer solutions for every landscape challenge. EverEdge's steel edging range offers diverse functionality:

· Raised beds with integrated edging.

· Gentle slopes requiring stepped edging.

· Metal tree ring edging that keeps mulch contained while allowing water penetration.

· Path edging that separates gravel from lawn.

· Garden edging to define a driveway.

· Improves garden drainage.

The garden edging investment that pays dividends

While temporary edging solutions might seem economical, they require frequent replacement and adjustment. Professional-grade steel landscape edging from EverEdge represents a one-time investment that continues delivering value long after installation.

Garden edging products from NZ-trusted suppliers like EverEdge eliminate the frustration of constantly redefining borders. Instead of spending each spring re-cutting edges or replacing failed materials, you can focus on the enjoyable aspects of gardening – planting and nurturing flowers and plants, and enjoying your outdoor space.

For garden enthusiasts seeking that perfect balance between natural beauty and refined structure, quality metal landscape edging provides the framework upon which great gardens are built. When spring reveals your garden edges still perfectly in place, you'll understand why professional gardeners consistently choose steel edging as their border material of choice. If you have a project in mind and would like advice on how to best use EverEdge steel garden edging, call on 021 925 389 or email simon@everedgenz.co.nz .

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Explore EverEdge

Why EverEdge? →

See our products →

Shop Now

WHY EVEREDGE?

SHOP NOW

A red lawn mower is cutting grass on a gravel road

Winter lawn care: preparing your lawn and edges for a strong spring comeback

30 July 2025

Winter might give you a break from summer’s relentless mowing schedule, but it’s no time to forget about your lawn. While grass growth noticeably slows in the cooler temperatures, your lawn still needs some attention through the colder months. With just a little care now, you’ll be rewarded with a healthier, more resilient lawn that requires less maintenance and attention come spring – and at the heart of a healthy lawn is EverEdge garden edging . Mow smart Whereas growth warm-season varieties of grasses like kikuyu, couch, and buffalo slow, cool-season grasses such as perennial rye, fescue, and Kentucky blue grass remain active through winter and benefit from regular mowing. Every 3–4 weeks should do the trick, depending on growth. Keep the mower height up a little higher than you usually would set it to allows for a thicker leaf area to absorb more light and helps the lawn stay robust. Mow on a dry day and use a catcher to reduce fungal issues. Sharpen mower blades and clean them between cuts to prevent disease spread - healthy grass starts with clean tools. Light and airflow matter Low winter sun and a change to trees can put your lawn under stress. Your lawn needs light to be able to photosynthesise so where necessary, prune overhanging branches to allow more light through to vulnerable areas of lawn. Regularly raking leaves prevents the blanket of tree debris smothering the lawn and helps reduce the risk of disease. Moss and fungal issues thrive in damp, low-light conditions, so improving air and light circulation is key. Feed roots, not leaves Feeding your lawn in winter isn’t essential, but it can be beneficial - particularly in warmer regions or for cool-season grasses. But it’s important to choose a formula that supports root development and soil biology – this helps to improve resistance to stress and fungal issues.