Natural edging vs. steel garden edging: the pros and cons

13 December 2024

Garden edging is more than just a finishing touch - it’s a functional element that keeps grasses and weeds in check and creates definition in a garden landscape design. Whether you're drawn to a natural approach like the "Victorian trench" or a long term solution such as EverEdge steel garden edging, understanding the pros and cons of each option will help you make the right choice for your garden and lifestyle.

What is natural edging

Not be confused with naturescaping, natural edging, like the Victorian trench method, involves creating a clean separation between lawn and garden beds with a V-shaped trench. This approach is highly customisable and suits gardens with a softer, more organic aesthetic.

How to do a natural edge

Using a flat-edged shovel, dig straight down 3 inches along the outer edge of the lawn. Make another slice at a 45-degree angle in the direction of the border or flower bed. So the trench that’s straight downward on the lawn side and angled up to the border.

Pros of trench edging:

1. Cost-effective: natural edging requires no additional materials, making it a budget-friendly option.

2. Aesthetic appeal: the soft, flowing lines of a trench look cohesive with naturalistic garden designs.

3. Ease of maintenance for mowing: lawn mowers can run along the trench edge, eliminating the need for additional trimming.

Cons of trench edging:

1. Labour-intensive installation: digging the trench, especially if your garden is big or has large borders, is hard work. You also need to manually clear the exposed soil of weeds and grasses.

2. Frequent maintenance: grass and weeds can quickly migrate into the trench, and it may need re-digging following heavy rain.

3. Limited durability: soil erosion or plant overgrowth will reduce the trench’s effectiveness over time meaning regular touch-ups are essential.

A lush green lawn with purple flowers in the foreground and a metal edging in the background.

Steel garden edging

Garden edging, such as EverEdge’s steel landscape edging products, provides a sleek, contemporary way to define your landscape. Whether you choose Corten steel edging for its rustic patina or our Classic edging for a clean finish, this method delivers durability and style.

Pros of steel garden edging:

1. Easy installation: click here to download the installation guide and watch the video of how to install EverEdge garden edging.

2. Long-lasting: steel landscape edging is built to withstand the New Zealand climate and strong enough to not be impacted by wear and tear (including lawn mowers and heavy weight). It will last decades with minimal upkeep.

3. Precise lines: metal edging creates sharp, clean borders that suit contemporary and formal garden designs.

4. Versatility: the steel edging is easy to manipulate to accommodate any curves in the lawn or beds. The steel is adaptable to various landscaping needs, from defining garden beds to installing metal tree ring edging.

5. Low maintenance: once installed, steel edging minimises grass and weed migration by forming a physical barrier between the different areas of your garden. There is no necessity for annual trenching or repairs.

Cons of steel garden edging:

Higher initial cost: compared to natural edging, steel edging requires an upfront investment. However, its durability and no-maintenance offsets this over time.

Professional installation: if it’s an intricate layout or uneven terrain you want to use the steel edging for, you may need help with installation. However, we’re always on hand to offer advice and guidance for your steel garden edging project. Call 021 925 389 or email simon@everedgenz.co.nz if you have any questions.

Ready to upgrade your garden?

EverEdge offers a range of garden edging products NZ gardeners rely on to elevate their landscapes. Whether you need edging for paths, beds, or trees, our metal landscape edging solutions bring durability and style to your outdoor space – with no time commitment required to maintain. Beautiful, low-maintenance garden borders for years to come. If you have any queries about our products, please contact EverEdge NZ directly by calling 021 925 389 or by clicking here.

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Man installing edging along a lawn path in a garden.

The gardener’s guide to avoid garden edging mistakes

by Simon Mullinger • 25 August 2025

A well-designed garden isn’t just about the plants you choose; it’s the finishing touches that make all the difference. Garden edging frames your beds, pathways, and lawns, creating a clean, structured look while keeping soil, mulch, and grass exactly where they should be. But despite its time-saving capabilities, small mistakes during planning or installation can leave you with an untidy or high-maintenance garden – exactly what you didn’t sign up for. As a supplier of the best high-quality steel landscape edging products in New Zealand , EverEdge has heard it all – from shallow installs that allow grass to creep back in, to cracked or warped materials that ruin a carefully designed border. To help you get it right the first time, here are the top three garden edging mistakes and how you can avoid them. 1. Choosing the wrong edging material One of the most common mistakes is selecting edging that doesn’t stand the test of time. Plastic and timber edging might look appealing initially, but they deteriorate quickly over time, accelerated by harsh weather. Plastic warps under the sun, while timber is prone to rotting and shifting. Both often require replacement within just a few seasons. Even if you opt for the more expensive concrete garden edging it is vulnerable to ground movement and freeze-thaw cycles. By contrast, metal landscape edging, particularly steel garden edging, offers durability, flexibility, and a clean aesthetic. It can be shaped into sweeping curves or sharp angles without cracking, and it resists corrosion for decades. EverEdge products are designed for professional results and are trusted by landscapers across New Zealand for everything from garden bed edging and metal tree ring edging to driveway edging. Choosing a long-lasting material from the outset saves you time, money, and endless frustration down the line. 2. Installing at the wrong depth Even the best edging material won’t perform if it’s not installed correctly . A frequent error is laying edging too shallow. This allows mulch and soil to spill over and gives grass and weeds the perfect opportunity to creep back into your beds. Too deep, on the other hand, and the edging becomes buried, disappearing from sight and failing to give that crisp separation between lawn and border.