The best steel edging infrequently asked questions

21 January 2024

If you are a garden designer or landscaper, or even if you are simply passionate about your outdoor space, you will appreciate how the nuances of different materials and their applications in a garden can lead to a variety of inquiries and questions. To celebrate the New Year, we’re delving into some of the less common questions to have hit EverEdge NZ’s inbox in 2023.

Is Corten garden edging suitable for a coastal garden

If you live on the coast, you will be aware of how humidity, salt and wind impact your home and garden and accelerates degradation. Corten steel edging is renowned for its weather-resistant properties, making it an ideal choice for coastal gardens in NZ. Its ability to withstand the salty air and retain its structural integrity makes it a go-to option for garden bed edging in these environments. Not only does it resist corrosion, but its rustic appearance adds a stylish touch to seaside gardens.

Do metal tree ring edging products limit tree growth?

It depends how you use it! As trees mature the ground underneath gets shady and consequently bare. Some people install a tree ring to create a flowerbed border for planting shrubs under the canopy, this is a one-way ticket to damaging your tree. If you love your tree, don’t plant anything underneath it.

Tree roots are surprisingly close to the surface, so digging, planting and filling the ring with soil in this area risks upsetting the oxygen exchange that the tree needs to be healthy. Metal tree edging provides a protective border around your trees enabling essential water and nutrients to reach the roots, so they flourish without restriction. If you want to cover the bare ground, mulch is the solution. Remember to keep the base of the tree exposed (applied like a doughnut) to allow the tree to breathe and avoid bark rot. Mulch should be no more than 3-4 inches thick, or 2 inches if the soil drains poorly (e.g. clay heavy soil).

a lush green lawn with purple flowers in the foreground and a fence in the background .

Can metal landscape edging be installed on winding paths?

A common misconception is that landscape edging can only be applied in straight lines. Whether you have a conventional rectangular garden design or a whimsically shaped landscape design, metal landscape edging can be tailored to fit. Garden edging NZ products, especially steel edging, are incredibly versatile so, whether your garden curves left or right, or even zigzags, steel edging is the solution for your garden design.

Steel garden ornaments rust away, does this happen to steel garden edging?

Steel garden ornaments are typically made from a thin gauge mild steel because it’s easy to cut and create intricate details. This type of steel left untreated is not designed to be outside and exposed to the elements, so as it begins to rust, its degradation can be quick. This is why EverEdge Classic metal edging is galvanised and powder coated. Galvanisation increases the mild steel’s surface strength by an additional 13%, so the product becomes incredibly strong and durable while protecting the steel from oxidisation (rust).

Alternatively, Cor-Ten steel landscape edging is designed to gain strength from being exposed to the atmosphere. Both the Classic and Cor-Ten ranges remain incredibly strong, resilient and durable for many years. You can learn more by clicking here.

EverEdge NZ remains steadfast in our commitment to stylish outdoor garden spaces. We have a helpful FAQ page here to answer common questions, but if you have any queries or questions about how metal landscape edging can be used in your project, 021 925 389 or email simon@everedgenz.co.nz.

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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.