Short answer
The most useful landscape edging ideas are a thin steel ribbon for modern beds, a soldier course of brick for classic gardens, a flush brick or concrete mow strip to end trimming, stacked stone or river rock for natural beds, and Corten for raised gravel beds. The cheapest ideas are a spade-cut trench edge (free), reclaimed brick and plastic coil. Pick by job first: edges that stop grass must be buried.
14 landscape edging ideas
1. Thin steel ribbon
A black or brown steel strip, buried with only about 1/2 to 1 inch showing, almost disappears and leaves a clean line between lawn and bed. It holds sweeping curves and lasts; University of Illinois Extension calls steel the longest-lasting edging. Best for modern and minimal gardens. Details in metal landscape edging.
2. Soldier course of brick
Bricks stood on end, side by side, make a classic border with a strong rhythm. Set them on a sand base in a trench so they stay level; Illinois Extension recommends a sand or concrete base and well-fired brick. Tilt them at an angle for a sawtooth look. See brick landscape edging.
3. Flush mow strip
Lay bricks, pavers or flat stones level with the lawn along the bed. One mower wheel rides on the strip, so you mow right to the edge and skip most trimming. It is the most practical idea on this list for a busy lawn. See lawn edging.
4. Scalloped concrete edgers
The curved-top concrete edgers sold at garden centers give a traditional, cottage look and are quick to lay. On their own they do not stop grass well, so set them in a trench on sand and keep a cut edge on the lawn side. Browse scalloped edging. Concrete options are in concrete curb edging.
5. Poured concrete curb
A continuous curb, poured in place by a curbing machine, makes a permanent mow strip that can be colored or stamped. Lawn Love puts poured curbing at about $3 to $8 per foot. It is a pro job and hard to change later. See concrete curb edging.
6. Stacked stone
Flat stones stacked a course or two high make a low, natural wall around a bed and can raise the soil a few inches. Illinois Extension suggests stone about 3 inches thick and at least 4 inches wide. Keep it low; anything taller is a retaining wall. See stone landscape edging.
7. River rock band
A band of river rock between lawn and bed gives a dry-creek look and a place for rain to soak in. Hold the rock with a buried metal or plastic edge on both sides, with landscape fabric under it, or it will spread into the lawn. See edging for gravel and mulch.
8. Corten raised edge
Weathering steel, set a few inches proud of the ground, makes a slim raised bed edge with a warm rust color that suits grasses and gravel. Its early rust runoff can stain pale paving for roughly 3 to 9 months, per Straightcurve via ArchiPro (supplier guidance), so keep it back from light concrete. See Corten steel edging.
9. Log rolls and timber
Short log rolls bend around curves and give a woodland, rustic edge; straight timbers or treated boards suit square beds and veg gardens. Wood rots in constantly damp soil, and Illinois Extension warns against old creosote railroad ties. See wood landscape edging.
10. Living edge
Low hedges, edging plants and dense groundcovers make a soft, green border along beds and paths. They do not stop lawn grass, so pair them with a cut or buried edge on the lawn side and keep them clipped back from the mower line.
11. Spade-cut trench edge
The classic English border edge: a clean V cut between lawn and bed, about 4 inches deep and 4 inches wide (Illinois Extension), with the shadow of the trench as the line. Free, natural looking, and re-cut once or twice a year. How to cut it is in lawn edging.
12. Reclaimed brick
Old bricks from a demolished wall, a neighbor or a salvage yard give an aged look for little money. Use well-fired bricks, as Illinois Extension advises, and set them on sand. Mixed colors look intentional when laid in a steady pattern.
13. White edging
White stone, white-painted brick or white plastic edging stands out against dark mulch and green lawn, and suits cottage and coastal styles. It shows dirt and mower scuffs more than dark edging, so expect to clean it. Browse white edging.
14. Rubber mulch-look border
Rubber borders shaped to look like mulch, brick or stone lay on the surface with spikes and bend easily. They are low effort, but look less natural up close. See rubber landscape edging.
Cheap garden edging ideas
If budget is the main limit, these cost the least. Material prices are from LawnStarter unless noted.
| Idea | Rough material cost | Catch |
|---|---|---|
| Spade-cut trench edge | Free | Re-cut once or twice a year |
| Stones or bricks you already have | Free | Needs a sand base to stay level |
| Plastic coil edging | $1 to $3.50 per ft | Can heave in frost; stake it well |
| No-dig edging | Plastic range | Does not stop grass roots |
| Rubber border | $1.50 to $4 per ft | Less natural look |
| Concrete pavers as a mow strip | About $1.50 per ft (Hunker) | Set level on sand |
More cost detail, including labor, is in landscape edging cost.
Picking the right idea
- Grass is the problem: pick an idea with a buried edge (1, 3, 5, 11) or add a cut edge behind the decorative one.
- Mulch or gravel keeps spilling: pick a rigid edge that stands above the fill (1, 2, 6, 8).
- You want less trimming: a flush mow strip (3 or 5).
- You want it natural: stone, timber, a living edge or a spade cut (6, 9, 10, 11).
Compare the materials behind these ideas in materials compared, or use the edging picker. For bed-specific ideas, see flower bed edging; for paths, garden path edging.
Install steps for every idea are in how to install landscape edging.
Questions people ask
What is the cheapest way to edge a garden?
A spade-cut trench edge costs nothing but time: University of Illinois Extension describes a cut about 4 inches deep and 4 inches wide, re-cut once or twice a year. After that, reclaimed brick or stone, stones from your own yard, and plastic coil edging are the low-cost options.
What edging looks best with a modern garden?
A thin steel or aluminum strip, black powder-coated or weathering (Corten) steel, or a crisp poured concrete band. Keep curves smooth or use straight lines, and keep the edge low.
Do scalloped concrete edgers stop grass?
Not well on their own. They sit at or near the surface and grass can grow between and under them. Set them on a sand base in a trench, and pair them with a spade-cut edge or buried strip on the lawn side if grass is a problem.
Can plants be used as edging?
Yes. Low hedges and dense, low-growing perennials make a living edge along beds and paths. They soften the line but do not stop lawn grass, so many gardeners combine them with a cut or buried edge on the lawn side.
What edging works for a gravel bed?
A rigid edge that stands at or above the gravel: steel, aluminum, Corten, timber, or brick on end. Light plastic can bulge under heavy stone.
Sources
- University of Illinois Extension, Bed edges (Rhonda Ferree, 2015)
- Lawn Love, How much does landscape curbing cost? (updated October 2026)
- ArchiPro, Common questions about weathering steel (Corten) garden edging (Straightcurve)
- LawnStarter, How much does landscape edging cost? (updated December 27, 2025)
- Hunker, The best types of landscape edging
- Call 811, Know what is below (national call-before-you-dig line)
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Products, sizes and listings change; check the product details before you buy, call 811 before you dig, and follow the maker’s instructions.