Updated on Jun. 06, 2025
Garden beds can be fun to plant and tend, but as soon as unwanted plants invade, the battle begins. Your best defense? Garden bed edging.
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You’ve planned, purchased plants (or started them from seeds), watered and babied your garden beds and now they’re starting to flourish. But what’s this? Rogue blades of grass and other lawn weeds are popping up in your garden and these uninvited plants are taking over! What you need to block those invaders is garden bed edging!
When you create a distinct border around your garden beds, you discourage lawn grass and creeping weeds from encroaching on your garden. Certain grass species spread by producing tillers (a new stem with more leaf blades that form off to the side of the main plant), rhizomes (underground runners) or stolons (above ground runners). Also, invasive broadleaf weeds, such as creeping Charlie, aggressively spread (even from one yard to the next!) and can take over a garden bed in no time. It’s time to fight back.
Linda Vater, a garden design expert on behalf of Southern Living® Plant Collection, says garden borders can also provide structure and shape to garden beds. “Garden borders can delineate the landscape into outdoor “rooms” with distinct purposes, designs, and plant palettes,” Vader says.
You can install garden bed edging any time, but it’s best to do it when the garden isn’t in full bloom—you’ll damage the plants along the edges. Early spring or later in fall is a great time for this DIY project. There are lots of ways to edge a garden bed. These are our favorites:
Metal garden edging provides a subtle separation between your lawn and garden. We recommend aluminum instead of steel because aluminum is lighter, stiffer and it won’t rust.
Concrete and brick pavers are very effective against grass creep. They are available in a wide range of colors and, when installed properly, will last a long time.
Creating a raised bed border, which in essence is just a very short wall, around a garden bed adds depth and texture while warding off unwanted plants.
Photo: Courtesy of Sustainable Supply
Plastic edging can be extremely unattractive if it’s not installed properly or if it gets damaged and is not replaced. However, if you install this border correctly and maintain it, it functions well and is less expensive than other options.
Another alternative is a natural edge that we call trench edging with mulch borders. This method is the least noticeable way to keep pesky weeds and grass out of your garden beds.
You can also opt for a natural border using other living plants like boxwood, Vater says. “This low-maintenance landscape classic earns its widespread appeal as a garden border plant for good reason: it’s evergreen, attractive, and available in a range of sizes and growth habits,” she says. Rosemary and Japanese holly are also good options to plant around your garden and double as easy garden borders.
Now, choose your favorite garden edge option and defeat unwanted grass and weeds.
The easiest type of edging to install is “no-dig” or “stake-in” types of edging, usually made of plastic, rubber or metal. These types typically use spikes or stakes for anchoring.
The best type of edging for your garden depends on several factors, including your budget and specific needs. You should choose materials that are appropriate for the climate you live in. Plastic and rubber tend to be more affordable options but metal and concrete last longer.
Linda Vater is a garden design expert on behalf of Southern Living® Plant Collection.
