Save Man, nothing frustrates me more than seeing a nice garden bed ruined by mulch tumbling onto the grass or grass invading the mulch. I’ve fixed hundreds of those messes over my 15 years landscaping, and let me tell you, how to install metal edging for landscaping is the fix that sticks. It gives you those perfect, clean lines without the constant upkeep. Stick with me here, and I’ll share the exact steps I use on jobs, plus the pitfalls I’ve learned to dodge. Your yard will look like a pro did it, and you’ll save a bundle doing it yourself. Table of Contents Toggle Quick Scoop on Metal Edging and Why Everyone’s Switching to ItThe Different Kinds of Metal Edging I Swear ByGear Up: Tools and Stuff You Can’t SkipThe No-BS Step-by-Step: How to Install Metal Edging for LandscapingNailing the Depth: How Deep Should Metal Edging Be Installed?Tricks for Bends, Turns, and HillsScrew-Ups I’ve Made (So You Don’t)Keeping It Looking Good Year After YearMetal Edging vs Plastic or Concrete: Why Metal Wins My VoteFAQs from Homeowners I Hear All the TimeFinal Thoughts: Get Out There and Edge It Quick Scoop on Metal Edging and Why Everyone’s Switching to It Metal edging is just long strips of metal—think steel or aluminum—that you sink into the ground along your beds, paths, or wherever you want a boundary. It keeps soil, rocks, and plants in their lanes. Folks go nuts for it because it’s built to last. I’ve mowed over it, driven on it, and it still holds up after a decade. No rotting like wood, no crumbling like plastic. It’s got that modern vibe too, perfect for landscape edging ideas that wow the neighbors. Seriously, after one install, people always stop and ask, “Who did your yard?” The Different Kinds of Metal Edging I Swear By I’ve tried them all, and it depends on the job. Here’s what works best: Steel edging for landscaping: Bulletproof for busy spots like driveways. Gets a galvanized coating to fight rust. I use it for straight, heavy-duty lines. Aluminum landscape edging: Super light, won’t rust, bends easy for curves. Great for homeowners—less hammering needed. Corten: Ages to this cool rusty look that fits right in with plants. Low maintenance, but pricier. Got a patio from 12 years back still perfect. Stainless if you’re near the ocean—nothing touches it. For most yards, grab aluminum landscape edging or decent steel. Avoid the super-cheap stuff from big box stores; it kinks up quick. Save Gear Up: Tools and Stuff You Can’t Skip Don’t start without these. I’ve been stranded mid-job too many times. What to buy: Edging strips (20-40 ft rolls are easiest) Stakes and connectors (galvanized, 8-12 inches) Spikes for extra hold Landscape fabric if weeds bug you Tools in my truck: Half-moon edger or shovel Mallet (rubber for finesse) Tin snips or saw Tape measure, string, level Gloves—trust me on this Rent an edger for big jobs; it flies through sod. Whole setup for 100 feet? Maybe $150-200. The No-BS Step-by-Step: How to Install Metal Edging for Landscaping Let’s do this. I’ve taught apprentices this way—takes 4-6 hours for newbies on 50 feet. Outline it: Spray paint or string your line. Walk it out, adjust till it feels right. Trench time: Slice the sod 4-6 inches wide, dig to depth. Make it a slight V for bite. Clean house: Pull weeds, rocks. Fabric down if you want zero sprouts. Drop in the edging: Unroll, butt ends with 2-inch overlap, connect ’em. Stake it down: Pound stakes every few feet through the holes. Check level often. Fill ‘er up: Soil both sides, stomp it solid. Clean finish: Snip extras, test with mower. Boom—DIY landscape edging done right. Save how to install metal edging for landscaping Nailing the Depth: How Deep Should Metal Edging Be Installed? Aim for 6 inches total: 4 below, 2 above. Beds? 5 inches. Driveways? 8-10. How deep should metal edging be installed on hills? 8 inches min, tilted with the slope. Freezing ground? Deeper to beat frost heave. Learned this after a winter redo. Tricks for Bends, Turns, and Hills Yards aren’t straight lines. Curves: Snip the back, bend slow. Aluminum’s your friend. Corners: Cut 45s or fold sharp. Extra stake. Slopes: Start low, layer soil as you go. Rushed a curve once—looked like a drunk snake. Patience pays. Screw-Ups I’ve Made (So You Don’t) No level = wavy disaster. Weak stakes bend. Hot sun? Metal expands—leave play. Mower hits = bent tops. Gaps at joins = dirt leaks. Spot ’em early. Save how to install metal edging for landscaping Keeping It Looking Good Year After Year Rinse yearly. Steel? Paint scratches. Others? Neglect works. Winter salt skips corten. Mulch hides grime, cuts weeds. Easy street. Metal Edging vs Plastic or Concrete: Why Metal Wins My Vote Metal edging vs plastic edging? Plastic’s bargain basement—breaks, fades, heaves. Metal laughs at that. Concrete? Solid but cracks, pricey, permanent mistake. Best metal edging for gardens is flexible steel or alum for the win. FAQs from Homeowners I Hear All the Time Can you put metal edging over grass?Yep, peel sod back first. How to cut it?Snips for thin, saw for thick. Gloves! Rust issues?Not galvanized or alum. Trees nearby?Aluminum flexes with roots. Cost per foot DIY?$1-3. Pros charge triple. Final Thoughts: Get Out There and Edge It That’s how to install metal edging for landscaping from someone who’s dug a million trenches. Clean lines, less work, yard pride. Hit the store, follow this, and thank me later. Your space deserves it Post navigation Tomato Plant Care: Simple Steps for a Bountiful Home Harvest How to Use a Smudge Stick: The Real Deal from My Years of Doing It