Keeping Plants Where They BelongOne of the best things you can do to improve the appearance of your yard is to define the paths and driveway edges with a good edging material. There is a variety of materials available for this job. Find out which one is right for your yard.
Wood. One of the least expensive option is just plain old wood: pressure-treated 1 x 6 lumber. You can even bend it by making kerf cuts on the back. Use a saw to cut about halfway through the board every inch or two.
Steel edging. Another economical choice is steel edgine. It takes curves very nicely, and it lasts a long time. Even better, it "disappears" in the landscape. But it can be difficult to work with; you might want to hire a professional.
Plastic. Polystyrene products are probably the most popular. You can use them to create curves or even circles. It also lasts a very long time. You anchor them with pins that you drive through the edge at an angle into the dirt.Bricks and concrete pavers. These provide a nice, decorative look; they're very well-suited for Victorian-style houses. They require a little more work, however. You'll have to dig a trench about 6 inches deep; lay the bricks on their sides at an angle in the trench.
Retaining walls. If you have a slope that you need to keep in place, take a look at decorative concrete blocks designed for just that purpose. You can stack them to about 3 feet, then backfill with gravel and soil. It' will provide excellent drainage and soil retention.
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