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  • From: gardenlit@aol.com
  • To: gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [gwl-g] Plastic garden/landscape edging
  • Date: Tue, 04 Oct 2005 14:37:21 -0400

Has anyone used plastic garden edging to separate mowed turf from garden and had a positive experience for several seasons, especially in the north? Mowing, installation, and barrier effectiveness are concerns.
 
The garden I'm having a problem with is 90ft long on a hill in zone 4 Maine. The garden ends at the bottom of the hill. It's a country garden with a "natural" look (and deer traffic). The garden is bark mulch over soil over newspaper. I "edge" in spring and fall but I am losing the edging game as grass roots seek and become embedded in the moist newspaper layer, especially this time of year.
 
The depths of edging I've seen advertised on the web are 4", 5" and 6" in 20 foot lengths or 100 foot rolls. These don't seem deep enough to keep out rogue grass and sorrel. Gardener's Supply has an 8" in short lengths that can be pounded in. I'm not optimistic about my abilitly to install these in a straight line.
 
The axis sight line is relatively straight and clear but not completely level - there are dips, rocky soil, tree roots.
 
I've read that plastic edging is susceptible to frost heaves.
 
The only tops on edging I see on the web are round lip or no lip. Does one mow over these, forcing the wheels onto the mulch, or does one mow to the side? Would one have to follow up with a string trimmer for a clean line? I've read about damage to mower blades from metal edging.
 
I think I remember seeing a plastic depth barrier with a flat lip that lawn mower wheels could rest on, but I can't find it now.
 
Any advice? Alternatives? Composite? I've tried old carpet, etc and it works for a while but eventually roots get under it and become embedded in the material and becomes a mess. And the mower blows the mulch off.
 
We've had discussions on edging before, but I bring it up again. Any new developments in edging materials or techniques? 
 
Thanks.
 
Sally



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