How to Do Garden Edging: A Step-by-Step Guide from Bunnings

Transforming your garden into a well-manicured oasis often involves creating distinct boundaries between different areas. This is where garden edging comes into play, providing a clean, defined look while preventing soil erosion and weed intrusion. If you're a DIY enthusiast, you might be wondering, "How to do garden edging at Bunnings?" Let's delve into the process, step by step, using materials readily available at Bunnings Warehouse.

Before we dive into the methods, it's crucial to understand the types of garden edging. The most common are hard edging, soft edging, and composite edging. Hard edging includes materials like metal, plastic, and stone, while soft edging involves plants like boxwood or lavender. Composite edging combines the benefits of both, offering durability and a natural appearance. At Bunnings, you'll find a variety of these materials, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your garden's style and your budget.

Hard Garden Edging

Hard garden edging provides a crisp, defined look and is perfect for creating sharp borders around flower beds, pathways, and lawns. It's also durable and low-maintenance.

At Bunnings, you can find a range of hard edging materials, including metal, plastic, and stone. Each has its unique characteristics, so let's explore two popular options:

Metal Garden Edging

Metal garden edging, such as aluminum or steel, offers a sleek, modern look. It's durable, long-lasting, and resistant to rust and corrosion. Bunnings stocks a variety of metal edging styles, from simple flat strips to decorative designs.

To install metal edging, follow these steps: 1. Mark out the edging line using a garden hose or string. 2. Dig a trench along the line, about 2-3 inches deep and 4-6 inches wide. 3. Insert the metal edging into the trench, ensuring it's level and straight. 4. Secure the edging with stakes or by bending it into place. 5. Fill the trench with soil and compact it to hold the edging in place.

Plastic Garden Edging

Plastic garden edging is lightweight, flexible, and easy to install. It's also affordable and comes in various styles and colors. Bunnings offers a wide range of plastic edging options, from simple strips to more decorative designs.

Installing plastic edging is similar to metal edging: 1. Mark out the edging line. 2. Dig a trench, about 1-2 inches deep and 3-4 inches wide. 3. Insert the plastic edging into the trench, ensuring it's level and straight. 4. Secure the edging with stakes or by bending it into place. 5. Fill the trench with soil and compact it.

Soft Garden Edging

Soft garden edging, such as plants, provides a natural, organic look and helps to integrate your garden with the surrounding landscape. It also supports biodiversity by attracting pollinators and providing habitat for wildlife.

Bunnings offers a variety of plants suitable for soft edging, including shrubs, perennials, and grasses. Here are two popular options:

Boxwood Hedge

Boxwood hedges are classic choices for garden edging, providing a neat, formal look. They're easy to maintain, grow slowly, and can be pruned into various shapes. Bunnings stocks boxwood plants in different sizes, allowing you to create an instant hedge.

To plant a boxwood hedge: 1. Mark out the hedge line. 2. Dig a trench along the line, about 12 inches deep and twice the width of the plant's root ball. 3. Mix the removed soil with some compost to improve drainage and fertility. 4. Plant the boxwoods, spacing them according to the variety's growth rate. 5. Water the plants thoroughly and mulch around them to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Lavender Edging

Lavender is a fragrant, drought-tolerant perennial that adds color and texture to garden edging. It attracts bees and other pollinators, making it an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. Bunnings offers a range of lavender varieties, including English lavender and Spanish lavender.

Planting lavender is similar to planting boxwood: 1. Mark out the edging line. 2. Dig a trench, about 12 inches deep and twice the width of the plant's root ball. 3. Mix the removed soil with some sand or gravel to improve drainage. 4. Plant the lavender, spacing them about 18-24 inches apart. 5. Water the plants thoroughly and mulch around them with gravel or small pebbles to deter weeds and retain moisture.

As you embark on your garden edging project at Bunnings, remember that the key to a successful outcome lies in careful planning and preparation. Measure your garden space accurately, choose materials that complement your garden's style, and follow the installation instructions carefully. With a bit of patience and effort, you'll transform your garden into a beautiful, well-defined oasis that you'll be proud to show off. Happy gardening!