DIY Cement Garden Edging: Create Clean, Inexpensive Landscape Borders with a Simple Hack

Transform your garden and landscape with pristine, professional-looking borders without breaking the bank. This comprehensive tutorial reveals a clever, inexpensive method for creating clean and simple garden edging using a common cement staple, providing an enduring solution that defines your outdoor spaces beautifully.

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For years, gardening enthusiasts and visitors alike have admired the neat, defined borders of our garden and pathways, often asking, “What kind of edging do you use?” The answer, surprisingly, is incredibly simple, cost-effective, and remarkably durable. It’s a secret that has been patiently waiting to be shared, offering a practical solution for anyone looking to achieve a clean-lined landscape aesthetic on a budget. Whether you’re aiming to delineate flower beds, contain gravel paths, or simply add a polished finish to your lawn, this DIY cement garden edging technique is a game-changer.

The quest for beautiful and functional garden edging often leads to expensive materials and complex installation methods. However, our journey to this simple solution began out of necessity and a love for repurposing. When we first moved into our 80s ranch-turned-cottage, we inherited a substantial amount of traditional scalloped garden edgers. While perfectly functional, their “frou-frou” design didn’t align with my preference for a more modern, clean, and straight-edged landscape.

Instead of discarding these perfectly good, albeit aesthetically unappealing, pieces, I sought a way to transform them. The “aha!” moment arrived when I realized that by simply flipping these scalloped edgers upside down, their previously decorative top edge became a straight, unassuming base. The once-scalloped underside, now facing upwards, offered a subtle, almost invisible curve that complemented, rather than dominated, the landscape. This ingenious hack not only saved money but also allowed us to utilize existing materials, embodying a sustainable approach to gardening and landscaping.

The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. While standard scalloped garden edgers might not be everyone’s first choice for a sleek landscape, their inherent design allows for this brilliant transformation. If you appreciate the scalloped look, that’s wonderful – garden design is personal! However, for those of us who favor crisp lines and a minimalist aesthetic, this upside-down cement edging hack delivers exactly that. It’s an affordable way to achieve high-end landscaping results without the high-end cost or the complexity of specialized edging materials.

As we continued to revamp our front garden and entry, we consistently relied on this method to create defined borders for our flower beds and walkways. The consistent, straight edge provided a cohesive and polished look throughout the entire area, significantly enhancing our home’s curb appeal. The clean lines created by these inverted edgers make maintenance a breeze, allowing for easy mowing and weed-trimming right up to the border.

Later, during our backyard makeover, which included a new gravel patio, we needed additional edging. This is when we truly appreciated the cost-effectiveness and versatility of these cement pieces. We discovered that dedicated curved sections were also available for purchase, allowing for even more design flexibility. However, for more subtle, gentle curves, we found a creative way to use broken straight pieces, effectively repurposing material that might otherwise be discarded.

The Unbeatable Value of Cement Garden Edgers

One of the most compelling reasons to choose this type of cement garden edging is its price point. When we needed to purchase new pieces to match our existing landscape, we were pleasantly surprised to find that these humble edgers consistently ranked among the most affordable options for durable, long-lasting borders. Typically retailing for between $1.69 and $2.00 for a 2-foot section, depending on your location, this translates to roughly $1 or less per foot. This is an exceptional value, especially when compared to plastic alternatives that often degrade quickly, or more expensive materials like natural stone or elaborate pavers that require significant investment and specialized installation.

Cement edgers offer superior longevity and stability. Unlike many plastic options that become brittle with sun exposure or shift easily, concrete provides a sturdy, permanent border that withstands the elements and the test of time. This durability means fewer replacements and less maintenance in the long run, making them an even smarter investment for your landscape. Their weight also helps keep them firmly in place, preventing soil and mulch from encroaching on your lawn or paths.

While most of our landscape uses straight lines, creating gentle curves is entirely possible with this system. For soft arcs, you can carefully use existing broken pieces, or if necessary, gently score and break a few edgers yourself. The key is to manage expectations for the tightness of the curve; this method works best for broad, sweeping arcs rather than sharp turns. The availability of dedicated curved pieces also expands the design possibilities, allowing for a harmonious blend of straight lines and graceful bends throughout your garden.

Watch the Installation: Cement Garden Edging Video Tutorial

To truly convey the simplicity and effectiveness of this DIY garden edging method, my husband Brian and I put together a quick video tutorial. It illustrates each step of the installation process, from preparing the trench to locking the pieces into place. We believe seeing it in action will help you confidently tackle your own landscaping project.

How to Install Inexpensive Cement Garden Edging: Step-by-Step Guide

Installing this cement garden edging is a straightforward process that requires only a few basic tools and a bit of elbow grease. Here’s a detailed guide to help you achieve a beautifully defined garden:

Supplies Needed:

• 2 ft. Scalloped Cement Garden Edging (in gray): Calculate the linear feet required for your project. Always purchase a few extra pieces to account for potential breaks or future expansions.
• Heavy Duty Pick Mattock or Shovel/Hoe: A pick mattock (link to pick mattock) is ideal for tougher, compacted soil. For softer ground, a pointed shovel (link to pointed shovel) or a sturdy hoe (link to hoe) will suffice.
• Garden Trowel: Essential for fine-tuning the trench depth and adding/removing small amounts of soil. (link to garden trowel)
• Heavy Duty Leather Work/Garden Gloves: Protect your hands from blisters, cuts, and the rough cement. (link to work gloves)
• Small Level: Crucial for ensuring your edging is perfectly even. A small torpedo level is easy to handle. (link to small level)
• 5-Gallon Bucket or Wheelbarrow: For holding excavated dirt, making it easy to move and reuse.

The Installation Steps:

1) Plan Your Garden Border: Before you start digging, lay out your cement edgers along the desired path or bed edge. This allows you to visualize the final result, adjust the placement as needed, and ensure you have enough pieces. Use string or spray paint to mark your lines for accuracy, especially for longer stretches or gentle curves. This preliminary step prevents wasted effort and ensures a cohesive design.

2) Dig the Trench: Using your pick mattock or shovel, dig a trench approximately 3-4 inches deep and slightly wider than the edging pieces. The goal is to bury about 3/4 of the edger, leaving 2-3 inches visible above ground. This depth provides stability and allows the low-profile edge to define your space without being a tripping hazard. Scoop the excavated dirt into your bucket or wheelbarrow, keeping it close by for backfilling.

3) Lay the Edging Pieces Upside Down: Carefully place your first edging piece into the trench, ensuring the scalloped side is facing down and the flat, previously bottom edge, is facing up. This is the “secret” to achieving the clean, straight look. Use your small level to check for levelness horizontally and vertically. Adjust the trench depth as needed by scooping out more dirt from high spots with your trowel or adding a bit of soil underneath any low spots until the piece is perfectly level and stable. The precision here ensures a professional finish.

These specific cement edgers are designed with interlocking male and female triangle ends, which greatly simplifies the connection process. As you lay each new piece, firmly push its male end into the female end of the previously laid piece. This tight connection minimizes shifting and creates a continuous, secure border. Take your time to ensure each connection is snug and the entire line remains straight and level.

4) Backfill and Tamp: Once a section of edging is laid and leveled, begin backfilling the trench with the dirt you removed earlier. Fill both sides of the edging piece, ensuring the soil packs tightly around the cement. Use your hands to firmly tamp down the soil, then gently step along the sides of the newly installed edging. Be careful not to apply too much pressure or rock the pieces out of alignment. Tamping is vital for stability, preventing the edgers from shifting over time due to rain or foot traffic.

Continue these steps, piece by piece, until your entire landscaping project is bordered. The initial installation creates a stable foundation, but over the next few months, natural elements like rain and settling soil will work to fully anchor your cement edging into place, making it even more robust.

Long-Term Benefits and Durability

The cement garden edging installed using this method has proven incredibly resilient. Much of the edging pictured in this article remained perfectly intact and functional for over 12 years while we lived in our cottage. Its durability is one of its strongest selling points. The cement construction can withstand various weather conditions, from heavy rain to freezing temperatures, without cracking or shifting, a common issue with less robust materials.

Beyond aesthetics, this type of edging offers significant practical advantages. Its firm, level surface makes lawn care considerably easier. You can easily mow right up to the edge without fear of damaging your mower blades or the edging itself. Similarly, using a weed-eater or string trimmer around the lawn areas becomes a simple task, as the defined border prevents accidental scalping of garden beds or damage to plants. Furthermore, for garden beds adjacent to gravel paths or patios, this cement edging acts as an effective barrier, preventing gravel from migrating into your lawn or soil from washing onto your paved surfaces. This containment significantly reduces maintenance time and keeps your landscape looking tidy.

This simple, inexpensive cement garden edging solution is a testament to the idea that creativity and resourcefulness can lead to truly impactful results. What started as a way to reuse inherited materials on a tight budget evolved into a long-lasting, visually appealing, and highly functional landscape feature. It’s an approach that combines sustainability with practicality, delivering a clean, modern aesthetic that stands the test of time.

What kind of garden edging do you use in your landscape? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below!

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