Plastic edging

[Rekusu]

What ho one and all,

As edging between the soil and gravel path, we originally used 4x1 tanalised timer which I gave a coat of black wood preservative. Looks good when new but as it is rubbish, fast growing wood, it does not have longevity when in the ground.

It lasted about 5 years before I had to renew it all. Five years later, and not surprisingly, it is rotting again.

I am thinking of using this edging (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forever-Speed-Polyethylene-Plastic-10mx10cm/dp/B015MOW4CU/ref=sr_1_65?keywords=Metal+Lawn+Edging&qid=1677334050&sr=8-65&th=1) but not really sure.

Does anyone have great things to endorse it? Or even negative.

Vertically, how flexible is it? We currently have a 5cm difference in height from the gravel to the soil and I do wonder if the 2mm thickens will bend in time.

Grateful for any suggestions.

I am happy to use wood again but would like something that will last longer than five years!!!

Thanks and toodle pip

 

[pcaouolte]

I don't have any knowledge of the Amazon offering but I have used the "Classic" version of this https://www.everedge.co.uk/ and found it to be strong, long lasting and easy to install. You can bend it easily to form curves or tight bends (bend it in the jaws of a workmate to get a tight bend), it blends in to the garden (they do 7 different colours, I use the brown version) it will separate different materials and different levels, it is available in 4 heights from 75mm to 150mm.

 

[DiyNutJob]

No experience. But sun UV can kill plastic. Maybe use brick?

 

[Rekusu]

Thanks for the advice. I am uncertain about the Everedge because the areas I want to use are are not bed/grass but bed, gravel drive. And when the drive was laid, the build-up is crushed builders rubble, grade 1 scalping and then the gravel.

I can see immense challenges hammering the Everedge spikes into the ground. As the current rotten timber is semi-recessed, I can drag the drive material away to the base of the timber, but those spikes, ............!

I guess if necessary, I could grind off the spikes and only have a few to hold the edge in place.

More investigation is needed.

Toodle pip

 

[conny]

My experience of plastic edging is, it degrades over time and if you use a strimmer it tends to crack and chip off.
If using wood I would use a dense hardwood, thoroughly treated with preservative and possibly put some form of dpc roll in place where it touches the ground/soil.

 

[Rekusu]

The dpc is a good idea. I had considered that in the past and not used it. Obviously, the wood rots due to the damp conditions and contact with the soil. I don't know but would there be any difference between damp soil in contact with the wood and dpc which will not allow water to drain away so easily? But what do I know?

Have just spoken with Everedge and I think cost will be a major factor if I am to replace all the edging. They are recommending the Titan edging, which does not have spikes but is more expensive at £41 per 2.5m. Then there is a minimum spend to get a reasonable delivery cost; as I would be under that minimum, the delivery is not cheap (plus VAT.)

The more I investigate, seems timber is the best cost option and just have to replace it again in X years time.

 

[cwhaley]

I've used that edging before -- it's rubbish. Looks great, but gets in the way and degrades over time through UV exposure. I now fully appreciate the beauty of a finely trimmed lawn edge using a sharp edging tool.

If you want to use a form of edging then timber is your best bet. I wouldn't bother buying all these special products at inflated prices, just get lengths of timber and coat in linseed oil (soak the cut ends). I have 9" x 2" pine (just old shuttering boards) used for some raised veg beds, cost me about £7 per length and has lasted 3 years. I'm confident of getting at least another 5 years out of it.

 

[Rekusu]

Thanks. I think the timber is the way to go.