Buying guide
Landscape edging: types, costs & the best garden borders
A no-nonsense guide to picking landscape edging that survives a Sioux Falls winter — from the crew delivering the material to contractors and homeowners across the metro.
1. Types of landscape edging
Five materials cover almost every border we deliver for. The right pick depends on the bed material, how formal the look should be, and how much winter movement you're willing to fight.
Plastic (poly) edging
Best for: Mulch beds, curved garden borders, budget DIY projects
Pros
- Cheapest per linear foot — easy on a homeowner budget
- Flexes into tight curves without special tools
- One person can install a whole yard in an afternoon
Trade-offs
- Frost heave will lift sections every spring in South Dakota
- UV sunlight makes the top lip brittle after 5–7 seasons
- Looks utilitarian — the black lip usually shows above mulch
Fine for hidden bed edges under mulch. Use 10-inch galvanized spikes every 3 feet — the short plastic spikes it ships with won't hold through a Sioux Falls winter.
Steel & aluminum edging
Best for: Clean modern lines between lawn and beds, rock borders, tree rings
Pros
- Thin visible profile — reads as a crisp line, not a lip
- Holds shape through freeze-thaw better than any flexible edging
- Powder-coated and aluminum options never rust
Trade-offs
- Bare steel develops a rust patina (some homeowners want this)
- Harder to bend into tight radii — usually needs a helper
- Higher upfront cost than plastic
Our most-recommended edging for homeowners who want a professional look without replacing it in five years. Stocked in 4-inch and 6-inch profiles.
Natural stone & boulder edging
Best for: Rock gardens, informal borders, retaining a small grade change
Pros
- Every border is one-of-a-kind — no two yards look the same
- Doubles as a low seat wall or a bumper against mower wheels
- Never fades, rusts, cracks, or needs replacement
Trade-offs
- Heaviest option — plan on a wheelbarrow and a helper
- Irregular shapes leave gaps weeds can grow through
- Highest material cost per linear foot
Sold by the pallet or by the ton at the yard. Outcropping stone and chopped limestone are our two most popular picks for Sioux Falls landscapes.
Concrete paver & block edging
Best for: Formal beds, driveway aprons, matching an existing paver patio
Pros
- Matches the paver patio or walkway you already have
- Sits flat enough to run a mower wheel along it — no string trimming
- Wide range of colors, tumbled or smooth finishes
Trade-offs
- Straight-run pavers don't curve — tight radii need cut pieces
- Requires the same base prep as a patio to stay flat long-term
The 'mowing strip' install — one row of pavers set flush with the lawn — eliminates trimming and makes cleanup faster every week.
Wood & timber edging
Best for: Vegetable gardens, rustic beds, raised planters
Pros
- Warm, natural look that blends with informal landscapes
- Cedar and treated pine are easy to cut on-site
- Doubles as a low retaining edge for raised beds
Trade-offs
- Rots at the soil line — even treated lumber is a wear item
- Not recommended within a few feet of a foundation (termite risk)
Best for garden beds where you'll refresh soil every few years anyway. Skip landscape timbers along driveways — they don't survive plow contact.
2. How to choose
Match the edging to the bed, not the other way around. Here's what we recommend for the most common Sioux Falls yard scenarios.
| Scenario | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Curved mulch beds along the house | Steel or aluminum edging | Bends to the curve, disappears visually, holds the mulch line for decades. |
| Rock bed with river rock or decorative stone | 6-inch steel edging or a boulder border | Rock migrates further than mulch — you want a taller edge to contain it. |
| Formal border matching an existing paver patio | Concrete paver edging | Pull the same paver from your patio into a single soldier course around the bed for a cohesive look. |
| Vegetable garden or raised planter | Cedar or treated timbers | Easy to cut, safe against food crops, and cheap to replace every 10+ years. |
| Budget-first DIY refresh | Poly edging with long galvanized spikes | Under $1/linear foot installed. Plan to reset it after every hard winter. |
3. How to install landscape edging
The install sequence is nearly the same for steel, aluminum, and plastic edging. Skip any step and you'll be resetting the border next spring.
- 1
Mark the line with a garden hose
Lay a hose along the intended border and adjust the curve until it reads clean from the street. Spray-paint the ground along the hose before you dig.
- 2
Cut a clean trench
For steel or aluminum: 4–6 inches deep with a flat-blade spade or edging shovel. For plastic: 3–4 inches. Keep the trench walls vertical.
- 3
Set the edging to finished grade
Top of the edging should sit flush or 1/4 inch above the lawn — high enough to hold mulch in, low enough to run a mower wheel over.
- 4
Spike every 3 feet
Use 10-inch galvanized or aluminum spikes driven at an angle back toward the bed. This is what keeps frost heave from lifting the edging.
- 5
Backfill both sides
Tamp soil against the lawn side; add mulch or rock on the bed side. Both sides packed = edge stays vertical through winter.
- 6
Refresh mulch to the top of the edge
The edging looks best when the mulch or rock sits within an inch of its top lip. Skimpy fill exposes the edging and makes it look installed.
4. Frequently asked questions
What is the best landscape edging for Sioux Falls winters?
Steel or aluminum edging. Freeze-thaw cycles in eastern South Dakota will lift plastic edging out of the ground within a few seasons; heavier metal edging spiked 10 inches deep stays put.
How much does landscape edging cost per linear foot?
Installed material only: plastic runs $0.75–$1.50/ft, steel and aluminum $6–$14/ft, concrete paver borders $8–$15/ft, and natural stone $12–$25/ft depending on the stone type.
What's the best edging for a rock bed vs a mulch bed?
Rock beds need a taller edge — 6-inch steel or a boulder border — because decorative rock migrates further than mulch. Mulch beds do fine with a 4-inch steel or aluminum profile.
Do I need edging at all?
For a mulch or rock bed, yes — without an edge, grass creeps into the bed and mulch spills into the lawn. For turf-only borders you can hand-cut a spade edge each spring instead.
Can I install landscape edging myself?
Yes. Poly and 4-inch steel edging are one-afternoon DIY jobs. Boulder borders and paver mowing strips are heavier work — most homeowners rent a wheelbarrow or hire the install once the material is delivered.
Do you deliver edging materials in Sioux Falls?
We deliver steel edging, paver borders, and pallets of outcropping stone anywhere in the Sioux Falls metro for a flat $150 delivery fee. Enter your ZIP on the home page for coverage details.
Ready to price out your edging project?
Tell us your linear footage and material choice — we'll price the edging, spikes, and any mulch or decorative rock you need to finish the bed, and schedule delivery to your driveway.
Brands we stock for borders & hardscape
