Plastic Edging Installation
Many people find plastic edging difficult to install.
However, there are a few tips that can make the
installation easier and much more efficient.
The first thing to do before you start is to pull back
your landscape barrier, so you don't damage it during
installation.  
For the installation to be done correctly, the edging
must sit fairly deep in the ground with the round
portion of edging visible. If you plan on laying down
a very thick layer of cover, you may want to let a
little bit of the straight section show, but if too much
is above the ground the edging won't stay in place.
There are two ways to install the edging. If you have
ground that is mainly composed of black dirt and
packs together well. I would recommend the first
method. If you have sandy ground that won't stay in
place, I would recommend the second.
If you plan to use the first method:

  • take your shovel and push it into the ground
    parallel to the edge of your bed
  • work the shovel back and forth to pack the dirt
    to the sides of the trench you're cutting
  • after you've cut a trench that is deep enough
    and wide enough for the edging, press the
    edging in
  • once you have the edging in place hammer the
    landscaping stakes through the bottom lip or
    through the side diagonally to keep the edging
    in place
If you plan to use the second method:

  • take your shovel and line it up perpendicular to
    the edge of the bed
  • dig a shovelful out and work your way
    backwards along the edge of your bed (you go
    backwards because it's easier to get full
    shovelfuls) and put the dirt in a wheelbarrow
  • now that you have a trench dug, place your
    edging in the trench and hold it in place while
    your partner takes the dirt from the
    wheelbarrow and fill in along the edging
  • drive stakes into the bottom lip or side of the
    edging on the diagonal to keep the edging in
    place
  • pack the edging down with your foot