Installing Concrete Paver Edging
Have you ever wanted to learn about Installing Concrete Paver Edging?
Edging can be a beautiful and decorative addition to your landscaping. It can delineate two different landscape materials, but can also prevent lighter weight materials (like mulch and fine gravel) from washing out during rain storms. Ultimately landscape edging is one element that easily adds value and a professional touch in your yard. Hello, it’s Diane + Dean back again to share how to install concrete paver edging around an area in your backyard.
There are many types of edging you can chose from. Landscape edging is available in many materials: plastic, steel, poured concrete, stone, and wood. It’s up to you to choose materials that will fit with your landscape style. But, today we’ll be showing you how to install concrete paver edging, which is beautiful, long lasting, and can be a very affordable choice for edging around your flower beds or garden. Ready to learn how to install your own concrete paver edging? You can definitely do this!
Installing Concrete Paver Edging Materials:
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- Concrete Pavers
- Rubber Mallet
- Landscape Stone
- Shovel
- Spray marking chalk (optional)
- Gloves
Installing Concrete Paver Edging Instructions:
In the above photo we used plastic edging at first. We installed it while building out this gravel pathway but it wasn’t performing the way we had hoped for in this particular area. Anytime we had a lot of rain, the gravel would wash over the plastic. We decided to scrap the plastic edging and use some extra concrete pavers to provide more stability between the two areas.
Step 1: Use a shovel or use your hands to dig out an area slightly wider than the pavers. Dig down about an inch so the pavers will be slightly raised above the ground level.
Step 2: Level the dirt (base) so that the pavers will be level when laid next to each other. (You may need to remove any leaves or fallen tree debris to achieve a nice level surface.
Step 3: Starting at one end, begin laying your pavers next to each other.
Work one paver at a time, adjusting the soil underneath to level it with the adjacent stones.
Step 4: Using the rubber mallet, strike the end of each paver to secure it as tightly as possible to the previously laid one. To help achieve a level paver line, you may use the mallet to pound the top of the pavers as well.
Step 5: When you arrive at a curve in your design, create a gradual bend. Make sure the corners of the pavers meet at one point. You may have to re-position the pavers a few times to get it to fit just right!
Tips for working with curves:
- Equal the spacing between pavers, so that the gap is similar for each paver. Instead of a large gap between two pavers, spread the gap over multiple pavers (5 or 6) so it isn’t as drastic a turn.
- Use a garden hose or string to lay out curves, but you can also use spray marking chalk to help with the layout. Draw a curve on the ground using the marking paint and step back to take a look. If you don’t like it or want to fix specific areas on the curve, scratch the paint off with your foot and re-draw your line.
- Check your work as you go along! Step back, take a deep breath and see if you need to make adjustments. Don’t try to conquer Rome in a single pass! We have found that by stepping back to look at the projects as you go is a great way to make adjustments instead of having to go back when you think everything is done. It is also a great way to appreciate the work you have completed so far and gain a greater sense of accomplishment.
Step 6: Fill in the gaps with landscape gravel if creating a pathway.
Where the pavers do not meet completely, fill in with small landscape gravel to give a cohesive look.
Fill your second area with a contrasting material (like mulch, pine straw, soil, grass or other natural elements.
If you liked this post on concrete paver edging you may also want to see how we built a concrete paver walkway.
Want more landscaping ideas? See how to add a mulch and stone path in a few hours:
Or learn the basics of landscaping your yard:
Good work with the curved pieces I would have never thought you had to cut the actual pieces so they curve like that. Thanks for writing!
What about putting down a base below the pavers? Sitting directly in dirt will not create an environment for the pavers to remain level long term.
We’re doing edging on our property and this was a great help, thanks
Thanks Diane/Dean for this helpful guide. We’ve spent a lot of time landscaping and gardening our property, and edging is one of the last major things that remain to do. We’re planning on doing mostly brick edging. Did you make an accompanying video for this process, or is it just the pictures? It’s not a big deal, but I thought I’d ask anyway. Thanks again