30 Budget-Saving and Creative Garden Edging Ideas

By
Stacy Fisher
Stacy Fisher, Writer
Stacy Fisher
Stacy is an expert writer for The Spruce covering home DIY projects and crafts. She has over 18 years of journalistic experience, appearing as a DIY expert on the Dr. Oz Show and several radio shows. She has published hundreds of articles and co-authored a book.
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Updated on 11/08/24
A garden edging made out of boulders

cgbalauf / Getty Images

You can use cheap and creative garden edging ideas to add a finished look to your yard, protect plants from trimmers, keep grass out of the garden, and more. These inexpensive garden edging ideas show you how to get a sharp look on a budget and with a beginner skill level. Use various edging materials to define the look of your space with a garden border, including hardscapes, like bricks or pavers, and organic materials, like mulch or plants.

Here are budget-saving garden edging ideas for a beautiful lawn.

  • 01 of 30

    Wood Chip Mulch Garden Border

    Mulch used as edging for a garden

    skhoward / Getty Images

    One inexpensive gardening edge idea is to use wood chip mulch to separate the lawn from the garden. Wood chips look great, function to stop weeds from growing, and retain moisture for your plants.

  • 02 of 30

    Curved Brick Border

    A backyard with a brick edging

    JenniferPhotographyImaging / Getty Images

    A curved brick edge looks great but also allows you to not worry about getting the lines straight when you're putting everything together, making it easy to install. Plus, bricks are an inexpensive option if budget is a concern.

  • 03 of 30

    Rocks Meet Pavers Edge

    Pavers and stones used as edging

    welcomia / Getty Images

    Make more of a statement by using two materials to edge your garden. Here, pavers sit against the lawn to create a clean edge. Rocks are then used to separate the other part of the yard, where the trees and bushes grow.

  • 04 of 30

    Natural Plant Border

    An organic garden edge

    RA Kearton / Getty Images

    Plants, flowers, and bushes are all used to create an edge in this beautiful garden. This is a budget-friendly idea, and it adds color and greenery to your yard.

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  • 05 of 30

    Stone Path

    A path and yard edge

    baona / Getty Images

    Another way to divide a garden from a yard is to put a path between the two. Here, stones and pavers create a path for a more formal garden. The green of the lawn pops when set by this beautiful stone path.

  • 06 of 30

    Wood Edge

    Wood edging by a flower bed

    Helin Loik-Tomson

    Wood is also an excellent way to create a border between a yard and a garden. Here, a small garden bed with flowers has been edged with wooden logs that are easy to replace if necessary. You don't need a big garden to edge it away from your yard and create a crisp look.

  • 07 of 30

    Brick Wall Edge

    A brick wall being used as edging

    RA Kearton / Getty Images

    Here, bricks have been used to build a wall that acts like the edging between the garden and the lawn. You could also use pavers and rocks to build a similar wall. Since you're using more materials, this project will be pricier than your average edging. However, it creates quite the statement and might just be what you're looking for.

  • 08 of 30

    Two Rows of Stone Border

    Two rows of pavers ad garden edging

    beekeepx / Getty Images

    Pick an inexpensive material and then create another row with the same material. Pavers are a great pick but almost anything would work. Stagger the pavers to create a straight-line edging against the rest of the yard. This is a great technique to use on smaller gardens and flower beds.

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  • 09 of 30

    Boulder Border

    A garden bed with a rock edging

    cgbalauf / Getty Images

    Consider adding small boulders as your edging for a natural look around a garden. Boulders and mulch divide the flower garden from the rest of the yard. It's a budget-friendly way to add unique edging to your garden.

  • 10 of 30

    Small Garden Raised Bed Border

    Wooden edging between a garden and yard

    PaulMaguire / Getty Images

    Here's an inexpensive gardening edging idea that uses just a few materials and takes no time to create. Inexpensive lumber is used for the garden's edging. It's nailed together to form a frame that creates a border between the small garden and the gravel yard.

  • 11 of 30

    Poured Concrete and Gravel Path

    Poured concrete edging

    annick vandershcelden photography / Getty Images

    Poured concrete is a popular choice for garden edging. Here it's used to give some organic curves to an area filled with gravel. It adds a clear definition of the garden and the yard, creating two separate spaces.

  • 12 of 30

    Railroad Tie Crossing Edge

    Edging using railroad ties

    John Keeble / Getty Images

    Another inexpensive garden edging idea is to use railroad ties. These are inexpensive and, if you're lucky enough, you might be able to score some for free. It creates a rustic division of the yard and garden. Here it's also been raised to give it even more definition.

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  • 13 of 30

    Mini Wooden Fence Border

    A mini fence being used as edging

    LeeYiuTung / Getty Images

    Fences don't just have to be for privacy, they can give some character to a backyard. This one is a mini fence that's built to separate one space of the yard from another. Flowers planted here look lovely against the fence.

  • 14 of 30

    Stacked Rock Edge

    A flower bed with a stacked stone edge

    Darrel Gulin / Getty Images

    Rocks stacked upon each other here create an edging separating the garden and lawn. This is an easy DIY project, saving you the cost of hiring someone to install for you.

  • 15 of 30

    Formal Meets Rustic Edge

    A formal garden with a log edge

    skhoward / Getty Images

    Use what you already have to save money on edging. Here an old log creates a distinct separation between a garden and the yard. The formal garden emphasizes this rustic edging.

  • 16 of 30

    Garden Plastic Edge

    Wavy garden edging

    MargaretyW / Getty Images

    Plastic has more advantages over other types of landscape edging. It's relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and lasts for years. Create straight lines or curves to go around the garden.

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  • 17 of 30

    Decorative Fence Border

    A white decorative fence used as edging

    Simon McGill/Getty Images

    Try a small decorative fence for a charming garden edging idea. It goes around the garden, putting a barrier up against the rest of the wall. You can pair a fence with mulch or rocks, or use it alone.

  • 18 of 30

    Clean Line Path

    A shovel edging a flower bed

    Nickbeer/Getty Images

    The most inexpensive type of garden edging is the one you do yourself. Here, a shovel has created a small trench in the dirt as a sharp edge between the garden and the yard. It's easy to install but does require regular maintenance.

  • 19 of 30

    Simple Fence Border

    A wooden and rope fence used as edging

    beekeepx / Getty Images

    Many inexpensive garden edging ideas are low to the ground but a tall fence placed at the garden's edge can corral large plants and keep them tidy without letting them flop over.

  • 20 of 30

    Flagstone Edging Path

    A flagstone path around a garden's edge

    kschulze / Getty Images

    Flagstone is a popular and affordable way to edge a garden. Here a pathway out of flagstone looks enchanting. and act as edging for the pots and plants that surround them.

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  • 21 of 30

    Scalloped Stone Edge

    Scalloped garden edging

    alejandrophotography / Getty Images

    Specialty stones can be used to make a striking border. The scalloped concrete border goes around a tree to contain some plants. It makes quite the statement and not much is used since it's such a small area.

  • 22 of 30

    Rocky Mulch Path

    Rocks and mulch acting as garden edging

    Besaplyi / Getty Images

    Extreme edging here separates a formal garden from a well-kept yard. Rock is used on the outermost edge and different color mulches are added for variety. Using varied colors of materials elevates the look of your garden.

  • 23 of 30

    Faux Stone Border

    A faux brick garden edge

    RobertsGalleries / Getty Images

    Faux stone is a ready-to-go edging material that keeps everything in its place. If you don't have access to costly real stone, you can get the same look for less using synthetic stone.

  • 24 of 30

    Concrete and Stone Edge

    A rock and concrete garden edge

    Lana2011 / Getty Images

    The stones that make up this garden edge have been put together with some concrete. You still get the natural look of stones but a more polished edge. This is an edging that will stay in place and you'll be able to use it year after year.

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  • 25 of 30

    Rustic Rocks Path

    A natural garden edge

    SkyF / Getty Images

    It doesn't get much rustic than this. This inexpensive garden edging idea uses rocks to create the edge. These common rocks are incredibly easy to find. Use them to create a natural-looking edge to last for generations.

  • 26 of 30

    Pound in Plastic Edge

    rubber garden edge

    Jena Ardell / Getty Images

    Pound in plastic is both easy to install and sturdy. Pound in plastic only requires you to pound in the plastic material with spikes to secure the edging to the ground. This means no digging.

  • 27 of 30

    Metal Edging Path

    metal garden edging

    richard johnson / Getty Images

    Metal edging creates crisp, clean lines and can be curved if needed. It's easy to install, which is a bonus, not to mention low maintenance. Plus, it's very durable. When it comes to metal edging, you have plenty of options to pick from, including aluminum, steel, and other varieties depending on your preference. Metal edging is used in lawns, these can also work for patios.

  • 28 of 30

    Recycled Rubber Edge

    Recycled plastic landscape edging in a flower bed

    The Spruce / Jacob Fox

    Recycled rubber edging is an affordable option and easy to manipulate for customization. Use recycled rubber edging to contain loose materials like wood chips.

    Continue to 29 of 30 below
  • 29 of 30

    Landscape Timber Border

    How to Install Landscape Timber Edging

    The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

    Use landscape timber edging to help define a space and hold in a material that doesn't have a clear edge, like stone or dirt. It's an inexpensive way to add definition to a yard.

  • 30 of 30

    Bamboo Border

    Landscape of flowers and plants with bamboo edging

    Qin Ningzhen / Getty Images

    Bamboo edging has many benefits besides its striking aesthetics. This tropical-style edging reduces weed growth and lowers the need for edge-cutting for less maintenance.

FAQ
  • What is the cheapest way to edge your garden?

    Plastic or rubber edging materials are the cheapest ways to edge your garden.

  • What type of edging is best to keep mulch in place?

    Wood edging is a solid material that inexpensively keeps mulch in place. Try metal edging for an effective option that offers a different aesthetic.

  • What is the easiest landscape edging to install?

    The easiest landscape edging to install is no-dig plastic edging. No-dig plastic edging uses spikes to secure the edging material, so no digging is required.