We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Garden edging is an outdoor feature that can really take your yard’s appearance to the next level. It does this by marking the border between your yard and garden bed, keeping those pesky weeds and grass from taking over, and giving the whole area a polished, finished look. But if you care about both how your yard looks and the planet, it might be worth rethinking that plastic edging. Bamboo is a more eco-friendly option that could totally transform your outdoor space. Sure, plastic edging is super easy and cheap to put in, but it comes with plenty of drawbacks — mainly that it’ll fade in the sun and eventually end up in a landfill. Bamboo, though? It’s completely natural and breaks down naturally at the end of its life, which typically lasts five to ten years. Unlike plastic edging, which can look fake and out of place in a natural garden setting, bamboo edging keeps things looking natural while giving your garden that awesome tropical vibe. You’re not limited to just using bamboo around your garden beds either — try it as a driveway border or to line the walkway to your front door. When you line pavers or a brick path with it, you’ll get that fancy resort-style atmosphere.
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How to install bamboo edging
First things first — you’ll need to pick between larger-diameter bamboo pieces or thinner bamboo poles. The bigger ones will give you that fancy, resort-vibe feel, but fair warning: they’ll likely cost you more. You can create your own bamboo edging by cutting bamboo to the height you want, then tying each piece together with hemp cord for an eco-friendly, long-lasting result (you’ll find tons of tutorials online for the tying technique).
If making it yourself sounds like too much work, no worries — you can grab pre-made bamboo edging from Amazon. This one ($38.99) is 39 inches long and 8 inches tall, and it’s all set to go. It’s got great reviews too. You can find bamboo edging with the same height throughout, or go for varied heights to get that wild, tropical bamboo forest look.
Whether you buy it ready-made or build your own, installation is key to getting it right. Start by clearing the area where you’re putting the edging, getting rid of grass, weeds, rocks, mulch, and whatever else is in the way. Once bamboo sits in the dirt, it’ll face some tough conditions that can wear it down. So you’ll want to keep that bamboo sitting above the wet soil. Metal landscaping stakes work great for holding everything in place — just thread them through or behind the hollow bamboo poles and drive them into the ground. Place one stake every one to two feet along your edging for solid stability, and drive it deep enough for a solid grip. Once your edging is all set, take a step back and enjoy your new eco-friendly garden borders.
