6 Best Raised Garden Bed Edging For Weed Control Old Gardeners Swear By
Discover 6 time-tested edging materials veteran gardeners use to keep raised beds weed-free. Learn the pros and cons of each for a tidy, low-maintenance garden.
I’ve spent more hours on my knees pulling grass out of my garden beds than I care to admit. The truth is, most of that work could have been avoided with a better plan from the start. A solid garden bed edge isn’t just for looks; it’s the single most effective, long-term strategy for keeping your garden yours and the weeds out.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Good Edging is Your First Line of Defense
Your garden edge is a border wall. It’s a physical barrier that stops invasive lawn grass, like Bermuda or quackgrass, from sending out runners and marching right into your cultivated soil. Without a defined, impenetrable edge, you are essentially inviting a constant, low-grade war you will have to fight all season long.
A proper edge also contains your resources. It holds your valuable topsoil, compost, and mulch in place, preventing it from washing out into your pathways during a heavy rain. This keeps nutrients where your plants need them and ensures your weed-suppressing mulch layer stays thick and effective. Think of it as building a fortress for your soil.
Corten Steel Edging for a Permanent Barrier
Corten, or "weathering steel," is one of those materials you install once and never think about again. It’s designed to form a stable, rust-like patina on its surface that actually protects the steel underneath from any further corrosion. This isn’t the kind of rust that flakes away; it’s a permanent, protective shield.
The real benefit for weed control is its profile. It’s thin enough to create a razor-sharp, clean line, but it’s incredibly rigid and strong. You can sink it deep enough to block even the most determined roots, and lawnmower wheels can run right up against it without causing damage. The upfront cost is higher than other options, but if you measure cost over a 30-year lifespan, it suddenly looks very affordable.
Reclaimed Brick Edging for Timeless Control
There’s a reason you see old brick-edged gardens still looking sharp after decades. Reclaimed brick provides a heavy, substantial barrier that physically blocks weeds and grass. It has a classic, timeless look that fits almost any garden style, and you can often find piles of old bricks for cheap or even free from demolition sites or online marketplaces.
The success of a brick edge depends entirely on the installation. Simply laying them on the dirt is asking for trouble; frost heave will push them around, creating gaps for weeds to exploit. For a truly permanent barrier, you need to dig a shallow trench and lay them on a bed of sand or gravel. It’s a lot of work upfront, but the result is a beautiful, functional edge that will last a lifetime.
Untreated Cedar Timbers: A Natural Solution
If you want the structure of wood without the chemicals found in pressure-treated lumber, untreated cedar is the way to go. Cedar contains natural oils that make it inherently resistant to rot and insects. It provides a thick, solid wall against encroaching weeds and gives the garden a warm, rustic, and organized appearance.
You have to accept its lifespan. Even cedar will eventually break down from constant contact with damp soil, but you can expect a solid 10 to 15 years out of it, which is a pretty good run. The key is to use substantial timbers, like 4x4s or 6x6s, as thinner boards will warp and bow under the pressure of the soil. It’s a fantastic middle-ground between temporary and permanent solutions.
Concrete Cinder Blocks: The Utilitarian Choice
Sometimes, function beats form. Cinder blocks are the undisputed champion of cheap, effective, and no-nonsense garden edging. They are heavy, stable, and create an impassable wall that grass runners simply cannot breach. You set them in place, and your work is done.
While they won’t win any beauty contests, they have a certain brutalist charm and offer a unique secondary benefit. The holes in the blocks can be filled with soil and used as mini-planters for herbs, marigolds, or strawberries. This turns your border into productive space. Just be sure you know where you want them, because once you fill a bed behind a wall of cinder blocks, they are not easy to move.
Frame It All Composite: Low-Maintenance Option
For those who want the look of wood without any of the maintenance, composite timbers are a modern solution. Made from a blend of recycled plastics and wood fibers, these materials are engineered to be completely impervious to rot, insects, and moisture. You install them once, and they will look the same in 20 years as they did on day one.
The main tradeoff here is cost and character. Composites are typically more expensive than standard lumber and lack the natural grain and feel of real wood or stone. However, for a busy gardener who values durability and a clean, consistent look above all else, they are an excellent "set it and forget it" choice that provides a perfect, gap-free weed barrier.
DIY Woven Wattle Fencing: A Thrifty Method
Wattle is an ancient fencing technique that involves weaving thin, flexible branches (like willow, hazel, or even vigorous fruit tree prunings) around sturdy upright stakes. If you have access to these materials on your property, it’s a completely free and incredibly charming way to define a garden bed. It gives a space an old-world, cottage-garden feel that is hard to replicate.
Let’s be clear: wattle is a visual and psychological barrier more than a physical one. While it does a decent job of holding back mulch and soil, determined grass will find its way through the gaps over time. This method is best for gardeners who enjoy the process of making things by hand and don’t mind a bit of ongoing edge maintenance. It’s a beautiful, sustainable option, as long as you understand its limitations.
Choosing the Right Edging for Your Garden Style
The best choice comes down to balancing three things: your budget, the labor you’re willing to invest, and the longevity you expect. Corten steel is a high-cost, low-labor, high-longevity option. Wattle is a no-cost, high-labor, low-longevity choice. Be honest with yourself about where your priorities lie.
Don’t forget to consider your garden’s overall aesthetic. The clean, modern lines of steel might look out of place in a rustic cottage garden, where reclaimed brick or cedar would feel right at home. The right edging does more than just stop weeds; it acts as the frame for your garden masterpiece, tying the entire space together.
Ultimately, the best garden edging is the one you actually install. Taking a weekend to build a proper border is an investment that pays you back with countless hours saved from the tedious task of weeding. Choose wisely, build it well, and get back to the more enjoyable parts of gardening.
