Remove Steel Edging?

12 years ago

Our front walk is flagstone with sand in between. (May not be relevant to the actual question - but maybe gives you a sense the overall feel of our entry/home is relaxed - not formal.)

One side of the walk bordered completely (entire length) by mulched planting beds. The other side of the walk is bordered 1/3 with mulched planting beds and 2/3 lawn.

We have steel edging with plastic cap (installed 20 yrs ago) on the entire side that has mulched beds the entire length. The 1/3 that is against mulched beds does *not* have edging but the 2/3 that goes against the grass does have edging.

My wife and I both hate the edging. She hates the looks and I hate the fact the cap keeps coming up, it has ripped in a couple of areas, etc.

The portion that has no edging looks fine. So - my question is whether there is an consensus on whether this kind of product really adds value - or can it just be taken out? I'm leaning toward just ripping it out since that one section looks fine. But I thought I'd check with experts in case it was a stupid idea.

Thanks.

Jim

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

PRO
Yardvaark
12 years ago
please show in a picture
Haselsmasher
Original Author
12 years ago
Hopefully this pic conveys the current state. The right side of the walk is the side that has edging along the entire length leading to our front door. On the left you can see where there is no edging, as well as how it exists where the turf is.

Thanks!
Related Professionals
Cape Coral Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · California Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Killeen Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Middletown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · San Bernardino Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Dover Landscape Contractors · Middletown Landscape Contractors · Janesville Landscape Contractors · Palm Desert Landscape Contractors · Saint George Landscape Contractors · Anchorage Landscape Contractors · Florence Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Newport News Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Omaha Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Edison Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures
PRO
Yardvaark
12 years ago
OK Jim, your wife is correct in that it looks terrible so the question becomes, why don't you hate the look, too?!!

It's not possible to tell from the picture, but you might do some exploratory digging to see if it's the case that the metal edging was installed, and is being used as a retaining edging to keep the flagstones from migrating away from the path. It looks like the edging may be sticking up in places, but continuing underground, unseen in those areas where it appears absent. At any rate, if it's being used as a retainer for the walk stones, then it should have been installed just a little below their surface so that it was/is completely unseen. If that's the case then I'd consider re-setting it and making it that way. After 20 years age, though, depending on its condition, it might be best to use a new, easier to install edging. You may determine for one reason or another that the walk does not need the edging (depending on how it's built, the thickness of the stones, its base, etc. -- which we cannot see any of ... or plans for a new walk) then it can be removed.
Haselsmasher
Original Author
12 years ago
Yardvaark:

Thanks so much. I wouldn't know "looks terrible" if it came up and bit me - in any aspect of my life. I hate it because the cap looks awful (ripped in places) and I hate dealing with it. Even I, though, think it would be better if it was out.

My hunch is that it the walk will hold together find without the edging. It's kind of sounding like what I could do is take it out. And then if the walk obviously needs something to hold it together, then look at putting something else in. Either one of those scenarios sounds better than leaving it as is.

Thanks so much!

Jim
alameda/zone 8/East Texas
12 years ago
You might consider planting something that would cover it - lirope, dwarf boxwood, flowering annuals.......???