I love keeping my garden neat and low-maintenance, and one of the best things I ever did was install lawn edging stones myself. They’ve made mowing so much easier and saved me a ton of time I used to spend trimming edges or pulling grass out of the flower beds. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how I laid the stones step by step, what tools and materials I used, and a few tips I picked up along the way. Whether you’re planning a curved border or a clean straight edge, I’ve got you covered.
Lawn edging stones separate lawn and flower beds, making mowing easier. Here are some practical tips for laying lawn edging stones yourself.
A lush lawn should grow and spread naturally—but not into adjacent beds where it might crowd other plants. That’s why lawn edges need special attention and care. If you don’t want to constantly weed out adventurous grass or keep reshaping the lawn edge, you should consider installing lawn edging stones. It’s a one-time effort that pays off in the long run—after that, you’ll only need to remove the occasional stray blade of grass.
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Why Are Lawn Edging Stones Useful?
Lawn edging stones not only prevent grass from growing into your beds, they are also very practical. When mowing, you can easily run two wheels of the lawnmower over the edging stones, allowing the mower to cut all blades cleanly—no uncut edge left behind.
They’re also perfect for robotic lawnmowers. These robots don’t stop exactly at the boundary wire; depending on the model, they may roll slightly beyond it—by about half the width of the mowing deck. To ensure precise edge mowing, you can lay the induction wire beneath the edging stones. That way, the robot mows close to the edge without venturing into the bed.
Lay the wire in a sand bed under the stones—the signal will still be detected by most robotic mowers through the stones.
What Types of Lawn Edging Stones Are There?
Common edging stones are made of concrete, with rounded edges and interlocking notches—one side has a half-round groove, the other a matching protrusion. This allows the stones to connect like hinges, making it easy to lay curved lines without large gaps.
These stones are often sold as swallowtail stones, lawn edging stones, or mowing edges. Common dimensions include:
- 31.5 x 16 x 5 cm
- 24 x 10 x 4.5 cm
Both are thick enough to stay stable under the weight of petrol lawnmowers once installed correctly.
You can also use granite setts or clinker bricks for a more aesthetic option than the purely functional concrete varieties. However, lay these types of stones in double rows with staggered joints to prevent grass from growing through the gaps. Small stones can shift under foot pressure, so lay granite setts in a concrete bed—which is otherwise only necessary for high-stress areas.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Lay Lawn Edging Stones
- Mark the Path:
Use a string line to outline the future lawn edge—it serves as a guide while laying the stones. For straight edges, wooden boards or paving screed bars work well.
If starting against a wall or paved area, you’ll need to cut off the rounded edge of the first stone using a cutting disc and a stone splitter. - Dig the Trench:
Use a spade to cut into the turf along the string line and dig a trench slightly wider than the edging stones.
Depth = Stone thickness + ~5 cm for bedding. - Prepare the Base:
Level the trench bottom and compact it using a tamper. Add fine gravel or sand as a base layer and smooth it out with a mason’s trowel. - Lay the Stones:
Position the stones along the string line and tap them into place with a rubber mallet.
The top edge of the stones should align with the lawn.
Check alignment with a spirit level.
Ensure no air gaps beneath the stones—they could crack under heavy loads. - Finish the Edges:
Fill the gap between the edging stones and the bed with topsoil to create a seamless transition.
Laying Lawn Edging Stones in Concrete
A concrete base is recommended when the edging stones will bear heavy loads, such as ride-on mowers.
- Instead of sand or gravel, lay the stones in a 5 cm thick bed of damp lean concrete.
- On the bed side, add a concrete back support to anchor the stones firmly.
- On the lawn side, keep the concrete surface level so grass can grow right up to the stones.
If the grass doesn’t have enough soil (and thus water retention), it will turn brown quickly in summer near the edging stones.
My Final Thoughts
Laying lawn edging stones took a bit of effort upfront, but it was absolutely worth it. Since then, maintaining the edges of my lawn has been so much easier, and everything just looks cleaner and more defined. Whether you’re using concrete, granite, or something more decorative, taking the time to install them properly really pays off. I hope my experience helps you get started with your own project—once it’s done, you’ll appreciate how much time and hassle it saves in the long run. Happy gardening!
