Lauren HollandBy Lauren Holland

Updated November 2026

The groundsmart 4 brown roman brick rubber landscape edging 2pk is a flexible rubber border system designed to look like laid masonry while staying easy to bend, cut, and set. In this guide you will learn how to plan the layout, prepare the ground, anchor the edging, and finish the joints so the border stays straight through mowing seasons. Most of the work is measuring and leveling, so a careful first hour pays off for years.

What the Groundsmart Roman Brick Edging Is Good For

Rubber edging in a brown, brick-style profile separates a lawn from a mulch bed, gravel path, or planting area. The Roman brick look suits traditional and cottage-style yards, and the brown color blends with bark mulch and most natural soils. Because the material flexes, it works along gentle curves where rigid stone or metal would kink or crack.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 6 Best Brown Rubber Landscape Edging Options for Clean Lines (2026).

Manufacturers generally describe this type of edging as suitable for stopping grass runners and keeping mulch in place rather than as a structural retaining wall. Keep that expectation in mind: it defines a line, it does not hold back a slope. For a bed that is cut into a steep bank, plan on a different product or a retaining system.

Planning the Layout Before You Dig

Good edging starts on paper, or on the ground with spray paint and a garden hose. Walk the perimeter, decide where the border will sit, and mark it. Leave at least a few inches of clearance between the edge and any plant root zones you want to protect, since trenching close to shrub roots can cause damage.

Mark the Line Clearly

Use a garden hose to shape curves, then trace the hose with landscape marking paint or flour. For straight runs, stretch a mason’s line between two stakes set at the finished height and check it with a level. Curves look best with gradual radii; sharp turns in a flexible product can wrinkle the profile.

Measure Your Material

Measure the total run length, then add 5 to 10 percent for cuts, corners, and mistakes. Count the pieces in the 2-pack and confirm you have enough joining hardware or stakes for the number of segments. Buy a little extra so you can cut around a stubborn root without stopping mid-job.

Tools and Supplies You Will Need

  • Flat spade or edging spade for trenching
  • Garden hose and landscape marking paint
  • Four-foot level and mason’s line with stakes
  • Tape measure
  • Utility knife or hacksaw blade for cutting rubber
  • Rubber mallet for seating the edging
  • Stakes or spikes supplied with the product
  • Landscape fabric (optional, for weed suppression behind the border)
  • Work gloves and knee pads

Step-by-Step Installation

  1. Call before you dig. In the United States, dial 811 at least a few business days before any excavation so utility lines can be marked. Skipping this step is the most serious mistake a DIY installer can make.
  2. Trace the line. Outline the border with paint or flour and step back to confirm the shape from the house and the street.
  3. Cut a trench. Dig a trench roughly as deep as the edging is tall, with the inside wall cut vertically so the piece sits snug. For a typical brick-profile rubber edging, a trench of about 2 to 3 inches deep is common, but check the height listed for your specific product.
  4. Set the first piece. Start at a fixed point such as a corner or a driveway edge. Place the piece in the trench, check it with a level, and make sure the top sits at your target height relative to the lawn.
  5. Anchor with stakes. Drive the supplied stakes through the pre-punched holes at the spacing the manufacturer specifies. Keep the stake heads flush or slightly below the top surface so the mower deck clears them.
  6. Join sections. Overlap or butt pieces according to the joining method in the instructions. Tap the joints together with a rubber mallet until the profile lines up with no visible step.
  7. Cut for corners and curves. Score the rubber with a utility knife on the back side, then bend and cut through. Make angled cuts on the inside of curves so the profile stays continuous.
  8. Backfill and tamp. Pack soil firmly against the outside of the edging and along the base. Water lightly and check that nothing has shifted.

Setting Consistent Height

Run the mason’s line along the top edge and keep it at the same height above grade all the way down the run. Recheck every three or four pieces with the level. Small deviations are easy to fix early and very noticeable once the mulch is in.

Handling Slopes

On a gentle slope, step the edging down in short sections rather than forcing a long straight piece to follow the grade. A visible step at a joint looks more natural than a wavy top line that tracks the slope.

Quick Reference: Installation Checklist

Stage What to Check Done
Before digging 811 utility locate requested [ ]
Layout Line marked, curves smooth, clearance from roots [ ]
Trench Depth matches edging height, inner wall vertical [ ]
Placement Level along full run, top height consistent [ ]
Anchoring Stakes at manufacturer spacing, heads flush [ ]
Finish Joints tight, soil tamped, no visible gaps [ ]

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Skipping the level check. A border that is off by a half inch looks wrong from the street.
  • Trenching too shallow. Pieces that sit on top of the soil heave and lift after the first freeze-thaw cycle.
  • Leaving stake heads proud. Exposed stakes catch mower wheels and can tear the rubber.
  • Forcing sharp curves. Bending the material too tightly causes creasing and gaps at the joints.
  • Ignoring drainage. A solid border can dam water against a bed. Leave a low gap or weep point where runoff needs to exit.
  • Cutting without a plan. Measure twice and mark the cut line on the back side so the visible face stays clean.

Tips for a Cleaner Finished Line

  • Install edging after the bed is graded but before mulch or stone is spread.
  • Keep the top of the border about half an inch below the mower deck height so cut grass is not tossed over the edge.
  • Use a spade to slice the lawn edge cleanly after installation for a crisp line, then edge with a string trimmer or manual edger seasonally.
  • Store leftover pieces flat and out of direct sun so they stay pliable for repairs.
  • Check the line each spring. Frost and settling can push a few pieces out of alignment.
  • Spring-loaded edging spade: A sharp, flat-bladed spade makes a clean vertical trench wall, which is the single biggest factor in a tight fit. View on Amazon
  • Four-foot torpedo level: A longer level catches height differences across a run that a short level misses. View on Amazon
  • Rubber mallet: Seats joints without marring the rubber surface. View on Amazon
  • Landscape marking paint: Lets you lay out curves and check the line from several angles before digging. View on Amazon

FAQ

Is groundsmart 4 brown roman brick rubber landscape edging 2pk easy to install without help?

Most homeowners can install it alone on a short run. Longer runs and slopes are easier with a second person to hold pieces level while you set stakes.

How deep should I dig the trench?

Dig to about the height of the edging so the top sits level with your finished grade. Check the height stated in the product instructions, since profiles vary.

Can I cut the rubber edging with regular scissors?

A utility knife or hacksaw blade gives cleaner results. Score the rubber, bend it, and cut through, rather than trying to shear it in one pass.

Will the edging hold back soil on a slope?

It defines a border and keeps mulch in place, but it is not a retaining wall. Steep banks need a dedicated retaining system.

Do I need landscape fabric behind it?

Fabric helps suppress weeds at the border line but is optional. If you use it, lay it before backfilling and trim it flush with the top of the edging.

How do I keep the edging straight over time?

Inspect it each spring, reset stakes that have loosened, and push any displaced pieces back into line. Consistent stake spacing does most of the work.

Can I use this edging for a curved garden bed?

Yes, within the flexibility of the material. Use gentle, sweeping curves and make angled cuts on the inside of tight bends to keep the profile smooth.

Should I consult a professional before installing?

If your project involves major grading, drainage changes, or work near structures or utilities, consult a licensed landscape contractor or the local utility locate service before proceeding.

Conclusion

A clean, durable border with the groundsmart 4 brown roman brick rubber landscape edging 2pk comes down to planning the layout, trenching to the right depth, and anchoring each section so the top line stays level. Take time with the first few pieces, since they set the reference for everything that follows. Recheck the line each season and the border will keep its crisp appearance for years.

Ready to choose one?

Lauren Holland

About Lauren Holland

Lauren Holland is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our lawn edging & trimming guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.