By Lauren HollandUpdated November 2026
Using bricks for landscape edging gives you a durable, good-looking border that separates lawn from beds and holds mulch in place. This guide walks through choosing the right bricks, preparing a trench, setting the course level, and avoiding the mistakes that make brick borders heave or drift. Most of the work is digging and leveling, so take your time on those steps.
Choose the Right Bricks and Layout
Standard clay pavers and solid concrete pavers both work well for edging. Clay bricks have a classic look but can crack under heavy frost, so check that they are rated for freeze-thaw exposure in your area. Concrete pavers are more uniform in size and usually easier to keep straight. Lay the bricks flat or on edge depending on the look you want: flat-laid edging is wider and more stable, while on-edge rows give a lower, subtler line.
Shopping for one? See our guide: 5 Best Menards Landscape Edging Bricks for Clean Lawn Lines (2026).
Prepare the Trench and Base
Mark the border with a garden hose or landscape paint, then dig a trench about 2 inches deeper than the height of one brick. Make it wide enough to fit the brick plus 1 to 2 inches of compacted base material on each side. Add 1 to 2 inches of crushed stone or coarse gravel to the bottom and tamp it firmly with a hand tamper. A solid base is what keeps the border from sinking after the first freeze.
Set the Bricks Level and Straight
Start at one end and set the first brick so its top sits about 1/4 inch above the finished grade. This slight reveal lets mulch and soil sit just below the brick line without spilling over. Use a long straightedge or string line stretched between stakes to keep the course aligned, and check each brick with a level as you go. Set each brick into the base with a rubber mallet, then backfill the outside edge with soil or sand and tamp it so the border resists being pushed outward by the lawn.
Work Through the Curves
Curves need more care than straight runs. For tight arcs, set bricks on edge with a small gap or cut pavers with a masonry saw so they fit the radius. Keep joints between bricks consistent, roughly 1/8 inch, and check the curve from above before you move on.
Finish the Border
Once every brick is set, sweep fine sand or polymeric sand into the joints to lock the course together and discourage weeds. Water lightly to settle the sand. Then backfill the lawn side with topsoil so the grass edge meets the brick cleanly. Give the border a day or two before walking along it heavily so the base can settle.
Recommended gear
A rubber mallet lets you tap bricks into position without chipping their edges.
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A long aluminum straightedge helps you keep the course aligned over several feet at a time.
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A hand tamper compacts the gravel base so the bricks stay put over time.
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Common Mistakes
- Skipping the gravel base, which lets the bricks sink and shift within a season.
- Setting bricks at or below grade, so mulch and soil spill over the edge.
- Leaving joints too wide, which lets grass roots and weeds grow through.
- Failing to backfill the outside edge, so the lawn pushes the course outward.
- Installing during wet or frozen ground, which makes compaction and leveling much harder.
For more on comparing edging materials before you commit, see What Are the Best Options for Landscape Edging? 7 Choices Compared. If you prefer a faux look, Fake Brick Landscape Edging: 5 Best Picks for Clean Garden Borders covers lighter alternatives.
FAQ
How deep should I dig for brick edging?
Dig about 2 inches deeper than the height of one brick, then add a 1 to 2 inch gravel base. This gives you room to set the brick with its top slightly above grade.
Do I need mortar for landscape edging bricks?
No. Landscape edging generally sets on a compacted gravel base with sand or polymeric sand in the joints, which allows slight movement without cracking.
How long does a brick edging border last?
Durability depends on the brick material, base preparation and climate. A well-built border with a proper gravel base can hold its line for many years, but freeze-thaw cycles and poor drainage shorten its life. Consult a local landscape professional if your soil is unusually wet or unstable.
Conclusion
Using bricks for landscape edging rewards careful base preparation and patient leveling. Set a firm gravel foundation, keep the course aligned, and backfill and sand the joints so the border stays put. With those steps done, your lawn lines will stay clean for seasons to come.
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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.
