Caleb MorganBy Caleb Morgan

Updated November 2026

Vigoro landscape edging is a widely sold steel-style border that sets a firm line between your lawn and your beds. Installing it correctly takes a marked path, a few basic tools, and patience with the depth and alignment. This guide walks you through how to install Vigoro landscape edging so the border stays straight, flush with the grass, and stable through mowing season.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather your materials and tools before you touch the soil. Running short halfway through a bed means stopping to rethink the line, which often leads to kinks in the border.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 6 Best Vigoro 100 Ft Heavy Duty No-Dig Plastic Landscape Edgings (2026).

  • Vigoro edging sections, plus the stakes and couplers that came with them
  • A garden hose or spray paint for marking the bed line
  • A flat spade or half-moon edger for trenching
  • A rubber mallet for driving stakes and seating sections
  • A four-foot level and a tape measure

Step-by-Step: How to Install Vigoro Landscape Edging

Work in one continuous run whenever possible. Mark the full route first, then cut and set the border in sections, checking alignment as you go.

  1. Mark the route. Lay a garden hose in the curve you want, or spray-paint the line directly on the turf. Step back and check the shape from several angles before committing.
  2. Cut the sod. Use a flat spade to slice along the marked line, cutting the turf to about 3 inches deep to roughly match the edging height. Lift the sod strip and set it aside.
  3. Dig the trench. Excavate a shallow trench just wide enough for the edging. Remove roots and rocks so the strip sits flat. The top of the edging should land level with, or about half an inch above, the finished grade.
  4. Set the first section. Place the first length in the trench, then check it with a level along its length and across its width. Adjust the soil underneath until it sits plumb and straight.
  5. Drive the stakes. Insert the stakes at the intervals specified in the product instructions, usually along the outside of the border. Tap them down with a rubber mallet until the stake head sits just below the top rim.
  6. Connect the sections. Join each new length with the supplied couplers, keeping the top edges aligned. Recheck with your level at each joint.
  7. Backfill and tamp. Fill the gap on the lawn side with soil, then press it firmly. Replace the sod along the outside edge and water it in.

Handling Curves

Tight curves may need the edging bent gently by hand before setting, so the strip follows the arc without kinking. If a curve is very sharp, shorten the section length so each piece bends less.

Checking the Finished Border

Walk the full length and look for any high spots that would catch the mower wheel. Run a string line alongside the edge to confirm the run stays straight where you want it. Small corrections now are much easier than pulling stakes later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Setting the edging too high, which leaves a lip that scalps the turf when mowing.
  • Skipping the level check, causing a wavy border that looks uneven from the lawn side.
  • Driving stakes too far, which can crack the top rim.
  • Leaving gaps at joints, which let soil and grass roots creep through.
  • Installing in dry, compacted soil that resists the trench and shifts over time.

A sturdy spade makes the trenching step cleaner and faster, especially in clay soil.

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A four-foot level keeps the run straight across long lengths, where a short level can mislead you.

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A rubber mallet drives stakes without damaging the rim of the edging.

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For more on preparing the bed and choosing materials, see Vigoro No-Dig Landscape Edging Kit: A Step-by-Step Install Guide and How to Install Steel Landscape Edging: A Step-by-Step Guide for Straight Lines. If you are weighing other materials, Heavy Duty Plastic Landscape Edging: How to Choose and Install It Right compares a different approach.

FAQ

How deep should Vigoro landscape edging go?

Set the top of the edging level with or just above the finished grade. Bury the base enough that the strip stays upright, following the product instructions for your specific model.

Can I install Vigoro edging without digging a trench?

Some Vigoro products are designed for a no-dig approach, but a shallow trench still produces the cleanest, most stable result. Check the packaging to confirm which method your kit requires.

How do I keep the edging from shifting over time?

Drive stakes at the recommended spacing and backfill firmly with soil. Recheck the line after the first few heavy rains, since settling is most common in the first season.

Conclusion

Mark the route, trench to a consistent depth, and check every section with a level before you backfill. Taking these steps means your Vigoro edging will hold a clean line through mowing and weather. A little extra care at the start saves time on repairs later.

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Caleb Morgan

About Caleb Morgan

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