How To Install Landscape Edging Bricks – Step By Step
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Landscape edging, also commonly referred to as lawn edging or garden edging, is an important horticultural task for all home/garden owners, as it is one of the first steps that plays a vital role in your landscape design plan.

Brick edging can add a great aesthetic to your property.
This task is easily overlooked by many homeowners, but a beautiful lawn/garden is what awaits the few who take the time to edge their lawn with landscape edging bricks.
Many people believe that landscape edging is either difficult or expensive, and this is the reason why people don’t edge their lawns to separate the grass from walkways or fine areas.
But it’s good that you’re reading this, because you’ll learn how to install edging bricks yourself and save a lot of money at the same time.
Are Bricks The Best Landscape Edging Material?
This is one of the questions people ask frequently, because everyone wants to choose the best material that’s both durable and effective.
But you’ll never know until you get some basic knowledge about the landscape edging materials available to you. Here are a few things you need to know about each of them:
1. Plastic Landscape Edging
Plastic is both lightweight and cheap, and is one of the most used landscape edging materials.
Its flexibility is one feature that gives landscapers the allowance to make mistakes and correct their mistakes; this makes plastic a good landscape edging material for both rookies and veteran landscapers.
2. Metal Landscape Edging
Metal is a landscape edging material that doesn’t give novices room to make mistakes – it is solid and is the most difficult type of landscape edging to install.
This landscape material is also very expensive, but you’ll certainly enjoy its long-term benefits if you decide to follow through.
3. Stone Landscape Edging
Stone landscape edging can be inexpensive or expensive, depending on your choice of stone. This landscape edging material is one that requires specialized techniques to work with, but it is not as difficult to install as metal.
One prominent disadvantage of stone is its lack of ability to control the growth of grass around it.
4. Brick Landscape Edging
Brick is a landscape edging material that is easy to install, durable, and economical. It can be used to make walls, walkways, and paths.
Installing landscape edging bricks is easy, but extensive labor is required, so you’ll have to be committed and dedicated to the process if you want to enjoy the benefits.
How To Install Landscape Edging Bricks
To install landscape edging bricks, you’ll need:
- a rake
- cement
- rubber
- trowel
- building sand
Do you have all these? If yes, let’s get into the installation details:
Step 1: Mix Some Cement
You’ll certainly find this process easy if you’re really good at mixing cement, but you’ll also learn quickly if mixing cement is not what you’re good at. So here’s how it’s done super quick and easy:
- Mix some cement and sand (ratio 4:1) with water until it’s thick.
- It shouldn’t be too dry nor should it be too runny.
- Mixing should be done on an old piece of board.
Step 2. Spread and Press

Cement is needed for this method.
Do you know how to spread butter over bread? Yup! Everyone knows how to spread butter onto his/her slice of bread, and this second step is as simple as making breakfast. Here’s what to do:
- Remove grass (dig 3 inches deep) from the area where you want to install the bricks.
- Spread cement over the section in which you wish to edge with bricks.
- Sit the bricks on the cement mixture.
- Push the bricks into the cement mixture or tap with a mallet.
- Tap with a mallet until all bricks are even.
Step 3. The Finishing
The finishing is pretty simple: all you will have to do is rake border soil up and wait until the cement has solidified.
This may take just a few days and that’s all, you’ve installed landscape edging bricks successfully!
The Alternative Landscape Edging Bricks Installation Method
There are two different ways you can choose to install landscape edging bricks. The first method is the one above, and the following method is the alternative method. Here’s how it’s done:
- Decide and mark where you will want to place the bricks.
- Excavate the marked area (not more than 4 inches deep).
- Level the excavated area by pulling or pushing dirt with a garden hoe.
- Pour and level with 2 inches of sand.
- Place the bricks.
- Fill cracks with sand.
- All gaps at the edges should be filled with topsoil.
Installing Patio Bricks
This is a simple process, but you’ll have to pay attention to details if you want to be successful. Are you ready? Let’s go.
Step 1: Measure and Mark
Choose an area where you want to install patio bricks, and then measure and mark the area with mason line and stakes.
Step 2: Dig The Marked Area
Dig the marked area (8 inches deep). Remember to slope the soil away from the house to 1/8-1/4 inch per foot to provide drainage.
Step 3: Add Crushed Stone
You should consider adding crushed stone to the excavated area. The crushed stone should be poured to a depth of 4 inches and must be leveled properly.
Step 4: Brick Installation
For a visual, see this helpful video:
Brick should be installed along the patio’s perimeter and landscape fabric should be laid over the stone.
Two inches of sand must be added over the landscape fabric. Level & water the sand after this and wait for a day.
Step 5: Lay Patio Bricks
Lay patio bricks and push into the sand in a way that you alternate between vertical and horizontal bricks. Keep doing this until your desired result is achieved. Use masonry sand and a broom to fill gaps.
Conclusion
Now you know what landscape edging is all about, and you also know the different materials you can choose for landscape edging. Brick is arguably the best material for landscape edging, so go get some and start the installation process with this guide.
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Remember that if you want to ensure that your installation is done correctly, you should consult and/or hire an expert. This article is only a general guide. If you want some interesting landscaping edging ideas, you can check out our other article here.
You have all the knowledge you need. Now it’s time to get out there and execute. Good luck!
Hi Scott, this is really helpful, but I have a question. How can I lay patio bricks of different shapes in an efficient manner? I’ve been struggling with this a bit and I wanted to get your thoughts. Thank you!
I would start by putting 1-2 inches of sand down. Then, start laying the bricks, staggering them and offsetting them so that the previous row is split with the next row. The seams will not be in a precise row, and settling will be prevented. Someone actually asked this very same question on Quora – you can check out the answers here. Thanks for visiting the site!
I needed a general outline of how to do this, and your article was a great help. I learned a few things that I didn’t know before. And my edging project turned out great – no landscaper needed!
Hey Mary, glad to hear it! If you have any questions, I’ll do my best to help.