Metal edging for lawn and garden has got to be one of the worst inventions ever."safety cap" exposes sharp metal edge underneath I am pretty sure it was the result of extra metal being cut off the ends of projects and then the plant finding a way to sell their scrap for profit. Metal edging is a bad choice for several reasons:

To begin, typical metal edging is too short and too skinny to be effective for either intended use; encroachment or retainment.

Many people feel metal edging will keep grass from encroaching. The idea is that the metal is placed into the ground below the grass line in such a way to keep weed/grass roots from growing past. If metal edging is placed far enough into the ground to help control root movement, the edging will allow your bedding material (mulch, rocks, etc.) to fall over into your grass areas. Also, most metal edging is so thin that roots should have little problem traversing under the slim barrier.

Grass grown approximately one foot past metal edging into flower bed

One would need to purchase and install multiple layers of metal side by side to get the average 7 inch barrier that A Better Edge provides. Others think that placing the metal high enough to contain the bedding material is a good idea for metal edging. This installation method will allow grass and weeds to quickly travel into unwanted spaces and it will leave a sharp piece of thin metal protruding from your lawn. How safe and happy could you feel about an exposed or hidden knife in your yard?

In addition to its poor performance, Susan Casmer, DVM in Colorado springs has this to say about Metal landscape edging: "Metal garden edging, which is designed to not be seen, is often also not seen by dogs. During the winter, when there is snow on the ground, dogs simply can't see the edging. During the summer, when dogs tend to spend more time outdoors, the likelihood of stepping on edging goes up. When dogs step on the metal edging just right, the pads on their paws get cut open. I have to repair damaged pads multiple times per month. This is expensive for the dog owners, because it requires an examination, sedation, stitches, pain medication, and a follow-up appointment to remove stitches. I advise my clients not to use metal lawn edging if at all possible."

wavy lines and materials spilling over on both sidesAnother application we have seen metal edging used for is a pathway border. In Colorado Springs, breeze (crushed rock) pathways are becoming popular. Once the breeze is packed in, it becomes a relatively hard surface for walking and a very nice, natural looking pathway. However, when using metal edging to surround a pathway, homeowners find that the crushed rock in the center will pack down nicely but the metal edging will flex out and not allow the rock to pack well on the outsides. The breeze typically ends up in the grass (or the mulch and vice versa as in the picture above) and becomes a real flying hazard and a pain when mowing or trimming.

In short, metal edging does not live up to its intended use whereas A Better Edge is a permanent application that would allow breeze to be packed right up to the sides of a pathway and is large enough to be a great continuous root barrier.

Happy dog with good feetA Better Edge
does the job its supposed to and looks great while doing it.

Overall, we give metal edging our worst score for performance and durability.

 For more information about metal edging encroaching on your landscape and flower beds, watch this video.

 Additionally, we have found this article to be an eye opener:

"Metal lawn and garden edging in landscaped neighborhoods presents a previously undescribed laceration danger to children. Some lacerations sustained from the metal lawn edging are extensive, receiving either multiple layer closure and/or the need for subspecialty consultation." - Emergency Department, The Children's Hospital, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, USA. rittichier.kristine@hsc.utah.edu