Landscape edging

[sha]

hi, we are considering putting in landscape edging around our raised plots to keep the weeds out of the plots but i wonder if the plastic might leach as we are growing edibles. does anyone have insight into this?

 

[Sean Regan]

You can't beat brick for any sort of edging.

Mine's been down over fifteen years. Features and a long border.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Edging strikes me as just the sort of thing which might be made from re-cycled plastic, which is much more likely to leach. I think you are much more at risk from food products stored and sold in plastics, the chance of the leach migrating far through the soil and being picked up in any quantity by the plants seems slim, but why take chances? You have got me wondering about garden water butts and compost bins now. However, for edging there are other products as Sean points out. Something else that might work well would be concrete roof tiles. On end they are narrow, reasonably deep, interlock, and with a smear of cement between then would make a good root barrier. They are usually available second hand at a reasonable price as well.

 

[sha]

You can't beat brick for any sort of edging.

Mine's been down over fifteen years. Features and a long border.

View attachment 92507

hi sean, thank you for the suggestion. your brick edging looks beautiful! i will definitely bear that in mind.

 

[sha]

Edging strikes me as just the sort of thing which might be made from re-cycled plastic, which is much more likely to leach. I think you are much more at risk from food products stored and sold in plastics, the chance of the leach migrating far through the soil and being picked up in any quantity by the plants seems slim, but why take chances? You have got me wondering about garden water butts and compost bins now. However, for edging there are other products as Sean points out. Something else that might work well would be concrete roof tiles. On end they are narrow, reasonably deep, interlock, and with a smear of cement between then would make a good root barrier. They are usually available second hand at a reasonable price as well.

hi oliver, possible leaching is why we opted not to get a plastic compost bin especially as composting generates heat. the edging is for our small community garden which has 15 plots so i think there is a chance some leaching will get into our plots. i will check out the concrete roof tiles. thank you!