Not Brick, Not Pavers: The Rustic Driveway Edging Idea To Consider

If you have a driveway out the front of your home, adding edging is a great way to define the area, add your own aesthetic flair, and create a welcoming feel. However, driveway edging is way more than just for looks, as it can protect your lawn from vehicle damage, prevent erosion, and keep driveway materials on the driveway. Super important if your driveway is gravel! There are so many sleek and attractive driveway edging materials to pick from, and bricks and pavers are popular choices. However, these edging materials can get expensive and do require a lot of maintenance. Plus, they may simply not suit the aesthetic you are after. If you want a rustic, whimsical look for the front of your home, there is a fabulous driveway edging material to consider — logs. 

Using logs as driveway edging is perfect if you are looking for that natural, slightly wild look for your home. The result often doesn't look as defined and clean as other driveway border ideas, but this can actually be a good thing if you lean towards organic shapes and styles. Like other options, the logs will define your driveway and create a barrier for your lawn to save it from damage. Over time, the logs will start to decompose and improve the quality of the soil, which is perfect if you have landscaping in your lawn at the front of your house. Mushrooms and mosses may grow on the decaying wood, too, bringing more fairy cottage vibes to your home. 

If you want to use logs to create driveway edging, you first need to get your hands on some timber. If you have cut down trees in your yard recently, you already have the materials. If not, you can ask your neighbors and friends or purchase some firewood to use. You can use loads of types of wood of different sizes and shapes for your driveway edging, so you may want to get creative with what you have and what you can reuse. Once you have your logs, it is time to plan out how you will lay them. You could place them upright for a more uniform look, or you could place them sideways, laying them down to create a driftwood-esque appearance. 

To install your log driveway edging, dig a small trench between your driveway and the lawn about half of the log's height. If you are laying your logs, consider the shape when digging the trench. Then, place the logs in the trench and fill in any gaps with soil. Of course, you can simply place the logs down for your edging without digging a trench, but this will help them stay in place and mean you avoid gaps if you are laying long bits of log with irregular shapes. 

Your log edging will decay over time, but you can apply a wood preservative to it to help it last a little longer. How long the decaying will take depends on the type of logs you are using and your climate, but know that, as it decays, it is supporting your garden's ecosystem and wildlife. A win-win for everyone!