Not Brick, Not Pavers: The Driveway Edging Idea To Add Visual Interest To Your Yard

Choosing the right driveway edging is important not just for how it can boost curb appeal, but also for how it impacts drainage and stops weeds and grass from encroaching in this heavily used space. Bricks and pavers are popular and can look very smart, but they can be challenging to install well. An alternative that can add visual interest to your yard, while also providing good drainage and weed control, is to use a combination of gravel and stone. Let's look at the idea in a bit more detail.

There are numerous stone landscaping designs that require little upkeep and add charm to your outdoor space. We can borrow from those principles to create driveway edging that is versatile, cost-effective, and eco-friendly. Gravel is usually a fraction of the price of bricks or pavers, and unlike concrete, it is a naturally sourced, sustainable material. The same is true of stones and rocks.

You'll need to dig a trench about 4 inches deep and 6 to 12 inches wide, depending on the appearance you're going for (more on this in a moment). Lining the bottom with landscape fabric or more eco-friendly burlap can help prevent weed growth, but seeds will set in the gravel from time to time anyway, so you just need to pluck them out. It's a good idea to fit plastic or metal edging along the lawn side of your trench to keep the border neat.

Next, fill the trench with gravel and add rocks. There are a couple of ways to do this. If you like the visual appeal of river rocks, for example, you could fill most of the trench with gravel, which is cheaper, and top off with the rocks. There are numerous types of gravel to consider that offer their own aesthetic, so you could fill the trench with gravel, level it with a rake or by hand, then strategically place feature rocks. You can use those with a smooth surface for a Zen-style border or angular chunks for a more contemporary look. If you like this kind of driveway edging, a 12-inch trench, or possibly even wider, gives you more space to be creative.