Understanding Landscape Edging: In-Depth Blog
If you’ve ever admired a professionally designed landscape, you’ve likely noticed the clean, defined lines that separate different elements—grass from flower beds, pathways from lawns, or driveways from gardens. These crisp transitions don’t happen accidentally; they result from professional landscape edging.
In this comprehensive blog article, I’ll explore the various landscape edging options available in Colorado Springs and surrounding counties, focusing on concrete edging and other services we offer at A Better Edge. As a Colorado-based landscape edging specialist serving communities within an 80-mile radius of Colorado Springs, I’ve seen firsthand how the proper edging can transform an ordinary yard into an extraordinary outdoor living space.
Why Landscape Edging Matters in Colorado’s Unique Climate
Colorado’s distinct four-season climate presents unique challenges for landscaping. With hot, dry summers, cold winters, and potentially dramatic temperature fluctuations, landscape materials must be exceptionally durable. Concrete has become the preferred edging material for many Colorado homeowners and businesses.
Concrete edging offers several advantages in our climate:
- It withstands freeze-thaw cycles without cracking or heaving
- It maintains its appearance despite intense UV exposure
- It resists erosion during heavy rain or snowmelt
- It provides decades of service with minimal maintenance
Over the years, our blog has featured numerous success stories from clients throughout El Paso, Douglas, Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe, and Pueblo counties who have discovered the benefits of professionally installed concrete edging.
The True Cost of Quality Landscape Edging
When considering landscape edging, it’s essential to understand the investment involved. While cheaper options exist, professional concrete edging provides exceptional value over time. Here’s what you can expect to invest in different edging types:
| Edging Type | Material Cost (per linear foot) | Professional Installation (per linear foot) | Expected Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic/Vinyl | $2-$12 | $4-$10 | 1-5 years |
| Metal | $16-$30 | $10-$20 | 10-20 years |
| Wood | $6-$40 | $10-$20 | 3-10 years |
| Stone/Brick | $16-$70 | $36-$100 | 30+ years |
| Concrete | $14-$30 | $20-$40 | 25+ years |
While concrete edging may not be the least expensive option initially, but its durability makes it more economical. As we often discuss in our blog, quality concrete edging can last 25+ years with minimal maintenance, making it a wise investment for Colorado properties.
Our Core Landscape Services in Colorado Springs and Beyond
1. Concrete Edging: The Foundation of Landscape Design
Concrete edging forms the backbone of many of our landscape projects. Using specialized equipment, we create seamless, continuous concrete borders that define and separate different areas of your landscape. This technique has been featured extensively in our blog, with posts detailing the process and showcasing completed projects throughout the Pike’s Peak region.
The process involves:
- Careful preparation of the installation path
- Precise grading to ensure proper drainage
- Mixing concrete to the perfect consistency
- Extruding the concrete through a specialized machine
- Finishing the surface for a professional appearance
- Optional color mixing for aesthetic enhancement
2. Concrete Flagstone: Natural Beauty with Concrete Durability
Concrete flagstone offers the perfect solution for those who love the look of natural stone but desire more excellent durability and lower maintenance. This innovative approach to hardscaping has become increasingly popular among our Colorado Springs clients and has been highlighted in several of our blog articles.
Concrete flagstone provides:
- The organic, irregular appearance of natural stone
- Superior durability against Colorado’s intense weather
- Lower cost compared to natural stone
- Consistent thickness for easier Installation
- Customizable colors to match your landscape design
3. Concrete Pathways: Connecting Your Landscape Elements
Pathways do more than provide functional access to different areas of your property—they guide the eye through your landscape design and create a sense of journey and discovery. Our concrete pathway solutions have been featured regularly on our blog, showcasing innovative designs from modern to rustic.
“A well-designed pathway doesn’t just connect two points—it creates an experience, inviting visitors to slow down and appreciate your landscape.” This philosophy guides our approach to pathway design throughout Colorado.
We offer several concrete pathway styles:
- Stamped concrete pathways with natural stone patterns
- Concrete paver pathways with various laying patterns
- Brushed concrete for clean, contemporary designs
- Exposed aggregate for texture and slip resistance
- Custom-colored concrete to complement your home’s exterior
4. Concrete Walls: Structure with Style
Retaining walls solve elevation challenges while creating visual interest and usable space. As documented in our blog, our concrete wall solutions have transformed sloped properties throughout El Paso, Teller, and Douglas counties into functional, beautiful landscapes.
Our concrete wall offerings include:
- Cast-in-place concrete walls for maximum strength
- Concrete block retaining systems with decorative faces
- Stacked stone-look concrete systems
- Tiered wall designs that create planting pockets
- Integrated seating walls for entertainment areas
5. Commercial Landscape Services: Enhancing Business Properties
Professional landscape edging benefits commercial properties tremendously, creating an impression of attention to detail and quality that positively reflects on your business. Our blog has featured numerous commercial projects throughout Colorado Springs, Monument, Castle Rock, and Denver, demonstrating how appropriate edging enhances property value and attracts customers.
Commercial landscape services we provide include:
- Large-scale concrete edging for corporate campuses
- Commercial-grade pathways for public spaces
- Decorative concrete features for brand enhancement
- Durable solutions for high-traffic areas
- Snow-resistant designs for year-round functionality
6. Specialty Concrete Features: Unique Touches for Your Landscape
Beyond basic landscape edging, we create custom concrete features that add personality and functionality to outdoor spaces. These specialty items have been highlighted in our blog’s project showcases from properties in Woodland Park, Black Forest, Falcon, and beyond.
Popular specialty concrete features include:
- Fire pit surrounds and outdoor fireplaces
- Water feature borders and pond edging
- Tree rings and planter borders
- Custom steps and entryways
- Decorative concrete accents
The Benefits of Professional Landscape Edging Installation
While DIY landscape edging might seem appealing for budget-conscious homeowners, professional Installation offers significant advantages, as we’ve discussed in numerous blog articles:
- Precision and consistency: Professional equipment creates uniform edges with perfect curves and transitions.
- Proper preparation: Professional installers understand the importance of proper base preparation and drainage considerations.
- Material expertise: We can recommend the best edging material for your specific landscape conditions and aesthetic preferences.
- Efficiency: Professionals can complete what might take a homeowner several weekends in a day or less.
- Long-term results: Properly installed edging stays in place and maintains its appearance for decades.
Concrete Edging: A County-by-County Guide to Our Service Area
Our landscape edging services extend throughout the Colorado Springs metropolitan area and beyond, covering numerous counties within an 80-mile radius. Here’s a look at some of the communities we serve:
El Paso County
As our home base, El Paso County represents the heart of our service area. From the urban settings of Colorado Springs to the suburban developments in Monument and the rural properties in Black Forest, our blog has featured concrete edging projects across diverse landscapes throughout the county.
Douglas County
The rapidly growing communities of Douglas County, including Castle Rock, Parker, and Highlands Ranch, have embraced concrete edging to enhance property values and create distinctive landscapes. Our blog has showcased numerous projects in this area, highlighting how concrete edging complements contemporary and traditional home designs.
Denver County
Urban properties in Denver present unique landscape challenges, with limited space requiring creative solutions. Our concrete edging helps maximize these smaller areas by creating clear definitions between functional spaces. Recent blog articles have demonstrated how professional edging can transform even modest urban yards.
Jefferson County
From Conifer to Golden, Jefferson County’s varied topography often necessitates retaining walls and creative grading solutions. Our blog has featured projects throughout Jefferson County where concrete edging and walls have helped tame challenging slopes and create usable outdoor living spaces.
Arapahoe County
The established neighborhoods of Arapahoe County have seen numerous landscape renovations featuring our concrete edging. These projects, highlighted in our blog, often involve updating older properties with modern, low-maintenance landscape elements that enhance curb appeal.
Pueblo County
Extending to the southern edge of our service area, Pueblo County properties benefit from concrete edging that withstands the area’s hot, dry summers. Our blog has documented how proper edging helps contain irrigation and reduce water usage in this more arid region.
Seasonal Considerations for Landscape Edging in Colorado
As our blog regularly discusses, timing is an essential consideration for landscape edging installation in Colorado’s variable climate:
- Spring (April-June): This time is ideal for most installations, as the soil is workable but not overly wet. This timing allows new plantings to establish before the summer heat.
- Summer (June-August): Installation continues through summer, though extreme heat may necessitate additional watering of disturbed areas.
- Fall (September-October) is another excellent time for Installation, as cooler temperatures reduce plant stress while soil remains workable.
- Winter (November-March): This season’s availability is limited depending on ground conditions. Frozen soil prevents most installations, though planning and design work continues year-round.
Choosing the Right Edging for Your Specific Landscape
As we’ve explored in depth on our blog, different areas of your landscape may benefit from different edging approaches. Here’s a quick guide to help you consider options for specific applications:
Lawn-to-Garden Borders
Concrete edging creates a permanent barrier that prevents grass from invading garden beds while providing a clean mowing edge. This application is perhaps the most common use of landscape edging and has been featured extensively in our blog.
Pathway Edging
Pathways benefit from defined edges that contain surface materials and guide foot traffic. Concrete edging provides a durable border that maintains its position despite freeze-thaw cycles, as demonstrated in numerous blog case studies throughout our service area.
Driveway Borders
The transition between driveways and adjacent landscaping requires durable edging to withstand vehicle weight and potential impacts. Our blog has showcased how concrete edging provides this durability while enhancing the overall appearance of the property entrance.
Tree Rings and Planter Borders
Circular or curved edging around trees and planters protects these focal points while creating maintenance-friendly boundaries. Our blog features creative applications of concrete edging for these specialized uses throughout Colorado Springs and surrounding communities.
Enhancing Your Landscape with Edging: Design Principles
Our blog emphasizes that edging isn’t merely functional—a key design element that can enhance your overall landscape. Consider these design principles when planning your edging project:
- Complement architectural style: Choose edging that reflects your home’s character. Contemporary homes pair well with clean, straight edging, while traditional homes often benefit from more organic shapes.
- Create visual flow: Use edging to guide the eye through the landscape, creating a natural progression from one area to another.
- Consider scale: The size and prominence of your edging should relate to the scale of your landscape—more significant properties can support more substantial edging. At the same time, smaller spaces may require more subtle solutions.
- Unify through repetition: Using consistent edging throughout your landscape creates a cohesive, professional appearance.
- Contrast for impact: Strategic use of different edging materials can highlight special areas or create intentional transitions between landscape zones.
The Landscape Edging Installation Process: What to Expect
When you choose A Better Edge for your landscape edging, our process follows a proven methodology that ensures exceptional results, as documented throughout our blog:
- Initial consultation: We discuss your goals, assess your property, and recommend appropriate edging solutions.
- Design and planning: We create a detailed plan considering your property’s specific conditions and aesthetic preferences.
- Site preparation: Before Installation, we mark utilities, identify irrigation components, and prepare the installation path.
- Installation: Using specialized equipment, we install your chosen edging with precision and attention to detail.
- Finishing: We ensure proper transitions, restore surrounding areas, and completely clean up the work site.
- Final walkthrough: We review the completed project with you to ensure your satisfaction.
Maintaining Your Landscape Edging Investment
As we regularly emphasize in our blog, proper maintenance extends the life and appearance of your landscape edging:
- Regular inspection: Check periodically for any settling, cracking, or displacement, especially after severe weather events.
- Cleaning: Occasionally clean edging to remove soil, debris, and potential staining from landscape materials.
- Sealing: For certain types of concrete edging, periodic sealing (every 2-3 years) can enhance appearance and longevity.
- Repair: Address any damage promptly to prevent further deterioration.
- Seasonal adjustments: Adjust adjacent soil levels to maintain proper edging height and function.
Conclusion: Transform Your Colorado Landscape with Professional Edging
As explored throughout this blog article, landscape edging provides functional and aesthetic benefits for Colorado properties. From defining space to controlling erosion, from enhancing curb appeal to reducing maintenance, professional concrete edging represents a wise investment in your property’s value and enjoyment of outdoor spaces.
If you’re considering landscape edging for your Colorado Springs area property, we invite you to explore our blog archives for more detailed information on specific applications and techniques. There are case studies, before-and-after transformations, and particular solutions for common landscape challenges.
Ready to enhance your landscape with professional concrete edging? Contact A Better Edge today to schedule a consultation and discover how our services can transform your outdoor space.
The City of Lakewood, Colorado’s Engineering Regulations, Construction Specifications, and Design Standards provide more information.
