Poly Board Edging Installation Guide for Artificial Turf

A beautiful artificial lawn starts with the right foundation. Most homeowners focus on choosing the perfect grass texture and color, but they forget about one simple thing that holds everything together. Poly board edging, also known as poly board landscape edging, creates clean borders and prevents your turf from falling apart over time. Without it, your base materials spread out, weeds creep in, and your lawn develops bumps and dips. Learning the proper installation steps protects your investment and keeps your yard looking sharp for years.

What is Poly Board Edging?

Poly board edging is a bendable plastic strip that creates borders around lawns and gardens. People also call it a bender board. These strips usually measure about 1 inch thick and 4 inches tall. You can buy them in different lengths, with 20-foot sections being the most common size.

Different types exist depending on what you need. Some boards are made from recycled plastic, while others mix plastic with wood fibers for extra strength. A few versions even have a wood core wrapped in protective plastic. Each kind handles weather and soil differently, so pick one that matches your local climate.

Why Use Poly Board Edging for Artificial Turf?

The edging holds your turf’s foundation in place. Under your artificial turf, there’s crushed rock and sand that help with drainage and keep things stable. Without proper edging, this base material slowly spreads out and washes away. Your lawn starts sinking and looking uneven.

Poly board lawn edging stops weeds from growing into your lawn from nearby garden beds. It draws a sharp line between your lawn and things like walkways or flower beds, wood edging rots, and metal edging rusts. Quality poly board lasts 10 to 20 years and barely needs any attention. That clean edge makes your lawn look like a pro installed it instead of looking like you winged it over a weekend.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need for Poly Board Landscape Edging

Get all your tools ready before starting. You’ll need a shovel for digging, a tape measure for checking distances, and a rubber mallet for pounding stakes. A drill with screws attaches stakes to the board. Tin snips or a saw cut the edging to size. Keep a utility knife handy for trimming turf edges and a wheelbarrow for moving dirt around.

For materials, measure around your entire lawn area and add 10% extra for mistakes and cuts. Buy poly board landscape edging that matches your measured length. Pick up landscape stakes too – one for every 3 to 4 feet on straight parts, and more for curves. Get galvanized screws to attach everything. Have your base materials ready, like crushed rock or road base for drainage. Quality artificial grass products require solid preparation, so don’t skip on getting the right foundation materials.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Poly Board Edging

Follow these steps carefully to ensure your poly board edging is secure and provides a lasting, clean border for your artificial turf.

Outline the Project Area and Call for Safety

Mark your installation area with spray paint or string. You’ll see exactly how the final shape looks, and it’s easier to keep your lines straight and your curves flowing. Call 811 before digging to mark underground lines. They do it for free and prevent dangerous accidents.

Prepare the Foundation by Digging a Trench

Dig a trench along your marked line about 3.5 inches deep. The 4-inch board should stick up slightly above ground level. Make the outer wall of your trench as straight up and down as possible. This wall supports your edging and keeps it from tilting.

Set the Poly Board Edging in Place

Place the poly board lawn edging into the trench and press it firmly against the vertical wall. For curves, bend the board gently to follow your design. Having someone help makes this much easier, especially on tight turns.

Anchor the Edging Firmly with Stakes

Drive stakes into the ground on the outside of the board. Space them every 3 to 4 feet on straight sections and closer on curves. Stakes should sit slightly below the top of the edging. Use two galvanized screws to attach each stake to the board.

Backfill and Secure the Installation

Now comes the most important part: backfilling. Use the dirt you removed to fill in behind the edging. Pack it down firmly as you go. That packed dirt acts like a buttress – it keeps the board from moving around. Take your time with this part – good packing keeps your edging stable for years.

Lay Your Base and Install the Artificial Turf

Add your base material inside the bordered area and install your artificial grass. Crushed gravel provides drainage for landscape projects. Trim the turf edges so they sit flush against the poly board. Secure them with nails about an inch from the edge. People living in hot, dry areas should check out specific tips for artificial grass in Las Vegas to handle extreme heat properly.

Maintenance and Longevity of Poly Board Edging

Quality poly board needs very little care after installation. Check it once a year, each spring, for any sections that shifted during winter. If you see any movement, tap the board back into place with a mallet and add more packed soil behind it.

Keep the edging clear of leaves and overgrown plants. When using string trimmers nearby, watch out so you don’t damage the surface. With simple care, your edging should last 10 to 20 years, depending on the material quality and your local weather.

Creating a Lawn That Lasts

The small details make the biggest difference between a lawn that looks great and one that falls apart. Poly board edging doesn’t sound like much, but it’s what keeps everything in place. Get the installation right and check on it once a year. That’s really all it takes. Spending extra time up front means no expensive fixes down the road, and the turf stays level and nice-looking for twenty years or more.

Poly Board Edging for Artificial Turf: How to Install one?