Steel Garden Edging Height Guide

All profiles come in one standard length of 2400mm.

The Difference Between a Tidy Garden Bed and a Project That Does Not Quite Hit The Mark.

For homeowners in Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, the local climate, soil types, and garden style all play a part in this decision. Whether you are working with the heavy clay soils, sandy loam or the coastal salt conditions of Mornington Peninsula, the height of your edging influences how well it performs over time. This article breaks down the most common profile heights available and what they are best suited for in local gardens.

Garden Edging Supplies delivers only to Melbourne metro and the Mornington Peninsula, so the products we discuss are available right where you live. Our Redcor brand edging, made in Melbourne from BlueScope steel, comes in a range of heights to match different garden applications. Understanding which height works where helps you get the job done right the first time.

Why Profile Height Matters in Local Gardens

The visible height of your garden edging determines how much material it can hold back and how clearly it defines the edge of a bed. For lawns that meet garden beds, a lower profile keeps grass from creeping into the soil without dominating the view. Taller profiles become small retaining walls, holding back mulch, soil, or decorative pebbles. In the Mornington Peninsula, where gardens often face strong coastal winds, a taller edge can help keep lighter materials like bark mulch in place.

Soil conditions across Melbourne and the Peninsula vary. Frankston and parts of the Mornington Peninsula have heavy clay that drains slowly, so deeper edging may be needed to create a stable boundary. Mount Eliza and areas with sandy loam drain quickly, and a lower profile often works perfectly to separate lawn from garden beds. Coastal salt can accelerate corrosion on lesser steels, but corten steel develops a stable patina that resists rust through

Available Profile Heights and What They Do

The table below compares the most widely available profile heights, 100mm, 150mm, 185mm, 230mm, 290mm, 390mm and 590mm, with their typical uses and key benefits. Use it as a quick reference when you are planning your garden layout.

Detailed Look at Each Profile Height

100mm – The Grass Divider

A 100mm profile height is the go-to choice for a clean grass divider. It sits low enough to allow a lawn mower to pass over the top while keeping soil and mulch inside the garden bed. In residential settings this height is often used along driveways, footpaths, and narrow borders. The visible portion above ground is approximately 70mm after burying the bottom edge to cover the galvanised screws, which is sufficient to stop most grass runners from creeping into the bed. For a low-key, neat finish without a hard edge, 100mm is the most practical option.

150mm – Standard Garden Bed Edging

A 150mm profile height is considered the standard for most garden bed applications. It provides a moderate barrier that contains mulch and soil while still looking slim and elegant. After burying minimum 30mm the height, around 120mm remains visible, which is enough to define the edge clearly. This height works well for front gardens, side strips, and around trees. It is also a good choice if you plan to plant low-growing shrubs or groundcovers that will eventually soften the edge. Redcor edging in 150mm is one of the most popular sizes for Melbourne homeowners and landscapers alike.

185mm – Deeper Beds and Mounded Gardens

When you have a slightly deeper garden bed or want to mound soil for plants that need good drainage, the 185mm profile height gives you extra capacity. The visible height after installation is typically around 150mm, which holds more soil than the 150mm option without being overly tall. This size is useful for creating layered planting areas where the back of the bed sits higher than the front. It also works well around raised tree rings where you need a bit more depth to accommodate root spread. For many Mornington Peninsula gardens with sandy soil that needs built-up beds, 185mm strikes a good balance.

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Medium Heights – Raised Beds and Gentle Slopes

Once you move into medium profile heights, the edging starts to do more than just separate – it begins to retain soil and manage slight changes in level. These sizes are still suitable for DIY installation, especially with Redcor’s pre-drilled system and durable stakes.

230mm – Raised Beds and Slight Slopes

A 230mm profile height is ideal for creating a visible raised garden bed that stands above ground level. After burying 30-50mm you get approximately 180-200mm of visible retaining wall, which is enough to hold a good depth of soil for vegetables, flowers, or small shrubs. This height also works well on gentle slopes where you need to terrace the ground into flat planting areas. The 230mm size can handle minor changes in elevation while keeping installation simple. It is a popular choice for backyard vegetable gardens on the Mornington Peninsula where homeowners want a structured, tidy look.

290mm – Retaining and Terracing

The 290mm profile height steps up to more serious retaining duties. It is suited for terracing moderate slopes and creating deeper raised beds. The visible height after installation is around 230-250mm, which provides a solid barrier to hold back soil on tiered gardens. If your property has a gentle incline that you want to turn into multiple flat levels, 290mm edging can form the front face of each terrace. This height also works for planting larger shrubs and small trees because the extra depth gives roots room to spread. Redcor edging in 290mm is robust enough for these applications while still being manageable for a DIY team.

Tall Heights – Statement Features and Retaining Walls

Tall profile edging is used when you need a substantial retaining structure or a bold visual statement. These sizes require careful installation, often with additional bracing or deeper foundations, but the result is a durable, long-lasting garden feature.

A 390mm profile height delivers a significant raised bed that can double as a low retaining wall. With roughly 330-350mm visible above ground, it creates a commanding edge that clearly defines different garden zones. This height is suitable for building raised beds for large vegetables, flowers, or decorative grasses. It can also retain soil on a steeper slope where a lower profile would not hold. Because the edging is taller, it is important to use the correct stake spacing and possibly concrete footings depending on your soil type. Redcor’s 390mm corten steel edging is made from thicker material to withstand the extra pressure.

590mm – Statement Retaining Walls

The 590mm profile height is the tallest standard option and is used for substantial retaining walls that need to hold back a significant amount of soil. This size is not just edging – it is a structural wall. It works on steep slopes, creek banks, or where you want to create a dramatic change in level. The visible height after installation is around 500-520mm depending on burial depth, making it a striking design element in any garden. Redcor offers this profile in heavy-gauge steel to provide the necessary strength. For Mornington Peninsula properties with challenging topography, this height is the ultimate solution.

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Installation Tips for Different Heights

No matter which height you choose, proper installation is key to getting a long-lasting result. For low profiles up to 150mm, you can usually dig a shallow trench, place the edging, and backfill. For taller profiles, especially those above 230mm, you will need to dig a deeper trench to bury a significant portion of the edging for stability. 

Always check the total height of the edging including any integrated spikes or stakes. The “profile height” you see listed is typically the total height of the steel strip, but you may need to bury a minimum of 30mm to cover the galvanised screws. A common rule of thumb is to bury one-third to one-half of the total height, depending on the soil type and the weight of the material being retained. For sandy or loose soils, you may need to bury more.

If you are installing 2mm edging and require corners in your installation, pre-formed corner pieces will need to be purchased. Using corner pieces designed for the system will give you a cleaner finish than trying to bend straight lengths.

For step-by-step guidance on how to install your edging, check out our installation guide. It includes photos, tips for cutting on-site and videos.

Learn How To Install

Australian-Made Quality: BlueScope Steel

Every piece of Redcor edging we sell is manufactured from BlueScope steel. BlueScope is Australia’s leading steelmaker, with a reputation for producing consistent, high-strength steel that meets rigorous Australian standards. By using BlueScope steel, we ensure that your garden edging will not suffer from the inconsistencies found in imported corten substitutes. The steel is sourced locally, processed locally, and delivered locally, which also reduces our carbon footprint compared to imported products.

10 Year Structural Guarantee

We stand behind the quality of our Redcor edging with a 10-year structural guarantee. That means if the steel fails due to a manufacturing defect within ten years of purchase, Shapescaper will replace it. This guarantee does not cover cosmetic changes like the rust patina, which is a natural and desirable feature, but it does cover any issues with the steel’s structural integrity. It is Shapescaper way of showing that they believe in the product they make and we sell.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best height for separating lawn from garden beds?

A profile height of 100mm is generally the best choice for lawn-to-bed separation. It is low enough to be unobtrusive but clearly defines the boundary. If you want a slightly more visible edge, 150mm also works well and gives you a bit more depth for burying.

Can I use 590mm edging for a small garden bed?

While you can use 590mm edging for a small bed, it is usually overkill unless you need to retain a significant amount of soil. The cost and installation effort are much higher than for lower profiles. For most home gardens, 150mm to 290mm is more practical.

Do I need to buy stakes separately?

Redcor kits include stakes and connectors, saving you that extra purchase.

How thick should the steel be for a 390mm tall edge?

For a tall profile like 390mm, a thickness of 2mm is recommended to handle the soil pressure. A 1.6mm thickness may bow over time, especially if the soil is heavy or the edge is long. Redcor edging is available in 2mm thickness to suit taller profiles.

Can I bend corten steel edging to form curves?

Yes, all corten steel edging profiles can be bent to form sweeping curves. 

Choosing the right corten steel garden edging profile height comes down to understanding what your garden needs, whether that is a simple lawn edge, a deep planting bed, or a substantial retaining wall. By matching the height to the job, selecting quality materials like Australian-made Redcor with its pre-drilled kits, Shapescaper 10-year guarantee, you set yourself up for a tidy, long-lasting finish that will improve your outdoor space for years to come.

Maintenance of Corten Steel Edging

One of the biggest advantages of rusted garden edging is how little maintenance it requires.

Simple Maintenance Tips:

• Occasionally check alignment
• Remove debris build-up
• Allow natural patina to develop (no painting required)

Unlike timber or painted finishes, corten edging improves in appearance over time.