Buyer’s Guide

Metal Garden Edging in MelbourneAustralian-made steel edging in Redcor® & Galvabond® — SHAPESCAPER® and FormBoss®

Steel garden edging gives you a crisp, permanent line between lawn, beds and paths — and unlike plastic or timber it won’t rot, warp or go brittle in the sun. We stock both major Australian brands in Redcor® weathering steel (the rusted look) and Galvabond® (neutral silver-grey), from 1.6 mm to 2.5 mm, in heights from 75 mm to 200 mm. Pick up from our Bayswater yard or get delivery across Melbourne metro and VIC.

Shop SHAPESCAPER® Shop FormBoss® Call 0456 776 666

After a natural look instead? Browse our timber garden edging. Holding back more than 200 mm of soil? You want a retaining wall, not edging.

Both SHAPESCAPER and Formboss use Australian BlueScope steel and are manufactured in Melbourne

  • BlueScope Steel

  • Australian Made

SHAPESCAPER® Metal Garden Edging

FormBoss® Metal Garden Edging

Redcor® vs Galvabond® — which finish?

This is the first decision to make, and it is purely about looks — both finishes carry the same structural strength and a comparable service life. Redcor® is a weathering steel (the same family as Corten); Galvabond® is zinc-coated steel.

Redcor® — the rusted look

A weathering steel that rusts on the surface for the first 3–6 months, then stabilises into a protective patina that slows further corrosion.

  • Warm rust-orange, deepening to brown
  • Best where you want the edging seen
  • Suits native, modern and gravel gardens
  • Also searched for as corten steel edging
Galvabond® — neutral silver-grey

Zinc-coated steel that stays a consistent silver-grey and does not develop a rust finish.

  • Quietly disappears into the garden
  • Best against pale pavers and concrete
  • No run-off staining while it weathers
  • The safe choice if you’re unsure
Worth knowing

While Redcor® is developing its patina in the first few months, rust run-off can stain light-coloured pavers, concrete and rendered walls. If the edging sits hard against pale paving, either allow a small mulch or gravel gap, or choose Galvabond® instead. Once the patina stabilises, run-off largely stops.

Which thickness and height do I need?

Thickness controls how rigid the edging is and how tight a curve it will hold. Height controls how much mulch or soil it can hold back.

ThicknessBends toBest for
1.6 mmSmooth curves by handThe most popular choice — garden beds, lawn edging and general residential work
2.0 mmTighter radii, more effortLong straight runs and light commercial work where you want extra rigidity
2.5 mmLarge radii onlyHeavy-duty — retaining mulch or soil, commercial and high-traffic areas
HeightTypical use
75 mmLawn-to-path separation and shallow mulch borders
100 mmThe standard for most garden beds and mulched areas
150 mmDeeper mulch, raised beds and light soil retention
200 mmMaximum retention — pair with angled retaining stakes

Not sure? For a standard mulched garden bed, 1.6 mm at 100 mm high covers the majority of Melbourne jobs. Beyond 200 mm of retained soil, step up to steel posts and concrete sleepers.

How much edging do I need?

Lengths

Measure the total perimeter in metres, divide by the length of a single piece (commonly 2.44 m) and round up.

Stakes

Allow 2 stakes per length as a rule of thumb — 3 per length on tight curves, in 2.5 mm, or where the edging is holding back soil.

Corners

Count your 90° corners. You can fold the steel on site, but pre-made corner sections give a sharper, faster finish.

Example: a 20 m bed perimeter ÷ 2.44 = 8.2, so 9 lengths plus roughly 18 stakes. Send us your measurements on 0456 776 666, or request a bulk quote for larger jobs.

SHAPESCAPER® vs FormBoss®

Both are Australian made from BlueScope steel and both perform to a similar standard. The choice usually comes down to what else you want to build.

 SHAPESCAPER®FormBoss®
FinishesRedcor® & Galvabond®Redcor®, galvanised & ZAM®
Thicknesses1.6, 2.0 & 2.5 mm1.6 mm and up
PlantersRing, hexagonal and modular box plantersTiered planter sets
Stands out forThe modular system — build planters to almost any sizeThe long track record and rolled safety edge
Best ifYou want edging and planters to match across a whole gardenYou want a proven, straightforward edging system

Browse the full SHAPESCAPER® range or the full FormBoss® range. Stakes and corners are brand-specific — keep edging and fixings from the same system so heights and fixing points line up.

How to install metal garden edging

  1. Mark your line

    Lay a hose or rope along the intended edge and stand back to check the shape before you dig — curves always read differently from a distance.

  2. Cut a shallow trench

    Dig a narrow trench so the edging will sit at your intended height, usually flush with or slightly below the lawn surface.

  3. Set the first length

    Stand the edging in the trench and check the top line with a string line or level. This first piece sets everything that follows.

  4. Drive the stakes

    Drive stakes on the garden-bed side, hard against the edging, and fix them to the profile. Keep the tops below the edging line so they stay hidden.

  5. Overlap and continue

    Overlap the next length and fix through both pieces at the join. For curves, ease the steel gradually rather than forcing a bend in one spot.

  6. Backfill and finish

    Backfill both sides and firm down. Lay weed mat inside the bed, then top up with mulch or decorative pebbles to the level you want.

Installing flush with the lawn gives you a mowing strip — you can run the mower wheel straight over the edge and skip the whipper snipper. Laying new lawn at the same time? See our instant turf range.

Frequently asked questions

Does Redcor® garden edging keep rusting away?

No. Redcor® is a weathering steel, not ordinary mild steel. It rusts on the surface for the first 3–6 months and that patina then seals the steel and slows further corrosion. It is designed to look rusted while still lasting decades in a normal garden setting.

Will rusted garden edging stain my pavers or concrete?

It can while the patina is forming, particularly on light-coloured or porous surfaces. Allow a small mulch or gravel gap between the edging and pale paving, or choose Galvabond® where the two meet. Once the patina stabilises, run-off largely stops.

Can metal garden edging be bent into curves?

Yes. 1.6 mm bends easily by hand into smooth curves; 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm hold larger radii and need more effort. Ease the steel gradually along its length rather than forcing a kink in one spot. Pre-made corner sections are available for sharp 90° turns.

What thickness of steel garden edging should I choose?

1.6 mm suits most residential garden beds and lawn edging and is the easiest to shape. Step up to 2.0 mm for long runs or light commercial work, and 2.5 mm where the edging is retaining mulch or soil, or in high-traffic commercial areas.

Is metal garden edging safe around children and pets?

Both SHAPESCAPER® and FormBoss® roll the top edge back on itself rather than leaving a raw cut, so there is no sharp exposed lip. Installed flush or slightly below the lawn surface, the top edge sits below foot level.

Will metal garden edging damage my lawn mower?

No. Installed flush with the lawn it works as a mowing strip. You can run the mower wheel along the edge and cut right to the border, which removes most of the edging and trimming work.

How long does steel garden edging last?

Both Redcor® and Galvabond® are built for decades of in-ground service in typical Melbourne garden conditions, far longer than plastic or untreated timber edging which becomes brittle or rots.

Do you deliver garden edging across Melbourne?

Yes. We deliver steel and metal garden edging across all Melbourne metro suburbs including Bayswater, Box Hill, Glen Waverley, Ringwood, Doncaster, Croydon and Knox, plus regional Victoria. You can also collect from our yard at 3/5 Newcastle Rd, Bayswater VIC 3153. Get in touch for a delivery quote.

Everything for your garden edging project

SHAPESCAPER® Edging FormBoss® Edging Timber Garden Edging Mulch Decorative Pebbles Garden Soil Instant Turf Weed Mat Pavers Retaining Walls
Trade & DIY

Garden Edging Melbourne — Why Landscapers Buy Theirs From Us

Both major brands, every finish, on the shelf in Bayswater.

Australian made, BlueScope steel

Both SHAPESCAPER® and FormBoss® are roll-formed from Australian BlueScope steel and manufactured in Melbourne.

Both brands, one yard

Compare SHAPESCAPER® and FormBoss® side by side in person instead of guessing from a photo.

Every finish and thickness

Redcor® and Galvabond® in 1.6, 2.0 and 2.5 mm, heights from 75 mm to 200 mm — no special-order wait.

Stakes & corners stocked

Tapered stakes, angled retaining stakes, pre-made corners and brackets on the shelf — one trip, whole job.

Pick up at Bayswater

Load the ute today — easy parking and quick in-and-out at 3/5 Newcastle Rd, Bayswater VIC 3153.

Melbourne-wide delivery

Delivered across Melbourne metro and regional Victoria. Bulk and trade pricing available.

Pick up & trade counter3/5 Newcastle Rd, Bayswater VIC 3153
Call 0456 776 666
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