Question: What factors should I keep in mind when I'm weighing the benefits and drawbacks of the different types of edging products used to separate turf from garden areas?

Answer: Variables include availability, initial cost, durability, and appearance. Ease of installation is also a factor. For example, large cement blocks are heavy to move around, although they rank high in durability. If you'll be having the edging installed by professionals, I'd suggest going with the highest quality you can afford. If you're installing it yourself, you can decide what's most important to you -- weight, expense, etc. and decide from there. Note that very inexpensive rubber edging may seem like a bargain, but it may also heave out of the ground and need to be fixed each spring. If cost is more important than labor, however, it might be the right choice for you.