AU2017221887B2 - Garden edging improvements - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a garden edge for separating or forming a border between different areas 5 of lawn and gardens. In one aspect, there is provided a garden edge comprising a body comprising a strip, and at least one garden edge connector which is integral with the body, and which is at least partially delineated from a remainder of the body by a line of weakness which renders the connector separable from the remainder of the body. In a further aspect there is provided a method for assembling a garden edge assembly comprising at least a first and a second garden edge, by separating a connector from a 0 remainder of the body of the first garden edge, and then employing the connector to connect the first garden edge lengthwise with the second garden edge. 5 04 1/14 CCI N''

Description

04 1/14

CCI N'' GARDEN EDGING IMPROVEMENTS PRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2016903600 titled "GARDEN EDGING IMPROVEMENTS" and filed on 7 September 2016, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] The following publication is referred to in the present application and its contents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety: Australian Patent Application No. 2015215839 titled "A GARDEN EDGE ASSEMBLY" in the name of Raven Products Pty Ltd.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a garden edge for separating or forming a border between different areas of lawn and gardens. More particularly but not exclusively the present disclosure relates to a garden edge manufactured in strip form.

BACKGROUND

[0004] Garden edges have been used in landscaping for many years to separate or create borders between different areas of a backyard. For example, edging may be used to separate lawn from an adjacent garden, or pathway, or it may form a border around a flower bed, stone garden or tree well.

[0005] Australian Patent Application No. 2015215839 discloses a strip of garden edge which can be connected lengthwise with a further strip of garden edge using a separate clip. However, manufacture of the clip requires additional material and tooling, and so involves additional cost. Moreover, presenting the clip at the point of sale presents a difficulty, in that it must either be packaged together somehow with the garden edge (which involves additional cost), or sold as a separate item which the consumer could overlook when purchasing the garden edge.

[0006] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

[0007] Certain advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, several embodiments of the present invention are disclosed.

SUMMARY

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garden edge comprising a body comprising a strip, and at least one garden edge connector which is integral with the body, and which is at least partially delineated from a remainder of the body by a line of weakness which renders the connector separable from the remainder of the body.

[0009] In one form, in a further aspect, there is provided a garden edge comprising a body comprising a strip, and at least one garden edge connector which is integral with the body, and which is at least partially delineated from a remainder of the body by a line of weakness, and wherein in use, the connector is separated from the remainder of the body and employed to connect the garden edge lengthwise with a further like garden edge.

[0010] In one form, a plurality of garden edge connectors are integral with the body.

[0011] In one form, the line of weakness substantially surrounds the connector.

[0012] In one form, the line of weakness comprises either of a slit or a slot.

[0013] In one form, the slit or slot is interrupted by at least one bridging portion extending between the body and the connector.

[0014] In one form, the line of weakness comprises a plurality of slits or slots interrupted by a plurality of bridging portions.

[0015] In one form, the line of weakness comprises a line of perforations.

[0016] In one form, the line of weakness comprises a score line.

[0017] In one form, the body of the garden edge further comprises a plurality of ground insertion portions disposed along the length thereof.

[0018] In one form, each of the ground insertion portions extends from the strip.

[0019] In one form, the connector is integral with one of the ground insertion portions, and at least partially delineated from a remainder of the ground insertion portion by a line of weakness which renders the connector separable from the remainder of the ground insertion portion.

[0020] In one form, the garden edge further comprises at least one connector backing plate which is integral with the body, and which is at least partially delineated from a remainder of the body by a line of weakness which renders the connector backing plate separable from the remainder of the body.

[0021] In one form, a plurality of connector backing plates are integral with the body.

[0022] In one form, the connector backing plate is integral with one of the ground insertion portions, and at least partially delineated from a remainder of the ground insertion portion by a line of weakness which renders the connector backing plate separable from the remainder of the ground insertion portion.

[0023] In one form, the connector backing plate is integral with a different ground insertion portion than the connector.

[0024] In one form, the body of the garden edge further comprises a first plurality of spaced apart regions of weakness disposed along the length of the strip to permit bending thereat, said bending being substantially orthogonal (or transverse) to a direction of elongation of the strip.

[0025] In one form, each of the ground insertion portions comprises a tooth member comprising a triangular profile.

[0026] In one form, all of the garden edge's ground insertion portions are substantially identical. In one form, in an alternative, not all of the garden edge's ground insertion portions are substantially identical.

[0027] In one form, ground insertion portions at or towards ends of the strip are different to those at or toward a mid-region of the strip.

[0028] In one form, ground insertion portions at or towards ends of the strip are shorter than those at or toward a mid-region of the strip. In one form, ground insertion portions at or towards ends of the strip have a different shape to those at or toward a mid-region of the strip.

[0029] In one form, the tooth members (or teeth) are permitted to bend about the strip in a direction parallel to the direction of elongation of the strip.

[0030] In one form, the strip includes a second plurality of spaced apart regions of weakness, each associated with a respective tooth member to permit bending and/or breaking thereof.

[0031] In one form, the first and second plurality of spaced apart regions of weakness comprise slotted or perforated regions or lines.

[0032] In one form, the tooth members are disposed along the length of the strip such that one or more tooth members (teeth) are disposed between spaced apart regions of weakness of the first plurality of spaced apart regions of weakness.

[0033] In one form, spacing between regions of weakness of the first plurality will vary along the strip.

[0034] In one form, spacing between weakness regions of the first plurality (i.e. transverse) is, at or towards ends of the strip, different to spacing at or toward a mid-region of the strip.

[0035] In one form, spacing between weakness regions of the first plurality is, at or towards ends of the strip, closer than spacing at or toward a mid-region of the strip.

[0036] In one form, each of the second plurality (i.e. longitudinal) of spaced apart regions of weakness is disposed substantially in line with opposing roots of a respective tooth member.

[0037] In one form, the connector comprises a central body portion, and a pair of oppositely directed, arms extending outwardly from the central body portion.

[0038] In one form, the garden edge further comprises apertures at or toward opposing ends thereof which are receivable of the arms of the connector.

[0039] In one form, the connector backing plate comprises an elongate body comprising apertures at or toward opposing ends thereof which are receivable of the arms of the connector.

[0040] In one form, the garden edge is made of a metal. Typical metals that the strip can be made from include mild or galvanised steel and aluminium.

[0041] In one form, in an alternative, the garden edge is made from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0042] In one form, the thickness of the strip is preferably less than 3mm; however the thickness will depend on the size (height) of the strip and material.

[0043] In one form, the garden edge further comprises a downwardly formed (turned) upper edge.

[0044] In one form, in an alternative, the garden edge further includes a protective capping located over a top portion of the upper edge to minimise the risk of a person cutting themselves on the edge. The protective capping may be an extruded plastic or a rolled length of metal strip.

[0045] According to a further aspect, there is provided a garden edge assembly comprising a first and a second of the above described garden edges, and at least one connector connecting the two garden edges endwise.

[0046] In one form, a first of the arms of the connector engage a first connector aperture in the first garden edge, and a second of the arms of the connector engage a second connector aperture in the second garden edge, to thereby join the garden edges together.

[0047] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method for assembling the above described garden edge assembly, the method including the steps of separating a connector from a remainder of the body of a first garden edge, and then employing the connector to connect the first garden edge lengthwise with a further like garden edge.

[0048] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

[0049] The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0050] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0051] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a garden edge according to an embodiment;

[0052] Figure 2 is a detail view taken at A in Figure 1;

[0053] Figure 3 is an isometric view of the garden edge of Figure 1, when viewed from an opposite side to that shown in Figure 1;

[0054] Figure 4 is a detail view taken at B in Figure 3;

[0055] Figure 5 is an isometric view of a garden edge assembly, comprising two of the garden edges of Figure 1;

[0056] Figure 6 is an isometric view of the garden edge assembly of Figure 5, when viewed from the opposite side;

[0057] Figure 7 is a detail view taken at C in Figure 5;

[0058] Figure 8 is a detail view taken at D in Figure 6;

[0059] Figure 9 is an isometric view of a garden edge according to a further embodiment;

[0060] Figure 10 is an isometric view of the garden edge of Figure 9, when viewed from the opposite side;

[0061] Figure 11 is a front view of the garden edge of Figure 9;

[0062] Figure 12 is a rear view of the garden edge of Figure 9;

[0063] Figures 13 and 14 are end views of the garden edge of Figure 9;

[0064] Figure 15 is an isometric view of the garden edge of Figure 9 retaining irrigation tubing;

[0065] Figure 16 is a rear view of the garden edge and irrigation tubing of Figure 15;

[0066] Figure 17 is a detail view taken at A in Figure 15;

[0067] Figure 18 is an isometric view of the garden edge of Figure 9, configured for use in loose soil;

[0068] Figure 19 is a plan view of the garden edge configured as per Figure 18;

[0069] Figure 20 is an isometric view of the garden edge of Figure 9 configured for use in haunching pavers;

[0070] Figure 21 is an isometric view of the garden edge of Figure 20 haunching pavers;

[0071] Figure 22 is a side view of the garden edge of Figure 21 haunching pavers;

[0072] Figure 23 is an isometric view of the garden edge of Figure 9 configured for use defining a garden step;

[0073] Figure 24 is an isometric view of the garden edge of Figure 24 defining a garden step;

[0074] Figure 25 is an isometric view of a garden edge according to a further embodiment; and

[0075] Figure 26 is a front view of the garden edge of Figure 25.

[0076] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0077] Referring now to Figures 1 through 4, where there is shown a garden edge 10 according to an embodiment. The garden edge 10 comprises a body comprising an elongate strip 20 extending between a first end 23 and a second distal end 25.

[0078] The body of the garden edge 10 further comprises a plurality of ground insertion portions 30 that extend from the strip 20, and which are disposed along the length of the strip 20. The strip 20 further includes a plurality of spaced apart regions of weakness 24 disposed along the length of the strip 20. The regions of weakness 24 permit the strip 20 to bend orthogonally to a direction of elongation of the strip 20 (i.e. transversely). Moreover, the regions of weakness 24 divide the strip 20 into segments 22, and permit adjacent contiguous segments 22 of the strip 20 to bend with respect to one another to form any desired shape lengthwise.

[0079] The garden edge 10 is made from a metal such as a mild or galvanised steel of approximately 2mm in thickness. This material and thickness provides sufficient rigidity to the strip to enable it to be hammered into the ground and to maintain a straight form if adjacent segments 22 are not required to be bent to form a desired shape. Other metals such as aluminium could also be used however an aluminium strip would need to be thicker than a steel strip of equivalent strength and stiffness. Optionally, the strip could also be manufactured from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for example. The appropriate thickness of the strip will vary depending upon the size (height) of the strip and material used. In illustrated embodiments, the thickness of the strip is less than 3mm. In other embodiments, the strip thickness may be in the range of, including but not limited to

1.Omm-1.2mm, 1.2mm-1.4mm, 1.4mm-1.6mm, 1.6mm-1.8mm, 1.8mm-2.Omm, 2.Omm-2.2mm, 2.2mm 2.4mm, 2.4mm-2.6mm, 2.6mm-2.8mm or 2.8mm-3.Omm.

[0080] Each of the regions of weakness 24 (which may also be referred to as lines of weakness or bend/fold lines) comprises, in this embodiment, a pair of aligned notches 27a and 27b, one notch (27a) in the upper edge of the strip, and one (27b) in the lower edge of the strip, and a transverse groove 29 stamped into a back side of the strip 20, which extends between the notches 27a and 27b. Each of these notch 27a, 27b and groove 29 groupings create a line across the strip 20 which is prone to bend or break, depending on the amount and type of force which is applied.

[0081] In other embodiments, instead of slots, the region or line of weakness maybe formed by perforating or scoring the strip in the desired regions such that the strip is capable of bending or breaking off in these localised areas.

[0082] The upper edge of the strip 20 is divided into portions 20A by the notches 27a, and these upper edge portions 20A are rolled over to present a rounded edge profile which is far less likely to cause injury than an unrolled edge portion, and which is stronger and stiffer than an unrolled edge portion.

[0083] Each of the ground insertion portions 30 comprises a tooth with a triangular or V-shaped profile. The tooth members 30 are disposed along the length of the strip 20 such that one or more tooth members 30 are disposed between adjacent spaced apart regions of weakness 24. Each tooth member 30 has edges 36 that extend from a root 34 to an apex or tip 32.

[0084] Although triangular shaped tooth members 30 are shown, it is to be appreciated that any suitable shape could be used that has a lead in section that allows the member to easily penetrate into the ground, and that provides sufficient surface area such that once inserted into the ground, the tooth member is retained therein. In this way, the teeth 30 enable the edge 10 to be secured with respect to the ground without the need for additional spikes or pegs. The teeth 30 provide an increased surface area compared to a spike or peg. Consequently, the teeth 30 do not need to be driven as deep into the ground as a traditional spike or peg in order to achieve the same degree of ground retention. This in turn provides a considerable time saving when installing the edge 10. Instead of excavating a trench and hammering individual spikes deep into the ground, the edge 10 is itself hammered into the ground but to a much shallower extent than a spike or peg would be for the same ground retention.

[0085] The body of the garden edge 10 further comprises a plurality of spaced apart regions of weakness 26 that are longitudinally extending with respect to the strip 20. The regions of weakness 26 permit the ground insertion portions or tooth members 30 to bend relative to the strip 20 in a direction parallel to the direction of elongation of the strip 20, and break off if required. Accordingly, each ground insertion portion or tooth member 30 is associated with a respective region of weakness 26, which as shown in Figure 1, may be disposed approximately in line with the roots 34 of a tooth member 30. The regions of weakness 26 shown in Figure 1 are longitudinal or horizontal slots that have been cut into the strip 20.

[0086] In other embodiments, instead of slots, the region or line of weakness 26 may be formed by perforating or scoring the strip in the desired regions such that the strip is capable of bending or breaking off in these localised areas.

[0087] The body of the garden edge 10 further comprises a garden edge connector 50, which is integral with one of the ground insertion portions 30, and at least partially delineated from a remainder of the ground insertion portion 30 by a line of weakness 60 which renders the connector 50 separable from the remainder of the ground insertion portion 30.

[0088] The line of weakness 60 for the connector 50 comprises a slot 62 which extends almost all of the way around the connector 50, but which is interrupted by a bridging portion 64 extending between the body and the connector.

[0089] The connector 50 comprises a circular, central body portion 52, and a pair of oppositely directed, arms 54 extending outwardly from the central body portion 52. Each of the arms 54 is locally narrowed as they transition into the body portion 52, so that in use, the arms 54 can be bent at this point.

[0090] The body of the garden edge 10 further comprises an aperture 40 at or toward each end thereof, which is receivable of one of the arms 54 of the connector 50.

[0091] The body of the garden edge 10 further comprises a connector backing plate 70, which is integral with one of the ground insertion portions 30 (a different insertion portion 30 to the connector 50), and at least partially delineated from a remainder of the ground insertion portion 30 by a line of weakness 80 which renders the connector backing plate 70 separable from the remainder of the ground insertion portion 30.

[0092] The line of weakness 80 for the connector backing plate 70 comprises a slot 82 which extends almost all of the way around the connector backing plate 70, but which is interrupted by a bridging portion 84 extending between the body and the connector backing plate 70.

[0093] The connector backing plate 70 comprises a rectangular tab comprising a pair of transversely extending slotted through apertures 72, where one of these apertures 72 is located toward each end of the connector backing plate 70.

[0094] The garden edge 10, replete with its connector 50 and connector backing plate 70, is cut from a single sheet of metal resulting in a single, integral 'blank'. Cutting of the blank could be carried out by laser cutting, or by using one or more 'blanking processes', which employ a punch and a die. Once the blank has been cut, the upper edge portions 20A of the strip are rolled.

[0095] If the garden edge 10 is made of a plastic material, it can be moulded replete with its connector 50 and connector backing plate 70.

[0096] In use, the garden edge 10 can be bent into a required shape lengthwise, by bending the strip at selected transverse regions of weakness 24. If a length of garden edge 10 is too long, it can be shortened by breaking it at a selected transverse region of weakness 24. What is more, selected ground insertion portions 30 can be bent (to provide support in sandy soils) or broken off along longitudinal regions of weakness 26. Breaking off selected ground insertion portions 30 creates clearance for tree roots, irrigation or plumbing pipes.

[0097] The connector 50 and connector backing plate 70 can be separated from the remainder of the body of the garden edge 10 by bending the respective bridging portions until these break.

[0098] An advantage of forming the connector 50 and the connector backing plate 70 in ground insertion portions 30, is that their removal will not leave visible holes (hence adversely affecting aesthetics) once the newly holed insertion portions 30 are either embedded in the ground or broken off.

[0099] With reference to Figures 5 through 8, it can be seen that the connector 50 and connector backing plate 70 can then be employed to connect a pair of garden edges 10 to form a garden edge assembly 100.

[00100] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, it can be seen how the arms 54 of the connector 50 are bent at their respective narrowed transition portions, and how a first of these arms 54 is inserted into the aperture 40 in a first garden edge 10, and a second of these arms 54 is inserted into the aperture 40 in a second garden edge 10 which is abutting the first garden edge endwise. The connector backing plate 70 is then utilised on an opposite side of the strip 20 to the connector 50. The first of the connector arms 54 is inserted into a first aperture 72 in the connector backing plate 70, and the second of the connector arms 54 is inserted a second aperture 72 in the backing plate 70. The arms 54 can then be folded flat against the backing plate 70, sandwiching the ends of the two garden edges 10 between the connector 50 and connector backing plate 70, and joining the two connecting garden edges 10 endwise.

[00101] The connector 50 could effect an endwise connection of the two garden edges 10 without assistance from the connector backing plate 70, but use of the connector backing plate 70 provides additional stability for the joint which is created between the two garden edges 10.

[00102] In addition to the better known applications mentioned above at paragraph 3, the garden edge disclosed herein can be employed to bound differences in ground surface level, such as occurs at a step for a stairway, the extent of which will be determined by the height of the strip.

[00103] The garden edge 10 comprises a connector 50 which is both manufactured simultaneously with the garden edge 10, and physically integral with the garden edge 10, thereby reducing manufacturing complexities and costs, reducing freight complexities and costs, and reducing point of sale complexities and costs.

[00104] Referring now to Figures 9 through 14, where there is illustrated a garden edge 200 according to a further embodiment. Those parts of the garden edge 200 which are identical (or near identical) to corresponding parts shown in garden edge 10 of Figures 1 through 8, will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail. Instead, what follows will be a description of the points of difference between garden edge 200 and garden edge 10.

[00105] The upper edge of the strip 20 of garden edge 200 is rolled over to present a rounded edge profile 210, but the notches 27a extend through a downwardly turned portion 212 of the edge profile 210 only, which is divided into portions 212A, meaning the notches 27a are visible from a back of the garden edge 200 (see Figure12) but not visible from a front of the garden edge 200 (see Figure 11). That is to say the rounded edge profile 210 appears unbroken from a front of the garden edge 200, which represents an aesthetic improvement without compromising the operation of the transverse regions of weakness 24.

[00106] The line of weakness 60 for the connector 50 comprises a pair of slots 62 which are separated by a pair of bridging portions 64 extending between the body and the connector 50. The second bridging portion reduces the likelihood of unwanted separation of the connector 50 resulting in its loss.

[00107] Similarly, the line of weakness 80 for the connector backing plate 70 comprises a pair of slots 82 which are separated by a pair of bridging portions 84 extending between the body and the connector backing plate 70.

[00108] Some of the ground insertion portions 30 comprise a further region of weakness 240, which permits a tip portion 30B of these ground insertion portions 30A to bend with respect to a remainder thereof. These ground insertion portions 30A comprise a notch 242 in each edge thereof, which cooperatively create a bend line therebetween, where this bend line extends in the direction of elongation of the strip 20.

[00109] Referring now to Figures 15 through 17, where it can be seen how in use, the ground insertion portions 30A can be bent at region of weakness 26 and 240 to form a hook which can retain a length of irrigation tubing T adjacent to the strip 20.

[00110] Referring now to Figures 18 and 19, where it can be seen how in use, some ground insertion portions 30 can be bent at region of weakness 26 so as to extend to a side of the strip 20, to improve the stability of the garden edge 200 when this is employed in loose soil.

[00111] Referring now to Figures 20 and 22, where it can be seen how in use, each of the ground insertion portions 30 is bent at region of weakness 26 so as to extend to one side of the strip 20. The strip 20 extends along a paving line, and the ground insertion portions 30 extend beneath paving sand PS and pavers P. In this way the garden edge 200 can be used for haunching pavers P.

[00112] Referring now to Figures 23 and 24, where it can be seen how in use, each of the ground insertion portions 30 is bent at region of weakness 24 to form box sections which can be backfilled to make garden steps GS.

[00113] Referring now to Figures 25 and 26, where there is illustrated a garden edge 300 according to a further embodiment. Those parts of the garden edge 300 which are identical (or near identical) to corresponding parts shown in garden edge 200 of Figures 9 through 14, will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail. Instead, what follows will be a description of the points of difference between garden edge 300 and garden edge 200.

[00114] An upper portion of the strip 20 of garden edge 300 comprises a decorative motif which is repeated at regular intervals therealong. The motif comprises a group of through apertures 310, although any one or more of painted, printed, engraved or embossed motifs or patterns may be employed to improve aesthetics.

[00115] An advantage of embossing is that it can improve the strength and stiffness of the material in regions where this is desirable.

[00116] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[00117] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[00118] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims (16)

1. A garden edge comprising a body comprising a strip, and at least one garden edge connector which is integral with the body, and which is at least partially delineated from a remainder of the body by a line of weakness which renders the connector separable from the remainder of the body.

2. The garden edge of claim 1, wherein the line of weakness substantially surrounds the connector.

3. The garden edge as in either of the preceding claims, wherein the line of weakness comprises either of a slit or a slot.

4. The garden edge of claim 3, wherein the slit or slot is interrupted by at least one bridging portion extending between the body and the connector.

5. The garden edge as in either of claims 3 or 4, wherein the line of weakness comprises a plurality of slits or slots interrupted by a plurality of bridging portions.

6. The garden edge as in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein, the line of weakness comprises a line of perforations.

7. The garden edge as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body of the garden edge further comprises a plurality of ground insertion portions disposed along the length thereof.

8. The garden edge of claim 7, wherein each of the ground insertion portions extends from the strip.

9. The garden edge as in either of claims 7 or 8, wherein the connector is integral with one of the ground insertion portions, and at least partially delineated from a remainder of the ground insertion portion by a line of weakness which renders the connector separable from the remainder of the ground insertion portion.

10. The garden edge as in any one of claims 7 through 9, wherein the garden edge further comprises a connector backing plate which is integral with the body, and which is at least partially delineated from a remainder of the body by a line of weakness which renders the connector backing plate separable from the remainder of the body.

11. The garden edge of claim 10, wherein the connector backing plate is integral with one of the ground insertion portions, and at least partially delineated from a remainder of the ground insertion portion by a line of weakness which renders the connector backing plate separable from the remainder of the ground insertion portion.

12. The garden edge of claim 11, wherein the connector backing plate is integral with a different ground insertion portion than the connector.

13. The garden edge as in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a downwardly deformed upper edge presenting a rounded edge profile.

14. A garden edge comprising a body comprising a strip, and at least one garden edge connector which is integral with the body, and which is at least partially delineated from a remainder of the body by a line of weakness, and wherein in use, the connector is separated from the remainder of the body and employed to connect the garden edge lengthwise with a further like garden edge.

15. A garden edge assembly comprising at least a first and a second garden edge, wherein both garden edges comprise a body comprising a strip, and at least one garden edge connector which is integral with the body, and which is at least partially delineated from a remainder of the body by a line of weakness which renders the connector separable from the remainder of the body, and at least one connector connecting the first and second garden edges endwise.

16. A method for assembling a garden edge assembly comprising at least a first and a second garden edge, wherein both garden edges comprise a body comprising a strip, and at least one garden edge connector which is integral with the body, and which is at least partially delineated from a remainder of the body by a line of weakness which renders the connector separable from the remainder of the body, the method including the steps of separating a connector from a remainder of the body of the first garden edge, and then employing the connector to connect the first garden edge lengthwise with a further like garden edge.