Are you kicking mulch back into your beds when you walk around your yard? Does the grass creep into your garden bed, and you have to keep cutting it back? It might be time for you to consider investing in a garden border.
Why You Need a Garden Border
It doesn’t matter if the garden is full of flowers, veggies, herbs, or rocks. Gardens get flooded with water, animals, and insects that can wash away the clean line of your garden. The edge of a garden can start to look messy, but you can keep the mulch in place and the grass at bay with a bit of garden edging. It also helps with curb appeal!
Although we recommend everyone install some type of edging to add the cherry on top of a great garden design, it’s important to note that it’s hard work installing one yourself. There’s a lot of digging, hammering, and kneeling that goes along with it. So you might want to consider hiring it out to professionals, especially if you choose a material that might need more experienced artisans to install.
What Types of Borders Are There?
No matter what style of home you have, garden edging is sure to compliment it. Be sure to consider the style of your home before selecting a border so that the two don’t clash but instead work together to create a seamless design that will look great for years to come.
Plastic
One of the most affordable options for garden edging is plastic. Typically this comes in rolls and has a straight piece with a rounded piece on top. The rounded piece acts as a buffer and helps keep everything in its place. This type of edging also requires less digging and is especially ideal for those who want to complete this project independently.
Stone Pavers
Often used as walkway materials, stone pavers can also be used as garden edging. Many of us might have some of these lying around from other projects, and it might be the perfect time to save some money and use them as garden edging. They are stronger and more durable than plastic edging, but they will also require more digging. These are also rough on the hands and can get quite heavy.
Natural Rocks
The best thing about using natural rocks for your garden edging is their price. Although you could go to a garden center and purchase natural stones, you could also collect them from around your home or local river and bring them home to use as garden edging. But, again, these can get quite heavy and require quite a bit of digging and maneuvering to line them up correctly. You might save money by harvesting these yourself, but you might want to consider hiring it out to the professionals to install them.
Metal
Like plastic, metal edging comes in rolls and is a flat vertical edging that doesn’t require as much digging as other options. It’s also way more durable than plastic and will last a long time without getting torn up and needing to be replaced. This type also looks best for more modern-style homes.
Brick
Another option that many of us might have lying around the yard or behind our sheds. Bricks are durable but heavy and require a lot of digging to get them installed and lined up correctly. They also don’t suit as many styles and might clash with a home that doesn’t also have bricks in its design.
Concrete
Professional garden designers might have an option to pour concrete and mold it into a decorative shape. This type of garden edging is classic, but it can quickly become a significant investment as the materials and labor to install it are more expensive than other options mentioned.
Timber
Timber was used a lot as garden edging and retaining walls a few decades ago. While people are moving more towards plastic or rock, timber still has a specific look that might suit a home very well. It’s one of the more affordable options, but it’s still more time-consuming and labor-intensive than plastic.
Mini Fence
Another one of the more expensive options, mini fences that only reach six inches in height, is a favorite of cottage-style homes. These little fences come in many decorative shapes and designs and offer an adorable and classic look to any garden.
Recycled Materials
Sometimes the best garden edging is whatever you have on hand. Maybe you have some leftover cedar shingles from that pergola project, or perhaps you have some old tile in the basement that you could use. No matter what it is, recycling materials is always best for the planet and your wallet.
So remember to match your garden edging to your home’s existing style, and be sure you have help and plenty of water if you plan to take on the project yourself. Digging and carrying heavy rocks or stones can wear you out faster than you might think.
