I have some cheap plastic border from HD that I was planning on putting there. But since I have the mulch raked out I was wondering if there’s a better option?
I really haven’t had an issues with erosion. So it would just be for a nice clean look and to keep some mulch in the bed.
I was contemplating a 4×4 with rebar in it pounded into the ground. Is that worth the extra work? Or is the plastic roll stuff good enough?
Thanks in advance.
by Kalabula
18 Comments
The mulched section is pretty far out from the bushes. I’d seed back the grass a little so the edge of the bush canopy is basically above the edging line with 1-2 inches spare. For beds like this I hand dig an edge rather than using plastic or metal edging but it depends on what kind of look you want in the long term. Your shrubs are very stable so it shouldn’t be too difficult to maintain whatever edging you choose. I just like the natural look of a trenched edge.
Marker, waiting for good ideas.
C’mon, Redditors, help us out.
Have a small retaining wall installed. Maybe 2-3 layers in height.
trench 3 1/2 inches where dirt meets grass, add aluminum edging just below grade, make it almost level but make the edging “proud” where it slightly is above grade. Backfill with dirt, then add mulch. Clean look.
Throw out that cheap plastic roll immediately. It heaves in the winter frost, looks like a wavy black snake sitting on your lawn, and your mower will eventually chew it to pieces. The four by four timber idea is just as bad because wood rots and you cannot make smooth natural curves with rigid lumber. You want this bed line to sweep and flow seamlessly with the rest of your yard.
The absolute best border for this spot is a natural cut edge. Get a half moon edger or a sharp flat spade and cut a crisp V shaped trench directly into the turf about three to four inches deep. Toss the excavated soil up into the bed to create a gentle mound around the base of those shrubs. Your mulch will sit down inside that trench which physically locks it in place so it never spills into the grass.
This method costs exactly zero dollars and gives you a high end professional look that blends perfectly with the soft landscape. When you mow you simply run the mower wheels right along the grass edge. You only have to clean up the line once a year in the spring to keep it looking sharp. If you absolutely insist on spending money on a physical barrier you need heavy gauge steel edging but a clean spade cut is truly all this bed needs.
Honestly this would be a beautiful place for a low stone wall. Just 1 or 2 bricks high
There’s not that many choices. You have the vinyl one I see laying in the grass there. That’s the cheapest and most common. It’ll last a long time if you don’t hit it with a mower but it will frost heave its way out of the ground over time. You have metal edging which lasts forever but costs more. Aluminum is cheaper than steel. You can do stone pavers which cost a lot and take the most time to install. They last forever and you can reset them when they shift. Or you can cut a natural edge and just have the mulch butt up to the turf. You’ll get more weeds in the bed with this but it’s free
I use these at our house. Easy to work with, durable and look nice: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP3J296K?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP3J296K?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1)
I just cut straight down for a natural cut off. Nothing looks better imo. The soil fills in over summer and winter. It’s a job every spring to dig it again, but it beats the hell out of pavers and borders that get all wonky.
5k and you can have a nice paver border and actual mulch installed
Where is the mulch?
Too shady for grass, just do a mass planting of impatients. Not many flowers will thrive/bloom in that shade, but they will.
Take a shovel and dig a 4 to 5 inch deep trench around your plantings. Dig straight down on grass side anð slope it on the side next to plants. Dump your mulch. The trench holds the mulch in.
Miniature farmers stone wall.
I don’t think I’d go that far out (where you have the border laid) because you’ll end up with weeds regardless of a fabric. Don’t ask me how I know.
Just edge it.
Belgium Blocks
I love the metal edging in an organic shape broken up by boulders here and there.