Effective flower edging can be achieved through the digging of a small border trench, the implementing of special edging plastic, or the employment of decorative devices such as stone, brick, or concrete. Flower bed edging is an ideal way of maintaining attractive gardens while preventing grass from making its way into flower beds. There are a variety of products available to create the perfect garden edging without compromising the beauty of the landscape design.
One of the most affordable options for establishing a flower bed border is to dig a small trench around the perimeter of the garden. This can be accomplished with an average shovel, marking a border around the space by scoring approximately 4 inches (10.2 centimeters) into the ground. Then, standing inside the garden, dig out the dirt at a slight incline toward the cut. This trench will prevent grass from the lawn from seeping into the garden and ensure the flowers in the garden do not grow past the border. The trench can be left open or filled with rocks.
Many gardeners use plastic specifically designed for flower edging to further establish the boundary between garden beds and lawns. The landscape edging plastic comes in large rolls and can be easily fitted into the 4-inch (10.2-centimeter) trench like the one mentioned above. The top of the edging typically has a rounded shape and an earthy color, making it virtually invisible to onlookers.
While a small trench and/or edging plastic are highly efficient, some gardeners may not wish to compromise the beauty and natural flow of the garden space. Fortunately there are several decorative options to cover garden borders without creating a noticeable ditch. Edging in stone, both real and artificial, concrete, and brick are readily available to help disguise the trench and present an attractive garden bed edging.
Traditionally shaped bricks, concrete, and stones are not the only options for decorative flower edging. There are several different styles available, some of which include unusually shaped bricks and stones, concrete molded into unique designs or eye-catching imprints, and concrete borders designed to create circular spaces. Molded concrete flower edging is also available in varieties resembling antique wood, cobblestones, and even woven, tweed-like patterns.
There are a few minor precautions to bear in mind when choosing the right flower edging. An edging style that is easy to mow and trim around will help make upkeep a relatively easy process. Cost varies with the type of edging selected, so be on the lookout for both ease of installation and price. Methods of installation range from the affordable—such as digging a trench—to enlisting the aid of a qualified contractor or landscaping professional, which can be a much more costly undertaking.