15 Best Garden Edging

Best Garden Edging in 2023

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

Using Bricks as Garden Edging: A Do it Yourself Guide

A guide to how to use bricks to build garden edges or borders.

Garden edging is generally done using brick, stone or concrete, because these materials fair well with age and weather, pose no contamination risks to the earth, form a firm barrier, and are attractive as well as versatile. Wood, plastic or aluminum may also be used in some cases. Garden edging should not be confused with garden walls or retaining walls. Though a retaining wall is similar and both can be used like edging, edging is simply as it sounds an edge or border.

Brick is a particularly attractive and inexpensively easy choice for edging in any garden. Bricks tend to come in a uniform size, which makes patterning easy unlike stone which can be more varied and does not require a paver or knowledge of laying concrete like using concrete itself would. This simple guide on how to use bricks as garden edging will walk you through the process from planning to completion.

Before you begin actually installing your brick garden edge, you need to plan it out. This will give you a clear idea of what it is you are edging and also allow you to figure out how many bricks you'll need.

Decide where you want your edging:

Edging can be used in all variety of ways as is mentioned at the beginning of this how to guide. You can place it between a lawn and a garden or flower bed to prevent intermingling and make mowing easier. It can be used between different areas of your garden to provide an attractive border and separator or keep sand and rocks from garden paths from being untidy. It can even be used mainly to just look pretty. Where you place your edging is entirely up to you and can truly accentuate any garden's design.

Choose brick for your edging and decide how you want to lay it:

Next you'll want to decide what type and color of brick you want to use, and how you want to lay it. Brick comes in a wide range of colors, sizes, and textures. Try to choose a brick that is at least four inches in size. Keep in mind, you can even use more than one type of brick in your design, though if two or more varieties will be used in one single edge, you'll want to be sure the sizes match up well.

As far as how the brick can be used as edging or layed, there are two main methods, horizontal and vertical.

In the vertical method, a deeper trench is dug and the brick is buried in the ground with only the top showing. This provides a deeper barrier underground and a thinner edge unless more than one row of bricks is used.

In the horizontal method, a shallower trench is dug and the bricks are layed on there sides creating a broader edge. You can also combine both methods perhaps laying one row of vertical and then one horizontal.

Obtaining Brick for Edging:

Once you have the pattern and location planned and your type of brick chosen, measure the length of the edge you are creating and divide it by the length your chosen brick. This will give you an estimate of how many bricks you'll need. You may want to buy a few extra.

Brick can be purchased at garden supply stores, hardware stores, etc. As a cheap alternative you may try asking around at construction sites for broken or extra brick. You may find just what you need and they may give or sell it to you at a discounted rate.

Once you have planned out your edge and obtained the brick the next step is to dig out the trench to lay it.

First draw your lines. You can do so using string, a hose, or even spray paint. This will ensure your digging follows your plans and is straight where you want it straight. Note that an edge doesn't have to be straight, you can create curves and designs as well.

Next, in the case of grass or plant growth, you'll need to cut it away. In the case of bare ground, simply dig out a trench to your desired depth. The trench will vary in depth by brick size and the way you are laying it. On top of the verticaland horizontal options mentioned in step one of this how to guide, you can also chose to leave the brick level with the ground or slightly raised creating a small edge above the surface.

It's recommended to bury the brick at least a quarter of the way, however, to form an even semi-effective barrier. The deeper the brick is buried the better the barrier.

Be wary of any utility lines or watering systems that may be underground but close to the surface when digging.

The final step to using brick as garden edging is to lay the brick in your trench. You will need to create a firm base for the brick that won't settle affecting your edging.

You can do this either by using a dirt compactor, pounding it with a board and sledge hammer and/or by laying a layer of gravel or sand at the bottom of the trench. Try to keep the surface level while getting the base as firm and solid as possible.

Now you can place your brick in the trench. Depending on how much of a perfectionist you are, this could take awhile. You will need to lay each brick in position and then pound it into the dirt with a mallet. It is not necessary to cement the bricks though some people do choose to do so.

Once all the bricks are in place, filler dirt should be placed around them to fill in any excess space from the trench. Spraying the bricks with water after this will both clean them and help the dirt settle into the cracks. You may have to add more dirt after washing the bricks. Be careful not to over do it and create mud.

You may also enjoy:
Benefits of Mulch for Your Garden
Building Garden Trellis: A How to Guide
How to Use Coffee Grounds in the Garden