Adding a brick edging to a bed?
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (8)
Related Discussions
How to install brick edging on a berm?
Comments (3)If it were me, I'd adjust the grade of the landscape bed (within 3' of its edge) so that it was flush with the surrounding grade. It should not have been raised up above the surrounding grade. The edging you've chosen will not look like a professional solution. It is definitely in the homeowner-installed category. Mortar would not be necessary. Presumably, you'd be sinking it 50% of its height. It would be fine to set it on a 3-4" layer of tamped paver base (or any crushed material that packs tight and doesn't have pieces over 1/2" dia., as then it would be more difficult to work with.) Mortar is not necessary and would probably backfire when any changes were desired. It would probably not hold better than sinking the edging sufficiently....See MoreAdding a bed border to bottom of retaining wall
Comments (5)It would be great if our soil and drainage would handle direct planting, but the section between the wall and shed has terrible drainage. Our area is known for its drainage issues and while our backyard has two (French?) drains (can't find an exit for either one), that little area holds water in a puddle for days if not close to a week. Plus our soil is Memphis, TN clay. We plan on planting up the whole side of the yard (about 600 sq ft) and that little section is the worst. We think there is a dip in grade there that might be contributing to the problem. The idea is to do a few raised beds near that area and heavily amend the area farther away and try in ground planting there, but I am very open to ideas or suggestions. Thanks! Not sure if pic is helpful, but it's another more current view of wall to show area, you can kind of see a rough bounty laid out on other side of tiller....See Moreedging with bricks ... again
Comments (10)Good question, Ink. I'm suggesting raising the brick a little (3/4" to 1" is a ball park) not so high that the mower blade would strike it, unless one is scalping the lawn. (But we don't do that.) If placed flush, in many cases the grass will rapidly grow over the top and "eat up" the brick. Or, with edge trimming, the brick will begin to seem like it is deeply recessed. With some grasses it will become substantial. There is a certain "cushion" that the grass forms so that the lawn mower wheels never touch actual grade. The goal here is to treat the "cushion" as if it's part of the grade. Ideally, One might think of the top of this cushion as being level with the top of the brick. The loose blades of grass extend above it. So it depends a lot on grass type. With some Fescue or Bahia, that's barely at all. With Zoysia and Bermuda, it's greater. With St. Augustine, it would be quite high. St. Augustine forms such a thick cushion it seems like the soil is 3" down below the soles of your shoes. Like you are walking on air. Now, out of my own curiosity, next time I'm around St. Aug., I will measure from sole of shoe to soil and report back....See MorePerennial Bed Edging
Comments (12)Great suggestions/ideas. Thanks! If I do use the plastic edging, I would put it down just under the outside edge of the stone wall so that you wouldn't see it and it would (hopefully) stop the flow of grass from going under the wall. And, I think it would work really well as my grass isn't aggressive enough to spread under a 4 inch deep barrier. At first, I was thinking that the grass might make it's way through the crack between where the very top of the plastic edging meets the bottom of the stone wall, but now I'm thinking that I could make that connection pretty tight. I like that even better than the flexible rubber liner-like material. Cool! I've worked with that type of plastic edging before so I'm very familiar with it. I find it kind of frustrating to work with, as it has a tendency to behave kind-of like one of those "Whack a Mole" games during installation. When you push down in one area other areas pop up and so on, until it's all solidly in the ground. But, it's definitely a great suggestion and worth a shot. The reason why I would install it underneath the outside edge of the wall and not underneath the inside edge of the wall is that I tend to use the more irregular-shaped stones on the lower layers and I place them so that the outer edge is smooth and regular while the inside edge tends to be rather irregular and no one really sees that inside edge. Then the "cap stones" or top layer is fitted kind of like a puzzle so that both the outer edge and inner edge are smooth and regular and each "cap stone" piece is close to perfectly fitted to its neighboring pieces. Reason why I posted on the perennial forum is that I find you'all to be much more responsive to these types of questions. Thanks again!...See MoreNHBabs z4b-5a NH
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoperen.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
4 years agolinnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
4 years agoYardvaark
4 years agoeinportlandor
4 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGCreative Edges for Garden Borders and Paths
See how to finish your flower beds and pathways with stylish edgings of brick, steel or stone
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGGarden Edging: Clean Lines for Your Landscape
Brick, Metal, Wood or Concrete Edging Helps Keep Your Garden In Shape
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNYour Mini Guide to Great Garden Edges
Get the scoop on trenches to the skinny on bender board, to help keep your garden beds as tidy as you like
Full StoryECLECTIC HOMESHouzz Tour: Classic Spanish Style Gets a Modern Edge
Rounded curves, modern furniture and vintage ads mingle beautifully in a 1930s Los Angeles home
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNGive Your Garden an Industrial Edge
Create intriguing contrast by borrowing from the factory to dress up your organic setting
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Industrial-Edged Chic in Rotterdam
DIY efforts and unplanned aesthetics with happy results create a gorgeous home for a Dutch couple
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNGet an Edge: The Best Border Material for Your Garden
Do you want garden edging made of stone, concrete, metal or wood? Here are things to consider when choosing
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESGet Your Edge On: 11 Ideas for Style in the Fast Lane
Show off your personality and give your design a surprising twist with one of these slightly edgier touches
Full StoryMOST POPULARHow to Design a Colorful Flower Bed
Fall planting: Delight the eye through 3 seasons with bright flowers placed just right. Late summer is the time to plan
Full StoryINDUSTRIAL STYLE7 Ways to Get a Cool Industrial Edge Anywhere
Whether you call an old factory or a brand-new build home, these ideas can help you forge a raw industrial vibe
Full Story
mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)