How to Edge a Garden Bed

Edging a flower bed not only keeps the soil and mulch in place, it also accents the shape of any bed. Loose flower beds with no real edging can seem sloppy and too wild. With good edging, there is a sense of formality. Edging can also bring out some of the smaller flowers that can get lost in the crowd.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Square shovel
• Rubber mallet
• Edging materials such as blocks, bricks or metal edging for curves
• Garden hose
• Coarse sand

1. Saturate dry soil. Define where edging will go by laying out garden hose in the determined shape. Keep hose in place by holding it down with bricks or rocks.

2. Dig a trench along the proposed edge of your bed with straight-edged shovel. The trench should be at least 2 inches deep or the same depth of edging material.

3. Spread coarse sand into trench to ensure an even surface to lay edging material. The sand will help hold whatever edging materials you choose into place.

4. Position edging material such as edging blocks side by side. Make sure the material is even. Tap with a rubber mallet to level the edging blocks. Fill the empty spaces with soil.

Tips & Warnings

• Pick edging materials that have a color that won't dominate the flower bed's hues. You don't want to edge a yellow and blue flower bed with orange bricks!