How to Edge Flower Beds... Like a Pro!
My brother is a pro gardener, and many moons ago, he shared how he professionally edged flower beds.
I decided to implement his method into my own garden, and boy... I can't believe the instant difference it made! So I decided to write a blog post on his method, showing all the steps, not thinking too much about it after the thought.
Well, that one hot sunny day of picture shooting turned out to be a win. This post turned out to be one of my most frequently visited and copied tutorials! And that's because this method truly works.
This method of flowerbed edging transforms your flowerbeds from standard to showroom quality instantly! With standard garden tools and a little bit of elbow grease, it's easy to get this look, and not all that hard to keep up.
Are you ready to ditch deteriorating flower bed edges and go all natural and even more beautiful?
Here's how...
Welcome to my flower bed edges. Does this look similar to yours?
Let's fix this!
The main ingredient to this project is a simple half moon edger. No lie.
Re-map out a pretty and curvy or straight edge to your flowerbed, then 'cut' the edges straight up and down with a simple half moon edger.
Once the cut is made, create a trench with mounded soil in the opposite direction of the cut.
Then follow up with grass clippers.
Fluff up the rest of the flowerbed and you have a very pretty edge!
The key is the trench. It deeply defines the flower bed edge, and creates a place for the water to run.
The effect works with both mulch and soil too!
Here's a chart that shares the process and what you're ultimately trying to accomplish.
Come check out the original blog post HERE, which shows all 4 steps, as well as many other pretty after shots, PLUS an added video of the entire process!
NEW! I've written a Part 2 on how to refresh flower bed edges that you already have existing in an all new post, new pictures, PLUS a video!
Read Part 2 HERE
You will be amazed just how easy it is!
Think you'll give this method a go?
Comments
Join the conversation
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As I have told many, many customers...there is not such thing as a no maintenance anything. So in order to maintain that nice crisp vertical bed edge, it will require maintenance. Using a string trimmer or edger with every grass cut will keep the grass from creeping in to the bed. And yes with heavy rains, soil and mulch will end up in the trench. Here is a link to a very handy tool for maintaining that nice deep vertical edge...
A well sharpened long handle spade is also an invaluable tool for landscaping. It is my preferred tool for hand edging.
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My neighbor taught me to do this. I only have to redo it about once a year.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
The edge looks fantastic. Doesn't mud fill in the edge? A gardener used rubber edging for our planting beds, but critters eat on it. I will see if I can get help doing the physical stuff, but do want to try this method. Thanks.
We have edging. But I love the bird house. Did you make it? Or where did you get it?
How do you keep grass out when mowing the lawn?