Add Edging to Enhance Your Lawn Design
Bill McRea

The edging of a garden is almost as important as the garden itself.
It's like a picture frame. The picture can be interesting and
beautiful, but it needs a frame to really enhance its appearance.



There are many different types of garden edgings. Many people
prefer to use something heavy and permanent, like a low brick wall, or
rocks set together with mortar. However, not everyone is physically
capable of creating such a structure.



Bricks set freely can be just as effective. They can be placed in a
simple line, end to end, or stacked in a double row, with gaps in
between. They can also be set diagonally, leaning against each other
for support.



Another attractive idea is to decorate short lengths of board with
old tiles. Tiles can often be purchased very cheaply from re-cycling
places. Glue your choice of tile along the board using an outdoor glue.
On each end of the board, tack a peg with one end pointed. This will be
used to push into the soil to support your board and keep it off the
ground.



Bush rocks are another easy idea to give your garden that finished
look. They need not be too big, unless you have plenty of muscle or
help. You may be able to gather rocks from a friends farm, or from the
bush if that is legal in your area. Otherwise, garden suppliers usually
have plenty to choose from.



Yet another idea is to create a living edging. Choose a plant that
will be suitable for your climate and conditions. The pretty pink of
alpine phlox is an attractive border and the plants can be divided and
planted again and again. Many other plants can be propagated in this
way, thus reducing the initial costs. Of course, your border will take
a little more time to get established than if you bought all the
necessary plants at once.



Gazanias are another hardy border plant that can be divided many
times. Bulbs might seem like a good choice too, but remember that they
will die down and leave your borders looking messy for ages. Also, they
remain dormant for at least six months, so if you plant anything else
there you risk damaging the bulbs. Of course, you can dig them up and
replace them with something else, but you may prefer a more permanent
border edge to save on the workload.



If you have a larger garden, comfrey is a plant to consider using
for an edging plant. Its thick growth habit will prevent any grasses
intruding into the garden, and the leaves can be pulled for excellent
mulch around roses or other plants. It has delightful, dainty flowers
in season too. However, a small garden could be overwhelmed by more
than one comfrey plant.



In a small garden attractive annuals like sweet alice, pansies,
violas or petunias make great borders. For something a bit different,
try an herb border. Then you can go out and pick your herbs any time
you want. Chives have a crisp green color that would make your garden
sparkle while strawberries will entice the kids out into the fresh air
to have a healthy snack.



Some people prefer to simply bevel an edge around their garden with
the shovel. This is a good option if your lawn has the sort of grass
with runners, like kikuyu. Those runners can be kept under control by
chopping them off every so often with the edge of the shovel.



Whatever option you choose, it will enhance your garden to have a beautiful edging.

Bill McRea is the publisher of over 100 information related websites. Premeir sites include kansasfans.com, guitarwarehouse.com, 24hour-info.com and knowninfo.com. Bill has published over 300 articles covering dozens of topics.

More information for the weekend gardener.