Adding edging around your garden or landscape is as important as the
garden itself. The edging frames your garden much like a picture frame. A
picture can be interesting and beautiful but it needs a frame to enhance its
appearance, so it is with your garden.
There are various 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 alternative is to decorate short lengths of board with old
tiles. Tiles can often be purchased very cheaply from re-recycling places.
Glue your choice of tile along the board using 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 can also be used 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 friend's farm, or from the bush if that is legal in
your area. Otherwise, garden suppliers usually have plenty to choose
from.
How about flowering plants or shrubbery to create a living border. 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. In addition, 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. For more ideas on creating a border for your garden, visit
the links at the bottom of the page.
For more information, visit these sites: The Garden Info Center and The Garden Design Guide
David Chandler, The Stock Market Genie
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