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How to Edge Your Garden with Bricks for a Classic and Functional Border
Benefits of Brick Edging
Brick edging adds a touch of classic elegance to your garden while providing several functional benefits:
- Enhances the visual appeal of your landscape
- Protects your lawn from damage
- Creates a noticeable barrier to prevent accidental mowing of the garden
- Suppresses weed growth
Before You Start
- Choose a sunny day for your project, as the bricks need time to set.
- Determine the desired location and shape of your edging.
- Purchase clay pavers, also known as severe-weather-rated bricks, for durability.
Materials and Tools
Equipment:
- Rubber mallet
- Garden shovel
- Tamper
- Cultivator (optional)
- Trowel
Materials:
- Wooden stakes
- Twine
- Sand
- Cement
Instructions
Assembling a Mason’s Line
- Mark the desired location of your edging with wooden stakes.
- Tie twine around each stake, stretching it tautly between them. This will serve as a guideline for digging your trench.
Lining the Path with Bricks
- Set bricks along the twine path to determine the quantity you need.
- Once all bricks are in place, move them out of the way for the next step.
Digging the Trench
- Dig a trench along the Mason’s line, approximately 2-3 inches deep and flat-bottomed using a shovel.
- Test the fit of the bricks in the trench to ensure they fit snugly.
Preparing the Soil for a Garden Bed (Optional)
- If creating a new garden bed, cultivate the soil within the edge line using a cultivator.
- Add soil amendments and nutrients as needed.
Filling the Trench with Base
- Mix sand and cement in a 4:1 ratio to create a thick paste.
- Spread the paste along a small section of the trench using a trowel.
Adding the Bricks
- Lay bricks in the trench one at a time, pressing them firmly into the paste.
- Use a rubber mallet to gently tap the bricks flush with the ground.
- For corners or curves, use a pickaxe to adjust the trench or bricks as needed.
Backfilling Both Sides
- Once the edge is complete, backfill both sides of the bricks with dug-up soil for added stability.
Pushing Soil to the Bricks
- Fill the garden bed with soil up to the bricks.
Washing Off the Bricks
- Spray the bricks gently with a garden hose to remove excess dirt.
- Allow the bricks to set in the paste for 2-3 days.
Tips
- Use a level to ensure the bricks are even.
- Stagger the bricks for added strength.
- Avoid overloading the trench with paste, as this can weaken the bond between the bricks.
- Water the bricks occasionally during the curing process to prevent cracks.
Edging a Garden with Bricks on a Budget
- Consider using salvaged or used bricks.
- Purchase bricks in bulk for a lower cost per unit.
- Rent a trenching machine to save time and effort.
Edging a Garden with Bricks without Digging a Trench
- Use a brick paver adhesive to bond the bricks directly to the ground.
- Create a raised garden bed with bricks stacked on top of each other.
- Install interlocking brick pavers that can be simply snapped together without a base.
