Garden borders. You may be wondering “what is a garden edging?! If you have a garden and want to get the most out of it or simply want to learn something new today, continue with this article. In it we will see what garden borders are, the main types of borders that are marketed, as well as how to carry out their installation.
What are garden edging
It is an essential complement both in gardening and landscaping, since they perform a double function. On the one hand, they perfectly fulfill their functional objective, replacing the brick, stone or cobblestone separators with which the classic flowerbeds were made.
And on the other hand, they also fulfill their aesthetic function, allowing different and creative designs to be made both in gardens and flower beds.
Borders can delimit different areas of our garden, either at different levels, or at the same level.
Garden Edging Design 1
The first case could serve to embrace a floral ensemble, forming a flower bed, in which case on the inside, the ground would have a higher height than it will have on the outside, leaving the border visible.
In the second case, the borders are hidden or practically hidden, since their mission is to separate the same level different materials such as different varieties of soil (with different colours), gravel, gravel, grass, pine bark, etc. In this case, the borders integrate perfectly with the garden as a whole, making it possible to create impressive and varied designs that, otherwise, would be very complicated and expensive to carry out and, above all, impossible for them to last over time.
Garden borders are made of different materials, some of which have a specific purpose. They have also been designed for both public and residential applications of all kinds.
Next we will see the main types of borders depending on the material in which they are made.
Garden Edging Design 2
Garden edging classes
Everything in this life is constantly evolving, both in terms of material goods, and if we refer to the personal level. Well, gardening and landscaping were not going to be less and, specifically, one of the improvements we are referring to is the introduction of different materials in the manufacture of borders.
Therefore, the classification that we are going to see below is made based on the material from which they are made.
For the realization of this article, we have needed to consult technical information about it. After much searching on the internet, we have chosen a company with extensive experience in everything related to borders and garden decoration, bitter.
Technical Wood Borders
This type of borders are composed of 80% composite, and the remaining 20% wood fiber.
Some of its characteristics are: flexibility, durability, do not splinter, do not rot, 100% recyclable, light and easy to handle.
It is sold in coils, which makes it as easy as possible to transport it.
Garden edging in technical wood
Plastic edges in coil
They are made of PVC (polypropylene), and they are very cheap while, thanks to their enormous flexibility, they allow great creativity to be developed, making curved designs and almost impossible shapes possible.
They are easy to put on. You can find them in three colors (green, brown and black), which is more than enough.
Plastic borders are suitable for professionals as well as for DIY and gardening enthusiasts.
Plastic garden edging in coil
Plastic T-edges
These are made of recycled PVC, while they are also recyclable. Therefore, it is an environmentally friendly product, in addition to perfectly fulfilling its function.
Contrary to what it may seem, they are suitable for both straight and curved designs, due to their flexibility. Its T-shape allows lines to be perfect and without undulations.
They resist UV rays, low temperatures and humidity.
T-shaped plastic garden edging
Steel edges with clip system
This type of edging is very easy to install, and with its fastening system (like a clip) you will have the edging in place in no time! You can create limits in your garden in a very elegant way.
Steel edging with Multi-Edge clip system
For example, the Multi-edge steel edges are very stable but also flexible, so you can create corners or curves with them if that is what you want. Their 10cm spikes will keep them fixed on the ground and zero maintenance.
The best of all? These borders are available in different finishes, such as corten steel, white or black lacquer…so you can always find the one that best suits your garden.
.
Minimalist style garden with steel edging with Multi-Edge clip system
Galvanized Steel Edging
This type of border does not require any type of maintenance. In addition, their installation is quite simple, since they are assembled and installed in the blink of an eye, without the need for foundations or welding.
These borders are fixed to the ground using 3 mm thick steel stakes.
Galvanized steel is a robust material that is highly resistant to corrosive environments.
Garden edging in galvanized steel
L-shaped steel garden edging
They are made of galvanized steel. Like the plastic borders in T, these avoid undulations when making straight lines.
They are installed with a connection system between the different pieces, as well as with nails for fixing them to the ground.
The considerable danger of cuts that a steel plate would represent, they have completely eliminated by folding the upper edge and leaving it with a thickness of 2.5mm.
Edging for garden in Steel in L
Aluminum Edges
Aluminum Garden Edging Stake
They have a patented fixing and connection system that simplifies their installation. They are also anchored to the ground by aluminum stakes, which provides greater robustness to the whole.
These garden edgings are very flexible and light, as well as resistant since they do not crack or rust.
Aluminum garden edging
Stainless Steel Edges
Like the previous ones, these are very easy to install. The steel in which they are made has a significant elasticity, making it possible to bend the profile at angles of up to 20º.
Likewise, the upper edge has a blunt shape, in order not to pose a danger due to accidental injuries.
Garden edging in stainless steel
Other types of borders
We can find many other types of borders, among which we can mention those made of natural wood, less durable than those mentioned above.
Wood garden edging
We can also find others made of concrete, stone, brick, railway sleepers, and endless materials.
Concrete garden borders
Garden Edging Installation
The installation of garden borders is not excessively complicated, you just have to be a little crafty.
Step 1
The first thing to do is rethink the terrain, that is, think about exactly what we want to do. If we put our thoughts on paper by making a simple freehand drawing, even better. We have to take into account the areas that we want to delimit and the design that we want to give it.
We must also calculate approximately the amount of material that we will need. In the case of borders, we would only have to know the linear meters. The number of pegs, connections and other auxiliary material will be indicated by the distributor where we buy the material, depending on the linear meters.
Step 2
Next, we reflected on the ground the design that we had planned in the first step. We can do this using plaster or powdered plaster to draw the lines.
Step 3
Once the terrain is “drawn”, we have to make some small ditches along the marked areas. To do this, depending on the hardness of the ground, we can use a pickaxe, a hoe or simply an adze.
Once the trench has been emptied, we introduce the border and anchor it with the fixing pegs. In the case of plastic and technical wood edges that come in coils, you have to try to tighten them well, since over time they could loosen and become flaccid.
Garden Edging Installation
In the case of the coils, we unroll little by little and anchor. In the case of rigid borders, we put a piece, we anchor it with the pegs, we assemble it with the second piece to which we will also put its corresponding pegs, and so on.
Step 4
Once the entire design is anchored, we proceed to cover the ditches, and tamp the earth with the same hoe.
Step 5
Finally, it only remains to fill in the different delimited areas, with earth, gravel or the different materials that we have chosen.
As you can see, it is not overly complicated. However, as a picture is worth a thousand words, here is a link to a video explaining how to install wooden borders.
