How to Create a Garden Edge

Overview

Create an inviting and beautiful garden edge using mulch. Mulch is an inexpensive material that can be added to create any shape and size border. Add a curve to your border for an interesting design, which will draw your eye into the garden area. Depending upon your design, create a wide or narrow border that will contrast nicely with the garden and grass. Along the edge install solar lights for a warm and magical glow at night.

Step 1

Take a garden hose and mark the lines of your garden edge. Using an edge hog, which can create trenches around garden beds and borders, cut a 1 ½-inch deep line into the soil. The wheels on an edge hog allow for easy mobility and help to create curves.

Step 2

Using a spade, deepen the existing cut to 4 to 6 inches into the soil, where the edge hog left the indentation in the grass. If you are cutting into a brand new bed, cut and remove the turf on the inside of the bed with a spade. The goal is to create a garden edge that is a 90-degree angle.

Step 3

Cut 2 to 4 inches of grass from the edge using hand shears. This will help to keep the edge looking groomed. Repeat steps during the season to keep edges looking tidy.

Step 4

Spread 3 to 4 inches of mulch around the bed. Spread the mulch into the trench, beginning from the bottom of the edge of the bed where the grass line starts, and up to the edge of the garden bed. Your garden bed should now be level with the rest of the space. The mulch will add a rich, dramatic color to your new garden edge. It will also hinder weeds from shooting up.