Sunday, May 12, 2019

Learning To Use Bender Board Edging In Landscaping

By Kathleen Wright


Landscaping is not only fun but improves the value of a home. The process seems easy at first while in the design phase but one the layout begins it can become daunting quickly. One area that is often misunderstood is how to handle the clean, round designs of sweeping green grass pressed up against the rock or flower beds. Knowing what is available and how to use bender board edging will make the process very simple.

Two main types of the bendable border are available for the process. One is made from recycled plastic. The other is made with a wood composite. Both are flexible and easy to use when you know how. The plastic versions use 100% recycled plastic and can last a lifetime. The wood version will degrade over time, but lasts a very long time. There are advantages to using either material.

You will start by deciding where the borders will go and measure the distance. This is a very important step because you want to make sure you get the right amount and make the cuts where they need to be. The borders come in 20-foot sections and have varying widths so you can decide how wide you want it to be. Part of the decision at this time should be whether or not you want to have the border exposed or fully buried.

The next step involves digging a 6-wide trench. Do not discard the dirt since it will be put back in the trench later to fill in the material. The depth should be slightly deeper than the board material. When the trench is dug it is time to move on to the next step.

Pound stakes into the ground. The border is going to be placed on the grass side of the trench. When you put the stakes in the ground keep this in mind so the stakes will be away from the grass. Additional stakes will be needed to help secure the section ends.

Cut the material to length. If you are using a wood version you will want to soak it first to allow for flexibility. Once this is done, begin cutting the sections and placing them in the trench. Using a nail or screw to attach the material to the stake. Be sure the stake is away from the grass part of the lawn. Place an extra stake on the grass side of a section end to help hold the joints together.

The last step is to fill in the dirt. Once everything is in place and the border is secured to the stakes it is time to use the dirt that was removed. Fill it back into the trench burying the stakes and material. If your material is intended to be decorative you can leave an inch or less above the dirt. This makes a nice clean break between the grass turf and the flower beds or other landscaping.

Though landscaping can be a daunting task, with patience, planning, and the right tools you can create a beautiful lawn. Edging helps keep the turf in its place and provide a beautiful separation with a sweeping design. Doing it right will bring pleasure and ease of maintenance for years.




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