Hello, my name is Tony and this is my concrete installation and maintenance blog. I am not a professional concrete contractor but I am very passionate about DIY. My dad was a contractor and when I was growing up he taught me all kinds of neat tips and tricks. Once time, he took me out into the yard and made me inspect the concrete wall. The concrete was crumbling away, exposing the metal bars beneath. My father explained that this was concrete cancer and then demonstrated how to repair the damage. I hope you find my blog useful and entertaining.
Adding a decorative border or edge around your lawn, landscaping, flower garden or any other area can add visual interest to the space and also provide a bit of protection against errant bikes and toys while also keeping moisture in the soil for added hydration. Consider a few easy and stylish garden or lawn edging materials you might consider at home and how to make them look their best.
River rocks
River rocks are smooth and polished so they have a nice appearance that enhances any landscaping feature. Trying to create an even edge for river rocks can be a challenge though, so it helps to set down a border between the lawn and the landscaping feature or flowerbed; this can be a simple row of plywood strips or even a length of garden hose. Add the river rock and gently nudge those rocks to the side of the wood or hose as you pour them and you'll have a clean and even border.
Paver stones
Paver stones left in their natural shape can work for a border when you don't necessarily want a straight and clean edge and prefer a more rustic look. One drawback with stones is that it's easy to incorrectly estimate their size when shopping and wind up with stones that are too wide or deep for a landscaping border. Take some measurements of your garden or landscaping and note the approximate size of stones you would need, from front to back. You may also need a tamper, which is like a flattened shovel that compacts the soil. This will keep the stones from shifting and sitting unevenly along the ground, and help keep them in place.
Concrete kerbing
Concrete kerbing may be the most versatile of all edging materials, as you can paint, stain, and stamp the material so it looks like a variety of brick or stone and coordinate that colour with your flowers or even your home's exterior siding. It's also fairly easy to pour concrete kerbing on your own if you like DIY projects; you only need forms and steel rods that you place in the middle of the kerbing to keep it solid, both of which you can usually buy at any garden supply store. The kerbing is extra strong, so it's a good choice for lining a driveway or a garden path that your children may tend to ride over on their bikes, and it won't come out of place over time.
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