This article contains affiliate links
When it comes to landscaping your garden the most interesting designs are a break from the norm. The great majority of gardens are always laid out the same way!
Straight flower borders, square patios and rectangular lawns. Implementing curves and organic shapes can really spice up a garden’s aesthetic qualities. Curves can soften hard lines and bring much more visual diversity to an outside space.
As landscape edging defines the primary structure of a garden one must explore the best edging materials for creating curves.
There are many flimsy, plastic, garden edging products on the market today. In this article I will not include these products as they are bad for the environment and generally bad value. Installing such flimsy edgings will lead to failure and extra waste. Therefore, in this article, I will list the 5 best garden edgings for curves that will last the test of time. Granite sets
Granite setts are robust cubes of natural stone which are extremely hardwearing. These also look very effective as a garden edging and border to hard surfaces. The standard size of square setts is about 100mm x 100mm. The small unit size makes them perfect for creating organic shapes and curves. Setts need to be bedded down onto a strong mortar on top of a compacted sub-base. Why not read our article which explains how much it costs to install curved granite sett edgings. Bricks
Bricks are a fantastic material for creating curves within the garden. Like setts, their multiple, units can be laid to gradually form curved edging and retaining features. Bricks are an extremely hard wearing material with colours that do not fade over time. Like setts these will need a solid sub-base or even a concrete foundation to lay as edging. This can be costly and labour intensive but will last for many decades. Why not visit our article which explains how much it costs to install curved brick edging. Block paving
Like bricks, block paving are another great option for creating curved edging. These can be bedded down onto a well compacted sub-base layer on a strong mortar mix. The best block paving for forming curves is the three sizes variety as shown in the image below. These have a 'cobble effect' aesthetic and seeing they come in grey tones their colours fade less than pinks, brindles, charcoals and buffs. However, to make perfect curves with these you will have to cut angles to the blocks as shown below. Gravel boards
Timber gravel boards are a great way to create curved garden edging. This is especially so if you want thin edging which is not that noticeable. To make the boards more flexible you can make a series of vertical cuts along their length. These boards are traditionally used to separate fence panels from the ground level. Although they are treated with preservatives these will still degrade after around 15 years. Flexible metal edging
If you want curved edging with a contemporary feel, flexible, metal edging could be a good choice. The great thing about this edging is it is almost invisible between two surfaces. This can make two materials look like there is no junction between them at all. Although metal edging is good for cures it does not have much retaining strength. Consequently for extra strength you may wish to encase its prongs within a concrete foundation. One of the best metal edgings on the market today is Core-edge.
Thank you for reading our article on the best garden edges for curves. If you require curved garden edging installation please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our installers are experts in garden edging installation using all the materials and products mentioned. Below I will link to some more articles you may find relevant.
'As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
0 Comments
This article contains affiliate links
When searching for the best garden edging for around trees there are many factors to consider.
Generally, edging for trees is in place to retain mulch, gravel and other loose materials. Very often edging around trees acts as a retaining edge to adjacent vehicular or pedestrian surfaces. This is especially so with materials such as tarmac or resin bound aggregates. Ultimately the best edging for trees will depend on if your trees are young or more established specimens. Best garden edging for young trees
If you have planted a young tree in your garden over the coming years its roots will expand. This will cause ground movement which will potentially distort and break through new edging. Therefore, the best garden edging for young trees will be flexible and not require deep installation. Even with a more flexible edging it would be advised to give the tree as much room to grow as possible. Flexiborder
Flexiborder is a flexible garden edging made from recycled rubber. The edging comes in easy to install sections which can be curved to fit any shape. Each section can be secured with pegs which fit neatly into the edgings surface. As this edging sits closer to grounds surface it has less chance of being disturbed by tree roots. Core Edge Metal edging
Core Edge Metal edging is a contemporary and robust metal garden edging. This flexible edging is perfect for retaining lawn, bark and numerous landscape aggregates. This edging comes with vertical, anchor, prongs which can be fixed into the ground. The edging system is perfect to mitigate any ground movement around the trees as they grow. Best garden edging for established trees
Established trees have already disrupted the ground to a large extent during their growing process. This means you have less potential, future, movement from growing roots and expanding trunks. However established trees have very robust root structures around their base. This can make it almost impossible to excavate around or install materials to their circumference. Consequently, the best edging for around established trees is heavier masonry installations. This includes materials such as brick and block edgings. For thin and curved edgings timber gravel boards are the best for around established trees. This is because square slots can be cut out to accommodate roots where necessary. Gravel Boards
Gravel boards are treated, flexible, timber boards traditionally used in fencing. As a timber material these boards can be cut and worked in a number of ways. This is very advantageous when submerging edging around the perimeter of established trees. Slots can be cut out to avoid large roots when installing as edging. Gravel boards are also very flexible making them perfect for forming organic shapes. Bricks Edging
Laying brick edging can be a little labour intensive and expensive. However this type of edging provides a robust edge that will last the test of time. Brick edging provides a broad width which reduces the risk of bark and gravels scattering. It can also provide the perfect mowing edge for lawns. Why not check out our article on how much it costs to install brick edging here. Block Edging
Block paving has very much the same credentials of brick edging. Around established trees block edging can form a robust retainer to mulch and aggregates. As blocks come in a wide variety of styles and materials they provide a lot of choice. The combined weight of the blocks, aggregates and mortar results in a sturdy, edging solution for around trees. If you want to read our article on how to lay blocks as edging see our resource here. If you want to see how much it costs to install block edging visit our article here. Thank you for reading our article on the best garden edging for around trees. Below I have included some other relevant garden edging articles you may find useful.
'As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
There is nothing more frustrating than mowing your lawn only to have to strim around the edges.
This is a common occurrence when your lawns edges meet vertical features such as paving paths, walls or raised beds. The best way to illuminate this issue is to install mow over edging or mow strips. These, ideally, will be at least 100mm in width so your mower overhangs enough to cut all edges efficiently. There are a few products and ways to install mowing strops efficiently. In this article I will list 5 of the best mow-over edging ideas for easy mowing. Can you mow over lawn edging?
You can mow over lawn edging if it is the same level or ‘flush’ as the existing grass. Retaining edging or edging which is higher than the grass level should not be mown over. This is because raised edging could collide with the mowers blade. This could damage both your garden edging and your lawn mower. What is the best edging for a lawn?
The best edging for a lawn is one that retains the edge of the lawn neatly and securely. The perfect lawn edging will also be in keeping with the gardens design and facilitate easy mowing. What is a mow strip?
A mow strip is a strip of material which borders your lawns perimeter at the same level as the lawn. The strip will ideally be made of a strong and robust material which will not degrade over time. Mow strips have a width of around 100mm which allows mowers enough over hang to cut edges effectively. This can bee seen in the image above on the right hand side of the lawn. Why install mow strip edging?
A mow strip edging can make mowing the edges of your lawn much easier. There will be no need to go around your lawns edge with a strimmer afterwards. Having mow strip edging around the perimeter of your lawn at the same level also looks good. This is especially so if you use a coloured edging which contrasts the green grass. I often find cream porcelain and black slate are perfect as mow edging for this aesthetic. The best mow over lawn edging – 5 choicesBrick edging
Brick edging makes the perfect mow strip edging material. It is durable, versatile and comes in many colours and styles. Brick mow strips can be lengthways or widthways in a soldier course. The only drawback with bricks is they can be costly to install. Why not check out our article on how much does it cost to install a brick mow strip edge? Block paving edging
Block paving can be laid as mow, strip, edging in exactly the same way as bricks are. Block paving blocks can be set in next to the lawn at the same height as the ground. This will provide a seamless mow over edge! Like brick mow strips you will need to base your blocks properly. The best way to do this is excavate a trench and form a layer of compacted hardcore. The best material for this is compactable mot type 1 sub-base. Blocks can then be laid on a 1:4 cement sharp sand mortar mix. Why not check out our article on how to lay block paving as edging step by step. Paving edgings
Paving can also make very effective, mow-over, lawn edging. This is even more effective when you use the same paving as your patio or garden paths. This helps to keep your lawn in sync with the rest of your gardens design. If you wish to create mow strip edging out of paving simply cut them neatly into strips. This can be done with an angle grinder and a diamond cutting blade. Then simply bed down your edgings onto a solid and strong mortar bed. Make sure you base up your paving mow strips as you would a patio. This will make them robust so they do not move or sink over time. Why not check out our article on how much do paving mow strips cost to install. Timber edging
There are a few different methods for creating timber mow strips. The first way is to set timber sleepers into the ground so they are level with the grass. This can also be achieved with 6x2 treated timbers, however this will only provide you with a 50mm overhang for your mower. Both 6x2 and sleepers will also be no good if you want curved mowing edges. For curves your best option is to install timber gravel boards fixed to 50mm timber pegs. However it must be said that timber is never the best material for outside construction. In times of excessive damp wood can become slippery and it will also eventually degrade. Stainless steel flexible edging
Stainless steel and flexible, metal, edging is becoming more popular for edging lawns and borders. However, metal edging will only be effective as a mow edge if the lawn does not meet vertical structures. Flexible metal edging only makes a good mow edging if the lawn is higher than surrounding surfaces. However the thin, curved, metal looks very aesthetic as an edge to contemporary lawns. Thank you for reading our article on the best mow over lawn edging. If you require mow over edging installation do not hesitate to contact us below. Below I will link to some other, relevant articles you may find informative.
'As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
Flower borders provide some much loved greenery and colour into our gardens. However, very often, there is a need to install garden edging to create more defined growing areas
This is to reduce the encroachment of grass from lawns and help retain soil and mulch. In this article I will list and describe the very best garden edging for flower borders on the market. What is the best garden edging for around flower beds?
The best edging for around flower borders will be both durable and weather resistant. It will also be wide enough to prevent grass encroachment and retain mulches and gravels. Below I have listed some of the most effective flower bed edging which sits flush at ground level. This is the most favoured type of edging for where borders meet lawn. This is because the flush edging creates an easy mowing edge. Block edging
Block edging comes in many forms but is commonly a concrete block designed for driveways. Block paving comes in many shapes, colours and styles and is perfect for garden edging. Such block pavers are great for laying flush edging along the boundaries of lawns and flower beds. Block edging creates effective mowing strips which can also retain gravels and bark. Why not read ourstep by step guide on laying block paving as edging here. Brick edging
Bricks, like block paving can create very effective edgings to flower borders. Bricks can be laid as border edging in a number of ways. The most popular way is a soldier course laid flush with the ground. This can also create the perfect, mowing edge, strip, providing plenty of overhang for lawn mowers. Bricks can also be laid half submerged vertically or at an angle to create different edging effects. Timber edging
Timber can also be utilised to create garden edging in a variety of ways. For straight and rigid edging, sleepers or 6x2 timber is typically installed to edge flower borders. For curved edgings treated, timber, gravel boards are a more favoured choice. These boards can be levered into position with bars and fixed to timber pegs driven deep into subsoil. Gravel boards can create a thin and inconspicuous timber edging for flower borders like in the example below. Metal edging
Flexible metal edging has now become a very popular garden edging for flowerbeds. The thin, metallic, edging can create a modern and contemporary feel to any garden. These edgings are easy to connect into long lengths and easy to work into any shape. One of the most effective brands on the market is Core edge flexible metal edging. Flexi border
Flexi border is a rubber based, garden edging product, made from recycled tyres. This robust but flexible edging is perfect for edging flower borders. The edging is slightly raised to accommodate bark chippings, mulch and gravels. It can be pegged into position meaning no costly excavation or concrete base installation. Best retaining edging for flower beds
The best garden edging for flower beds is not always flush with the surrounding surfaces. Very often, flowerbed edging provides a junction between two, varying, surface levels. This means the edging will need to be strong enough to help retain soil or other materials. Therefore, here I will list and describe the best retaining edging for flower borders. Spiked border log roll
Spiked log roll edging is a flexible edging ideal for bordering the front of flowerbeds. The edging has an attractive and orderly aesthetic and is easy to install. Although the edging will retain a very shallow depth of soil it will not retain more than 50mm efficiently. Bear in mind this edging will degrade after around 15 years. Kerb edgings
Kerb edgings come in many shapes and styles and can look very effective around flower borders. These kerbs are robust and are suitable for retaining a greater depth of topsoil. However, kerbs will need to be bedded on a strong mortar mix onto a robust, concrete or compacted hardcore sub-base. Concrete path edgings
Concrete path edgings also come in many colours and styles but are always similar in shape. These long, rectangular, edgings are perfect for edging straight paths and flower borders. Their long and horizontal profile makes them easy to haunch into position with strong mortar or concrete. These edgings however are not effective at retaining large quantities of soil. They are also not suitable for curves or organic shapes. Sleeper edging
Timber sleepers are a strong and durable material and very popular edging for planting beds. Sleepers are typically fixed to treated timber posts concreted into the ground. The sleepers are also set in under the soil level so they form a robust retaining edge. The only drawback is this sleeper edging method is only good for straight borders. If you want curvy sleeper edging, you will need to cut them into sections and set them in vertically. This can be achieved by excavating a linear trench and concreting in the sleepers like posts. Each sleeper can be gently rotated to form a gentle curve to flower borders. However, forming curves with sleepers vertically is much more labour intensive and expensive. Brick wall edging
Building low retaining brick walls is one of the most durable methods of building retaining flower bed edging. Bricks can also be laid to pretty much any shape including different angles and curves. With so many different styles of bricks to choose from, they can pretty much match any garden style. Just be prepared that building any type of retaining brickwork is often costly. The brickwork will need a robust concrete foundation and required skilled labour for a neat finish.
Thank you for reading our article on the best garden edging for flower borders. If you require garden edging installation including brickwork, paving or timber edge construction, do not hesitate to contact us.
Our landscaping services cover much of Buckinghamshire including; Amersham, Aylesbury, Bovingdon, Chalfont, Chesham, Hyde Heath, Great Missenden, Princes Risborough, High Wycombe, Penn, Beaconsfield, Tring, Gerrard's Cross and Denham. Below I will link to some of our other edging articles you may find relevant.
'As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
When it comes to garden and landscape edging there are really two main types, Retaining edging which can retain soil and aggregates or flush edging level with surrounding surfaces.
Flush edgings are great as acting as junctions between varying surfaces and creating bold lines. They are also extremely effective for bordering pathways and creating mowing strips. However, retaining edging needs to be a little bit more robust than flush edgings. Retaining quantities of aggregates and soil requires a certain level of strength and durability. It is amazing just how many retaining edgings on the market are not fit for purpose. Products such as flimsy plastic borders and timber log-strips are not ideal for retaining soil within raised beds. Here I will list five of the best solutions for robust edgings for raised beds and retaining soil. What is the best material for raised garden beds?
The best materials for raised garden beds will be both aesthetically pleasing and robust enough to withstand the weight of wet soil. They will also have adequate qualities and a reasonable thickness to resist degradation from natural elements. Bricks
Bricks are very durable building materials which come in a wide variety of colours and styles. If you are planning to install edging which will form raised beds brickwork is a good option. As with any other brick construction you will need to lay a level, concrete, foundation, first. If you your raised bed is only retaining about 200mm of soil a single brick thickness should be adequate. However, if your raised beds are much taller you may want to install a double row of bricks. A brick laid on edge is a very aesthetically pleasing way to form edging for raised beds.
Raised bed built with marshalite rustic walling bricks
Concrete blocks
Concrete blocks are another effective building material for forming raised edgings for garden beds. Concrete blocks in essence, are very similar to bricks but actually provide you more choice. Concrete blocks can be rendered, tiled or clad with external cladding materials. This means you can easily blend your raised beds with your existing garden design. If you do use concrete blocks for raised edgings make sure you do not buy thermalite blocks. These are much lighter and not ideal for external construction.
Raised beds built with concrete blocks and stack slate cladding
Path edging kerbs
Path edging kerbs are another great edging option for raised beds. These are typically made with concrete and have a basic aesthetic. There are also more decorative types on the market including rope top edging and round top edging. These also come in a range of colours to choose from. It is worth noting that these edgings are long and shallow in form. This only really makes them suitable for very shallow raised beds. Ideally you will have half the edging submerged underground in concrete. Generally this means your maximum raised bed height would be around 75mm. Kerb edgings
Kerb edgings are much more bulky and are typically manufactured for use with block paving. These edging kerbs can be used to edge flower borders, lawns or build steps. Kerb edgings are made of concrete and come in a wide range of colours, styles and finishes. The most common of these are bull nose and chamfered edging blocks. Like all raised bed edgings described here, kerb edgings require a well compacted base or concrete foundation. They should be laid on such using a strong cement and sharp sand mortar mix. Sleepers
One of the most popular materials used as edging for raised beds is timber sleepers. Sleepers are robust sections of timber that were traditionally used to base railway lines. A typical sleeper is about 125mm x 250mm x 2.4 metres long. This makes them extremely durable and tough, perfect for retaining quantities of soil. Sleepers are also much faster and easier to install than masonry edgings. However, it is important to remember sleepers are still an organic material and will degrade after around 15 years.
Thank you for reading our article on the best edgings for raised beds. If you are local to Buckinghamshire and need help installing edgings please contact us. Below I will include some other relevant articles you may find useful.
'As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
Very often today, traditional landscaping is square and boring, However, this doesn’t have to be the case!
There is always a good case for more organic shapes and forms within the garden. Circles are actually the most common shape found in nature; therefore, it is a wonder why there are not more circular features within backyard landscaping. Consequently, we are going identify the best garden edgings for forming circles. I will only list non plastic and durable options which will last the test of time. Bricks
Bricks are a common building material and come in a wide variety of textures, colours and styles. When bricks are laid on edge they utilise a much narrower face. If this is laid to a long circumference bricks can easily form a circle very effectively. This makes bricks a perfect material for laying circular edging. However, if you have smaller circles you may wish to cut your bricks narrower or with slight angles. This will enable you to form a circular edging over less distance.
One of our circular edging projects using Ashdown bricks in Aylesbury Bucks
Block pavers
Block paving like bricks come in a wide variety of products and styles. These can easily be laid to curves and circles when installing garden edging. For tighter circles and curves, blocks can be cut to reach a seamless curve. One of the best ways to lay circles with block paving is utilise the smallest of the three sizes blocks. These are small enough to angle gradually to form a complete circle, like in our example project below.
An example of our circular block paving edging in Amersham, Buckinghamshire
Granite sets
Granite sets are beautiful and robust building materials which have been used for hundreds of years. These cubes of granite of both extremely weather resistant and durable, perfect for garden edging. As square granite setts are around 100mm square they are perfect for laying circular edging. The best way to do this is laying to a string line attached to a central point. As you lay make sure you maintain the same distance from the central point. Gravel boards
If you would like a much thinner, circular, edging then timber gravel boards are a good solution. You may need to cut score lines half way through the timber however to get them to bend! It is also good to know that timber, gravel boards are much more flexible when they are wet. You will need to make sure you have driven anchor pegs in the shape of a perfect circle first. Boards can then be levered around the posts and screwed into position. Flexible metal edging
Flexible metal edging is a good option if you want to install contemporary style, circular edging. Just bear in mind however that forming a perfect circle can be tricky. You may need to create a perfectly circular foundation first and anchor it with concrete. Alternatively Core-edge now manufactures pre-formed circular edging for around trees and shrubs featured below.
Thank you for reading our article on the best garden edging for circles. If you require a garden edging installer or garden landscaper contact us.
We cover most of Buckinghamshire including; Amersham, Aylesbury, Bovingdon, Chalfont, Chesham, Hyde Heath, Great Missenden, Princes Risborough, High Wycombe, Penn, Beaconsfield, Tring, Gerrard's Cross and Denham.
'As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
Gravel is one of the most versatile and cost effective landscaping surfaces available. However, as a loose aggregate locating the best edging for gravels can be challenging!
Gravel can easily displace and escape its designated location. Therefore the best edging for gravel surfaces will be robust and permanent. There are so many plastic edging products on the market that are just too flimsy for retaining gravel. Consequently, I have identified 5 materials which I feel are the very best for retaining gravel. All of these will require some level of cost and labour to install. However, they are a permanent solution which will last the test of time and save you money in the long run. Granite setts
I am putting forward granite setts here but any natural stone sett is ideal for retaining gravel. Not only are setts strong they have a 100mm width which can catch any displaced gravel. Any escaped gravel can simply be swept back onto the gravel surface without falling into surrounding areas. Setts are laid on a solid, mortar, bed making them strong enough to retain large quantities of aggregate. It is typical to also apply a triangular mortar haunch to the edge of setts. This strengthens their vertical profile and enhances their retaining capabilities. Block paving
Block paving is not to everyone’s taste but there are many paving products which come under this category. For edging gravel I find the three sizes types such as Marshalls tegula pavers are perfect. These grey pavers have a cobble effect and laid as edging can look very effective. These like granite setts will need to be based with a compacted sub-base. They will also need to be bedded down onto a strong and consistent mortar bed. These pavers typically have a width of around 160mm making them very effective at containing loose gravel. Why not read our step by step guide on how to lay block paving as edging here. Brick edging
Bricks are a favoured building material for building all sorts of landscape features. Bricks not only have an effective visual texture there colours never face and are easy to keep clean. There are two options when laying bricks as gravel edging; single course or double course. A single course is simply a brick laid lengthways in a continuous edging. This will provide you an edging with a width of about 100mm. However a double course will normally consist of a series of bricks laid on their side. This will provide much wider gravel edging of around 200m. Such a wide edging (as shown below) is an effective way to keep gravel contained. Gravel boards
Gravel boards are a staple way to provide cost effective and fast edging solutions in landscaping. These treated timber boards are traditionally manufactured for fencing installations. The boards are fixed under fencing panels and cladding to prevent contact with the soil below. However, these boards can also create effective edging for gravel. Gravel boards are very flexible making them great for creating curves and organic shapes. There are some drawbacks however to using timber gravel boards. Firstly they are thin which means gravel will find it easier to escape. Being made of timber they will eventually degrade after around 15 years. Flexible metal edging
If you want a near invisible, flexible and contemporary style edging for gravel, flexible metal edging is the best choice. Even though this edging is very thin it is extremely strong and weather resistant. I always say broader edgings are best for gravel but flexible metal edging is the most inconspicuous option. This edging typically comes with vertical prongs that can be tapped down into the soil. Alternatively, for extra strength, these can be set into concrete to enhance their retaining strength.
Thank you for reading our suggestions for the best edging for gravel surfaces.
If you require garden edging services or landscaping services do not hesitate to contact us. We serve most of Buckinghamshire with typical project areas including; Amersham, Aylesbury, Bovingdon, Chalfont, Chesham, Hyde Heath, Great Missenden, Princes Risborough, High Wycombe, Penn, Beaconsfield, Tring, Gerrard's Cross and Denham. Below I will link to some other articles you may find useful;
'As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
Garden edging can help to retain different surfaces and define various garden spaces. However, not all types of edging are suitable for every scenario.
This is particularly the case if you have a challenging soil type such as clay. During winter clay can soak up water like a sponge rapidly expanding and becoming sticky. In summer it can dry out and shrink causing it to bake hard. Such seasonal variation can be detrimental to edging on clay soil. The best edging for clay soil should be robust and based upon a reasonable depth of compactable hardcore. This is so it is not affected by seasonal variations and ground movement. Brick edging
Bricks are an extremely durable form of garden edging which can be used to edge multiple garden features. These clay blocks can make perfect mow strips and retaining edging for various aggregates. Bricks can be completely immune to volatile movements within clay soil if laid correctly. Bricks will need to be laid on a strong mortar mix on top of a well compacted sub-base. Path edging kerbs
Path edging kerbs come in a wide variety of colours and styles. However, all of these edgings fundamentally do the same thing, create strong and linear retaining edging. Path edging curbs are perfect if you want a modern and straight, retaining edging, upon clay soil. Kerb edging blocks
If you require a robust edging with some retaining strength, kerb edging blocks are a great solution. These kerb stones are typically installed with block paving as an edging to steps and raised borders. When based upon a concrete base they can provide a very hard wearing edging feature. This makes them perfect for level changes and retaining edgings upon clay soil. Block paving
Block paving is a manufactured, concrete, block typically used to surface driveways. These blocks come in a wide variety of sizes colours and styles. This makes them very versatile when creating garden edging for any style. When laid upon a strong mortar and compacted sub-base they make a sturdy edging upon clay soil. Flexible metal edging
If you require modern looking edging then flexible, metal, edging is becoming very popular. This strong and flexible edging is perfect for edging lawns, pathways and flower borders. Its deep, anchor, prongs and robust steel construction makes it perfect for seasonal variations within clay soil. One of the best metal, edging, products on the market is the Core edge range.
Thank you for reading our article on the best garden edging for clay soil. Below I will link to some other articles you may find relevant.
If you require garden edging installation services please contact us here.
'As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
Gravel has always been a great way to surface garden paths and walkways. Not only is gravel relatively affordable it is also fast to lay.
Coming in a vast array of size grades, materials and colours there is a gravel to suit any style. The most challenging decision is choosing the best garden edging to retain a gravel path. The best edging for gravel paths is those which retain the gravel aggregate efficiently. This means preventing as much gravel from being kicked and walked across adjacent surfaces as possible. Below I have identified 6 of the most effective and popular edging materials for gravel paths. Granite setts
Granite setts have always been a favourite edging and surfacing material for gardens. This is because they are extremely aesthetic and hard wearing. When based on a sturdy foundation and laid on mortar they create an extremely robust edging. This makes them perfect for retaining gravel within pathways. Brick edging
Bricks are a hard wearing and aesthetically pleasing building material. It is no surprise that bricks have found themselves everywhere within the built environment. Bricks are made by firing clay at extremely hot temperatures. Their natural colouration means colours do not fade over time. When laid on edge, bricks form the perfect retaining edge to gravel paths. Block paving
Like bricks block paving is another effective material for edging gravel paths. As blocks are manufactured from concrete they come in a huge variety of shapes and styles. Blocks can also be easily cut to accommodate organic curves and shapes. These can be based with compactable hardcore and laid straight onto mortar. Path edging kerbs
If you want a straight and uniform edging to a gravel path edging kerbs are perfect. These come in a variety of colours and forms from standard flat tops to Victorian rope tops. These edging kerbs are perfect for path edgings for gravel within lawns or bordering flowerbeds. Gravel boards
If you want a path edging which is fast to install you may want to use gravel boards. Timber gravel boards are actually designed to separate fencing from the soil. However these treated timbers also make great retaining edging for gravel paths. Boards are flexible and can be set to curves and fixed tightly to timber pegs. Flexible metal edging
If you want a contemporary edging for a gravel path, flexible metal edging is a good choice. These thin but robust edgings are very effective at creating both straight and curved pathways. If you want a path edging which is almost invisible to the naked eye it’s a great option. One of the best flexible metal edging brands on the market is Core edge.
Thank you for reading our article on the best edging for a gravel path. Below I have lined to some other articles you may find relevant. If you require edging installation do not hesitate to contact us. Our landscaping and garden edging services include most of Buckinghamshire including:
Amersham, Aylesbury, Bovingdon, Chalfont, Chesham, Hyde Heath, Great Missenden, Princes Risborough, High Wycombe, Penn, Beaconsfield, Tring, Gerrard's Cross and Denham.
'As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
This article contains affiliate links
Installing paving is one of the first solutions which spring to mind when surfacing a garden. Paving provides a robust, low maintenance surface which is ideal for pathways and patios.
However, correct paving installation requires much hard work and skill. Paving is expensive because it requires moving large quantities of aggregates, skilled labour and expensive materials. Consequently, it is understandable many seek alternatives to paving around their home. There are indeed many other surfacing materials choices available to explore. These all vary in cost and effort to maintain, here I will list and describe 10 surfacing alternatives to paving. Resin bound aggregate
Resin bound aggregate is an attractive surface made up of graded gravels mixed within a transparent resin. When laid and towelled flat this resin sets rock hard creating an aesthetically pleasing surface. Resin bound aggregate has an open textured, non-slip surface which allows water to pass through. This makes it ideal for sustainable urban drainage projects and slowing down flash flooding.
One of the main drawbacks with resin bound aggregate is it isn’t that much cheaper than paving. This is because a robust base must still be installed underneath to prevent cracking.
It is also true that large areas of resin bound can look rather bland and boring. Another issue is the open texture of the surface readily captures dust and dirt. This can lead to discoloration, moss and weeds. Concrete
Concrete surfaces are typically associated with shed bases and outdated landscaping schemes. At the turn of the 20th century concrete was the very latest in construction technology. Never before had a material been able to be formed into any shape or form. Even today concrete is very much an underestimated material for surfacing gardens. Concrete can be moulded into cobble and textured effects as well as dyed any colour.
There are also many products which can be laid over concrete to change its appearance.
One such which comes to mind is addagrip, this system bonds tiny stones to the concretes surface. Alternatively for a decorative and textured surface, concrete can be laid as exposed aggregate concrete. This is where it is mixed with decorative aggregates and the top cream layer blasted off. The result is a rather attractive surface similar to resin bound aggregate. Decking
Probably the most popular and common alternative to paving is decking. Decking comes in an extensive range of materials, colours and finishes and is visually very effective. Decking has also got the added advantage of requiring less base work construction. This mitigates the need for heavy digging and shifting tones of aggregates. This also means decking is generally cheaper than paving. However this does all come with a cost!
The problem with decking is it does not last as long as paving. Even composite decking products are typically still constructed upon timber frames.
Even treated timber will eventually degrade leading to more expense at a later date. I firmly believe that paving is much better value in the long run over decking. Gravel
Loose gravels have been used as a surfacing material going back hundreds of years. Before the age of tarmac gravel aggregates were used to stabilise and surface dirt tracks. This provided a much better wearing surface which bonded with the underlying ground. In gardens, gravel provides a decorative and permeable surfacing solution. The great thing about gravel is it has a good visual texture and is much cheaper than paving.
However, I would caution to still base up gravel seating areas as you would paving.
This will prevent gravel sinking and mixing with soft topsoil over time. Why not visit our guide on how to create a gravel seating area step by step here. Another advantage of gravel is you can grow plants through it. This makes it perfect for gravel, desert andMediterranean garden schemes. Rubber crumb
Rubber crumb surfacing is probably the most unusual paving alternative on this list. The surfaces most typical implementation is in school and nursery playgrounds. Rubber crumb is made from recycled rubber tyres and consists of small rubber granules. These are dyed to multiple colours and bonded with extremely strong glues.
Such surfaces can create amazing contrasts of colour if planned in interesting designs. Such a surfacing material can be perfect if you enjoy sports or have young children.
However, Rubber crumb can become damaged from contact with hot objects or naked flames. This makes them vulnerable to damage by barbecues, bonfires or cigarettes. Lawn
Conventional lawns are not thought of as a hard surfacing option but they do provide functionality. Although lawns can become boggy and uninhabitable in winter they are perfect in summer. Lawns are perfect for sitting and lounging during the warm summer months. They also provide the perfect surface for games and sports. Their lush, green, surface can be visually appealing and become a labour of love. Self binding gravel
Self binding gravel is finely graded gravel mixed with sand and clay which binds to provide a hard surface. The gravel comes in a wide range of colours and textures and looks extremely attractive. Such a surface is ideal for nature areas and naturalistic garden schemes. The gravel can also be used to surface and mulch borders and is particularly effective in Mediterranean garden schemes. However self binding gravel does have some drawbacks. This surface is vulnerable to animal digging and can puddle water. However, for the correct scenario self binding gravel can be a very effective surfacing option. Bark mulch
Bark mulch is a much more naturalistic way to surface your garden. Bark mulch surfaces actually have many advantages within the garden. Some of these include; improved drainage, more stable temperatures, improved soil, good for wildlife and mixing planting and seating areas. Bark chippings create a naturalistic and soft surface Ideal wildlife gardens and play areas.
Bark mulch, if applied at a reasonable depth can also be favourable for seating areas.
A heavy duty membrane can be laid underneath at least a depth of around 50mm of bark. Shady bark areas are the perfect place to relax during the extreme heat of summer. Such areas are perfect for creating woodland gardens or wildlife watching retreats. Tarmac
Tarmac is not always associated with back gardens as it is conventionally used for roads and driveways. However tarmac is a durable surfacing option and can be used inside gardens. Tarmac is especially useful if you want a dark coloured surface with lots of grip. There are now a whole range of tarmac paints available which can greatly enhance its colours. Artificial lawnArtificial lawn has become an increasingly popular alternative to conventional lawns. In the past couple of decades artificial lawn has become ever more durable and lifelike. This has led to an explosion in its installation across the suburban landscape. Artificial lawn is the ultimate low maintenance surface with no need for cutting and trimming.
However, a drawback with this option is it is more costly than many expect. This is because the lawn needs to be excavated and based in a similar way to a patio.
This can also reduce your gardens ability to naturally absorb water potentially leading to drainage problems.
If you require paving or landscaping services in Buckinghamshire please do not hesitate to contact us here. Our typical service locations include;
Amersham, Aylesbury, Bovingdon, Chalfont, Chesham, Hyde Heath, Great Missenden, Princes Risborough, High Wycombe, Penn, Beaconsfield, Tring, Gerrard's Cross and Denham.
Thank you for reading our article on the 10 main alternatives to paving. Below we will link to some other relevant articles you may find useful.
'As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
|
The Author
|