OverviewSATURDAY: Form the trench (Steps 1–7). SUNDAY: Set the bricks (Steps 8–12). Lay a length of rope along the edge of your garden bed, following its contours. Mark the rope at the end of the bed with tape, pull it taut, and measure the rope up to the mark. Divide that length in inches by the width of the bricks to calculate the number you'll need, then add 10 percent to your order. For example: 324 inches ÷ 4 inches (brick width) = 81 bricks + 10 percent = 89 bricks. Make sure to buy clay pavers, sometimes called severe-weather-rated bricks. Line the edge of the bed with bricks, tight against the grass line—close to one another but not quite touching, leaving a gap for the sand. To work around soft curves, fan them out slightly; for tight curves, find the center or peak of the curve and leave a triangular gap, as shown. The widest point of the gap should be no wider than a brick. You'll make angled keystone bricks to fill the triangular gaps in the curves.
Center a brick over a gap, and use the masonry pencil to mark its end where it overlaps its neighboring bricks, as shown. Mark the opposite end of the brick in the same way. Flip the brick over, and transfer the marks from each end onto its face. Use the masonry pencil, and a straightedge if necessary, to draw lines connecting the marks at each end of the brick to form your cutlines. With the brick marked, rest it on a work surface with the cutlines faceup. Fit the circular saw with the segmented diamond blade. Adjust the depth of the blade so that it will just barely cut through the brick in a single pass. To minimize dust, trickle water onto the brick as you cut; use the nail to puncture the bottom of the water bottle to create a steady trickle. Set the cut keystone brick into the opening to make sure it fits. Place the tarp over your grass to collect soil as you dig. Using the spade, dig a trench with straight sides along the length of the bed, working from the grass line into the bed.
Make the trench several inches wider than the length of your bricks. Dig until the soil changes color, indicating that you've gotten past the topsoil. Measure the depth of your trench, as shown; it should be at least 6 inches deep to allow for a 2- to 3-inch layer of paver base, 1 inch of stone dust, and the bricks set flush with the ground. Pack the Paver Base Spread the paver base evenly throughout the trench, stopping periodically to pack it down with the tamper, as shown. Continue to add the material in small batches until it forms a base that's at least 2 to 3 inches deep. If you had to dig deeper than 6 inches to reach past the topsoil, continue to add and pack the paver base until the depth of the tamped trench is equal to the thickness of a brick, plus 1 inch for the stone dust. Mix the Stone Dust In a large wheelbarrow, mix together stone dust and portland cement in a 6:1 ratio, using six shovelfuls of stone dust for every shovelful of cement. Use the garden hose to mist (but don't soak) the mixture to activate the cement and make it easier to mix and shovel into the trench.
Working in stretches several feet long, use the trowel to cover the paver base with the stone-dust mixture. Press the bricks into place one at a time, tapping them down with the rubber mallet. Make the face of each brick flush with the ground on either side of the trench and with the brick preceding it. Continue, brick by brick, and set the cut keystones at curves, maintaining a consistent gap. Use any leftover stone dust to backfill along the back edge of the bricks, then cover it with soil. With the bricks set, pour polymeric sand over them and use the brush to sweep it into the spaces between them, as shown. Working your way down the bed, whack the bricks with the rubber mallet to force the sand to pack itself tight. Continue to fill the gaps until the sand is flush with the faces of the bricks and won't settle any farther. Hose off the Edging Brush away any excess polymeric sand or dust; either one can stain the bricks if it gets damp. With the hose, wash the edging with a gentle spray, dampening the sand between the bricks without dislodging it.
As the sand absorbs water, it will set, acting like grout to lock the bricks in place for years to come. How to Install Weed Matting You can help control the weeds in your garden beds by laying down some weed matting. We’ll show you how to make the most of your weed matting using mulch.Commercial Grade Steel Landscape Edging How do I cut the edging? How do I determine how much steel edging my project will require? How do I remove the attached stakes from each end of edging? Using long handled pliers, crescent wrench or channel lock pliers begin by placing tool in the middle of the top stake. Next, using small motions at first, bend the stake up and down until the small tabs break and release the stake. Continue until all stakes are removed. Remember to use gloves and eye protection when working with tools. Is steel edging flexible enough for curves? What is the purpose of steel landscape edging? What is the recommended depth when installing steel landscape edging?
What tools are recommended to install steel edging? A sharpshooter type spade is useful in hard soils to dig a slight trench for edging to be buried. In softer soils a wood block can be used on top of edging to pound to desired depth. In both cases a 3lb hammer works best to install edging and stakes. Eye glasses and gloves are necessary when using these tools. Why steel over other materials offered?There’s nothing like spending time in a beautiful garden! A blooming space celebrates nature, soothes the soul and inspires creativity. Public gardens are filled with interesting design choices, but when it comes to planning a garden at home, the possibilities can seem overwhelming. Today we’ve got some answers! From amazing landscaping ideas to unique garden features, we’ve collected the best options for a nature-filled space that makes an impression.Colorful blossoms are a representation of new life. While planting flowers seems like second nature, why cultivate a space that looks like every other garden?
Try terraced flowerbeds, which offer layers of landscaping options. Better yet–mix blooms with interesting greenery for a modern effect, as shown in the image below. Stones, concrete and horizontal wooden beams are common flowerbed borders, but what about vertical logs? Sometimes injecting a bit of the unexpected delights the senses. The height of the border and the silver-white hue of the wood are two eye-catching reasons to give this idea a try! Speaking of unexpected, the patchy garden below combines low-lying blooms, lush vegetation and substantial rocks to create a feast for the eyes. Don’t forget the power of an interesting container. The flowers below are an assortment of rich tones, but their careful arrangement is a work of art. Surprise yourself with some intentional planting and watch as your floral sculpture comes to life. [images below from The Art Garden]Don’t forget to add height with tall plants and let some of the greenery spill over the edges. There can be many levels of detail to your arrangement:Trimmed hedges evoke the magic of an English garden.
For a twist on this classic technique, try planting the shrubs inside of the flowerbeds, then tame them into sphere-like forms for a contemporary look that’s full of charm. [from Down to Earth Landscapes]Another way to add surprise to a garden is through contrast. Choose red-leafed plants for variety, and surround them with greenery to make their color pop. [image of Chandor Gardens, from The Road Trip Destination Guide]Oh, the beauty of a vine-filled trellis! While covered with flowers for part of the year, this garden focal point is most often pure green in color. Enhance its verdant appearance by strategically planting an assortment of grasses and shrubs in the space around it. The result: a natural paradise filled with various shades of green! For texture and length, add “Silver Falls” dichondra to your garden. Not only does it serve as a silvery ground cover, it’s simply irresistible hanging from a tall perch. Who says a glittering waterfall has to be liquid? While many yards have at least a patch of lawn, few elegantly frame the space in a way that calls attention to the grass itself.
In the image below, a low border of bricks and plants elegantly surrounds the lawn, creating a true “green.” A garden sculpture becomes a stately showpiece in this setting. [image of Dumbarton Oaks Garden, from Daily Tea Enjoyment]Pathways create movement throughout the garden. Taking the time to make these walkways as beautiful as they are functional enhances an outdoor space. Instead of placing concrete tiles side by side, leave some room in between the stones, as shown below. The result is a grid effect that becomes lush when filled in with grass. If stepping stones lead garden-goers through dirt rather than grass, try filling the space in between with low-lying plants. Even if they spill over onto the stones, the resulting mounds of vegetation are visually stunning. [from Fun Design Ideas]Plants aren’t the only pathway fillers… Add some rocks to the mix! Pebbles can create a modern look, especially when combined with rectangular walkway tiles and sprout-like grasses. [from Living Colour Landscapes]
What if your garden paths were framed as purposefully as the flowerbeds? Creating borders for a walkway makes attractive tiles even more prominent, especially when the stone is dark and surrounded with white pebbles. The best part: You don’t have to mow or fertilize these outdoor pathways! Another way to outline a garden path involves the use of hedges. Boxwood is a hardy border plant of choice. Instead of creating straight lines with your walkways, cultivate them to open onto wider resting spaces, as shown below. The boxwood can then curve in response, creating geometric interest. Gardens are quiet places of contemplation, and nothing promotes this thoughtfulness like a welcoming place to sit. Don’t hesitate to keep it simple! A slab of concrete becomes a modern bench in the image below. There is power in the sturdy statement of a tree trunk, especially when arranged around a wooden table for group seating options. [from Jackson & Fourth Garden Design]While a bench made of stacked stone is an ideal resting place, its unique curved shape is what commands attention below.
Surrounding spaces can be just as important as seating itself, especially when a geometrically pleasing sanctuary takes center stage. Sometimes seating involves eating! Make outdoor dining spaces appealing with clean, flat surfaces like the slatted furnishings below. Add privacy with tall bamboo, and don’t forget the intrigue of sculptural elements! Water features are a calming presence in the garden. Deciding where and how to install them can take much thought and careful planning. Consider the space itself, the type of surrounding vegetation involved, and what is practical for your time and budget. Below, a rectangular, contemporary pond complements lush tropical plants. There is indeed something powerfully simple about a boxy pond, especially when surrounded by manicured hedges and a flawless green lawn. Reinforce the shape of your pond by planting a delicate boxwood border around the perimeter. For an extra touch, add a birdbath or other statuesque item in the center of the water feature, as shown in the koi pond image below.
Remember that water features don’t have to be fancy to make an impact. Birdbaths and fountains are lovely garden additions, especially when given prominent placement. For example, a layer of polished stones can create an ideal bed for a ground fountain. If a garden in the yard is not possible, don’t forget about indoor plant options! An assortment of attractive container choices and styles makes indoor gardening a reality. Interesting vegetation, including the silvery Tillandsia “air plant” below, turns potted plants into conversation pieces. [images below from MulchMaid]If the container is the canvas and the plants are the paints, remember to add variety to your composition! Choose vegetation of different colors and heights, and include nonliving elements such as rocks to turn empty pots into interesting plantscapes.Another way to create compelling potted plant arrangements involves mixing the modern with the traditional. For example, fill contemporary concrete planters with feminine flowers, as seen in the container on the left (below).