How to Create a Stone Garden Border Edging

Creating a stone garden border edging is a great way to add both visual interest and functionality to your outdoor space. Not only does it help define the boundaries of your garden, but it can also prevent grass and weeds from encroaching on your plants. One excellent option for sourcing high-quality stones for your landscaping edging project is Ohio's Stone Center, which offers a wide variety of natural stone products to suit any landscaping need. In this guide, our team will walk you through the steps for creating beautiful and durable edging for landscaping that will enhance your garden for years to come.

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Stone Garden Borders Benefits

Some of the benefits of using stone edgers for landscaping as garden borders include:

• Adding structure and definition to your garden beds;
• Protecting your plants from damage caused by lawnmowers or foot traffic;
• Enhancing the overall look of your garden by adding texture and contrast;
• Stone garden borders aid in maintaining soil fertility by effectively absorbing moisture and retaining water, which nourishes the plants and promotes healthy growth;
• They can also serve as a barrier against erosion, which helps to prevent soil loss and ensures that your garden beds remain intact;
• Stone garden borders offer a certain level of protection against pests, acting as a deterrent to burrowing animals and insects that may damage your plants;
• Stone garden borders are relatively easy to install and maintain, making them an ideal choice for those with limited time or resources.

List of Tools and Equipment for Stone Landscape Edging

Creating a stone landscape edging requires a variety of tools and equipment to ensure a successful and efficient project. Here's a list of essential tools and equipment needed for installing new garden borders:

• Shovel: For digging the trench in which the stones will be placed;
• Wheelbarrow: To transport the stones and other materials to the project site;
• Level: To ensure that the stones are installed evenly and straight;
• Tamper: To compact the soil around the stones for stability;
• Chisel: For shaping and cutting the stones as needed;
• Safety gear: Including gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask, to protect against injuries and dust;
• Stone cutting saw: For precise cuts on stones that require more shaping than a chisel can provide;
• Mason's hammer: A small sledgehammer used for splitting or shaping stones.

How Much Stone Do I Need for Edging?

To accurately calculate the amount of edging stones for landscaping, here are some factors to consider:

• Measure the length and width of the area you plan to edge;
• Determine the desired thickness of the stones;
• Decide on the style of edging you want, such as a single row or double row;
• Consider adding an additional 10% to account for any waste or errors during installation.

Once you've calculated the total square footage of the area to be edged, you can consult with your supplier to determine the amount of stone needed to complete your project.

Natural Stone Landscape Edging Ideas

With so many options available, it can be challenging to decide which type of stone edging will best suit your needs. Let's discuss the main types:

Natural Boulder Stone

Natural boulder stone is a popular choice for garden edging due to its durability, versatility, and natural beauty. This type of natural stone border edging can provide a variety of benefits that include:

• Natural boulder stone is a highly durable material that can withstand exposure to the elements, ensuring that your garden edging will last for years to come;
• Natural boulder stone comes in a variety of sizes and shapes, making it a versatile option that can be used to create a variety of garden edging designs, from simple borders to more complex rock gardens and retaining walls;
• It's a low-maintenance material that's easy to clean, helping to keep your garden looking beautiful with minimal effort and creating an environmentally friendly outdoor space.

Decorative Chipping Edging

 This type of edging provides a range of benefits, including:

• Decorative chipping edging is easy to install, making it a great option for those with limited time or resources;
• This type of edging comes in a variety of colors and textures, providing endless possibilities for customization and creativity;
• Decorative chipping edging can be used to create a variety of border ideas for landscaping, including pathways, rock gardens, and raised garden beds;
• This type of edging is permeable, allowing for proper drainage and preventing water from pooling around your plants.

Caged Rocks (Gabion Walls)

Gabion walls offer a range of benefits, such as:

• Flexibility: Gabion walls can be used for a variety of landscaping designs;
• Strength: Gabion walls are known for their exceptional strength and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy foot traffic, making them an excellent choice for year-round garden edging;
• Aesthetics: decorative natural rocks create a unique rustic and visually appealing addition to your outdoor space;
• Firm Base: Gabion walls are unlikely to shift or move once installed, providing added stability and safety to your garden edging.

Pebble Edging

Pebbles are an affordable option for small gardens compared to other options. They also:

• Require minimal upkeep;
• Are available in numerous colors;
• Help regulate soil temperature, promoting healthy plant growth and reducing the need for additional watering;
• Can be used in combination with existing soil to create a natural and seamless transition between your garden and lawn.

How to Create a Garden Border: Step-By-Step

Here's a step-by-step process for creating a stunning stone new border that will add visual interest and definition to your landscaping:

#1 Consider Your Soil Type

Evaluate the quality of your soil to determine its drainage, nutrient levels, and pH balance. Different plants, ornamental grasses, and landscaping materials thrive in different types of soil, so understanding your soil type is crucial for selecting the appropriate plants and materials for your garden border edging. You can perform a simple soil test to determine the pH balance and nutrient levels of your soil and adjust the soil as needed to ensure that your plants and materials can thrive and attract pollinators when needed.

#2 Choose the Best Plants

Select plants that are appropriate for the size, style, and environmental conditions of your garden. Consider the sunny position, soil type, and moisture levels when choosing plants for your garden border edging. Ideally, you'll choose plants that complement the overall look of your landscaping design and that will thrive in the chosen location. Be sure to space the plants evenly and follow recommended planting guidelines for each species to ensure their healthy growth and a visually appealing planting scheme.

#3 Mark Out the Area

This involves using a garden hose or stakes and string to outline the perimeter of the area where you want to add the border, including any curved edges. This step is crucial for ensuring that the border is properly aligned and sized to fit your desired landscaping design. Take time to measure the area carefully and adjust the placement of the stakes and string as needed to achieve the desired shape and size for your garden border edging, including any curves or irregularities.

#4 Dig the Trench

Use a shovel or trenching tool to dig a trench along the perimeter of the marked area. The trench should be deep and wide enough to accommodate the size and thickness of your selected edging materials. The depth of the trench should also consider the depth of the roots of any plants that will be planted inside the border. Be sure to remove any rocks or debris from the trench before proceeding with the installation of the edging materials.

#5 Place the Weed Membrane

Lay down a layer of weed membrane in the trench before placing the edging materials. The weed membrane helps to prevent the growth of weeds and other unwanted plants within the border. We recommend that you use a high-quality, durable weed membrane that's thick enough to resist tearing or degradation over time. Be sure to overlap the edges of the weed membrane to create a seamless barrier against unwanted plant growth.

#6 Place the Stone Edging

Carefully position the stone edging materials into the trench, making sure they fit snugly against each other and are level with the ground. It's important to choose the appropriate size and style of stone for your desired landscaping design. To ensure a professional-looking finish, use a level and rubber mallet to adjust the positioning of the stones as needed. Once the stones are in place, backfill the gaps with soil or gravel to secure the edging.

Some Raised-Bed Border Tips

Raised-bed borders may add structure and depth to your garden design. Here are some tips to consider when creating a raised-bed border:

• Choose the right location: Select an area that receives plenty of sunlight and has good drainage for your raised-bed border;
• Build a sturdy frame: Use durable and rot-resistant materials such as cedar or pressure-treated lumber to construct the frame for your new garden border;
• Prepare the soil: Fill the raised flower bed with a combination of garden compost and topsoil to create a nutrient-rich environment for your plants;
• Be strategic: Consider the spacing and growth habits of plants when selecting them for your raised-bed border;
• Add lawn edging: Install lawn edging around the perimeter of the raised bed to create a clean and defined border between the lawn and the garden;
• Choose plants wisely: The plants should attract beneficial wildlife such as butterflies, bees, and birds to enhance biodiversity in your garden.

Rock Edge Landscaping Conclusion

By using natural stone materials, you can create a timeless and elegant look that enhances the beauty of your property. If you're considering a rock-edge landscaping project, be sure to work with a reputable stone supplier like Stone Center of Cincinnati to ensure that you have access to high-quality materials and expert guidance. Contact Stone Center today to get started on your natural stone landscaping project and transform your outdoor space.