Chesapeake, VA on May 15, 2012

Garden, mulch beds, mulch washing away, drainage solution for patio

We had a patio installed last year on the back of my house to replace the old deck, and connected it to my old patio around the pool. One thing the installer should have advised (he did build what I wanted), but he should have mentioned water run-off. when it rained hard, the mulch would wash out of the bed between the two patios. So I installed metal edging, added gravel. Two hard rains, and no mulch moved. The only water in the bed has to fall directly on it, so it is doing great. I like the metal edging, very easy to install, looks better than the vinyl rolls, I started with that, but ripped it out and returned it, as it looks so bad, plus it would not be strong enough to hold up the gravel/rocks. Plus a added photo of my front garden for others to get ideas, still need to work on the front garden to the right of the steps though, but it's getting there.

41 Comments Displaying 25 of 41 comments | See Previous

Kathy C Shickshinny, PA

Looks great Clay. Love how the gravel makes the garden just pop out.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 1
Kris S Minneapolis, MN

My only problem with rubber mulch is that in my yard we have quite a few maple trees...and their 'whirlybird' seed pods. Hence my beautiful (and quite expensive) red rubber mulch is now 'peppered' with the light brown maple tree seeds. At least the wood mulch breaks down over time and would blend in with the seed pods. In order to remove them from the rubber mulch, I have to pick each and every one out of it. There are literally THOUSANDS of them. Anyone have any better idea for getting the seed pods out of my rubber mulch???

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Robin T Gainesville, GA

Home Depot rocks. I should know, I work there. :) The metal edging is great! Be careful with rubber mulch in the southern regions. It holds heat and for long periods of time. Never put more than two inches, because it can actually burn up your plants.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Patty S Sturgeon Bay, WI

I did a similar edging only I used plastic sheeting, cut to the width of my edging of brick and river rock.
on May 17, 2012 · Like 2
Lucy Milton Freewater, OR

I am wanting to re arrange my herb areas, I have 2. there is no cohesiveness to them, and some have managed to push its boundaries into an other & to me it looks like a mess. I was thinking of making paths & rounded beds to try to keep them where I want them. any suggestions?

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Connie S Fayetteville, TN

I'm about to give up on pulling up seedlings everywhere and cleaning up seed pods, going to replace my maples in the front with something not quite as messy.
Love the edging idea! I've been thinking for a long time about doing that between the house and the rose garden, now I'm re-inspired!

on May 17, 2012 · Like 1
Jodi B Denver, CO

Anyone thinking of or who has metal edging be very careful with as it ages, not only with kids but got to think about dogs. I have seen many dogs come in with lacerations on their paws from older metal edging.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 1
Diana S Fishers, IN

or instead of a metal edge, run a clay drain pipe under the gravel and make it go to the side instead of down... it would look the same. If the run-off is that much when it rains, you should consider terracing or installing a better drainage system on your house to avoid heavy run-off.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Vicki A Ronkonkoma, NY

Beautiful home...love the front walkway....When my friend remodeled her patio, I asked for all the old bricks. They were grateful that I took them because they would've had to pay to have them removed. It was a win-win. The bricks are now the edging on my garden and the circular walkway.There is a black wrought iron fence and garden/patio pots.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 1
Vicki Smyrna, GA

thanks for sharing pixies and ideas. Thanks goodness for hometalk to share ideas from pixies. We do take anything before they demo with my friends being in demo businesses. They do appreciate cuz it save them some monies from paying them to be removed.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Kathy H Kansas City, MO

Metal edging...I was afraid of rust,might just try this again! I had the plastic edging...Not Impressed(lol). This area looks soooo inviting.Thanks for sharing.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Patricia L Valparaiso, FL

The metal edging is found in Ga. but not Fl.,my son did 2 areas at my house in Fl.,it also has plastic caps for the metal,no sharpe edges.Good old Home Depot.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Terry S La Plata, MD

Beautiful home. I had landscapers install brown metal edging under a low deck and placed red rock underneath. It looks neat and great but over the years, as on reply noted, it did rust but is now the color of the red rock. I wonder if I should spray paint it with a Rustoleum paint on the outside of the medal edging or leave it alone.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
The Micro Gardener - Anne Australia

I notice a number of people mention using Rubber Mulch. I have a particular interest in organic gardening and have researched many materials people use in their gardens including rubber tires and mulch. From a safety perspective, it seems it's not all that's it's touted to be by companies who manufacture it.
There's evidence that rubber mulch is highly flammable and difficult to extinguish once it is ...»
burning (not desirable around the home if you are in a bushfire zone); is not permanent - like other organic material, it decomposes over time; but most concerning, it is toxic and contains a number of metal and organic contaminants with known environmental and/or human health effects.
If you're interested, you can read about the scientific research results in an excellent summary by Dr Linda Chalker @ http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda%20chalker... and also a well researched article @ http://www.paghat.com/rubbermulch.html.
Bottom line is those companies with a vested interest in profits will tout the benefits (and even sponsor studies to find positive results) but who wants to support corporate dishonesty with their wallet? Wise to do your due diligence before buying any product! One tip is to ask for the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) which lists hazards and risks. It can, at the very least, provide you with some basic info to help you make a more informed purchasing decision.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Jean M Valdosta, GA

I like your idea of placing a metal edge, I used a plastic edge around my rose bushes and other plants, one, to slow the erosion down, and to give a clean edge to my yard. I just have to keep up with the grass and weeds that might pop up underneath the rubber mulch I have placed.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Debi M Washington, NC

We had that issue, hubby installed concrete curbing around the flower beds. In all fairness he bought the equipement to do this as a part time income producing thing. LOL, I just kept finding projects around our house for him to do.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Sue A De Forest, WI

I like it!

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Kelly S Bremerton, WA

What a beautiful design! I didn't know they had vinyl edge covers for metal edging. Dang. I just put in the fiberglass/plastic around my strawberry and veggie beds; which I chose over metal because of my dog. The rigid fiberglass/plastic will work for now. I have so many different edgings it would take a full 60 hour week to replace them all with the same material. Oh well maybe in a year or two. ...»

@Clay, is this the pound in type or the dig a trench type?
@ Lucy, a friend dug a hole the size of is kids old wading pool, poked more holes in the pool for drainage, and put his herbs in it. The edge was flush with the surrounding area and the herbs didn't wander. He used metal flashing to seperate them into a wagon wheel design.
Happy digging everybody!

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Cathy T Glenside, PA

Hats off to you for nixing the rubber mulch, an issue covered in another thread. Toxic to people and plants, and it's possible for it to erupt in spontaneous combustion. Recently, I happened to add a bit of metal edging in my garden, too. Easy to work with and quick to install.

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
Sarah S Grand Rapids, MI

Say no to rubber mulch! http://alfrescolandscapes.wordpress.com/2012...

on May 17, 2012 · Like 0
AUDRA A Kennesaw, GA

I love what you have done with the mulch and the edging..wonderful idea and it looooks great

on May 19, 2012 · Like 0
Tonya L Bastrop, TX

Problem with rubber mulch is pets eat it. Definitely not good for them.

on May 19, 2012 · Like 0
Clay B Chesapeake, VA

@Kelly S. not sure of the diffent types, got at Home Depot. It's just flat metal, about 5" inches high, and has loops to insert stakes, and pounded in the stakes, flush with the top of the edging. You can pound in the edging if needed, for my application, I just set in on the ground, staked it, and added my mulch and gravel.

on May 22, 2012 · Like 0
Clay B Chesapeake, VA

Thank you for all the wonderul comments. Many have asked in the "picture comments", about a Pergola, and Yes, that is in the future plans, just not this years budget. Maybe next year. I have to get all new windows first.

on May 22, 2012 · Like 0
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Lovely..simple, and i love the balls! And of course the hostas.My fave.

on Oct 17, 2012 · Like 0