Mulching flower beds

Question

I often see yards with lovely winding flower gardens that appear to be raised with only mulch and nothing holding the mulch in place such as a brick, metal or plastic border around it. I've tried duplicating that, but the mulch does not stay in place on the edges and it ends up looking messy. I am attaching a photo that I found on Pinterest which better shows what I'm referring to. Is there a trick to doing this? Thank you in advance!

Jeanne · Answer

We actually use a shovel to cut a little trench along the edge. This keeps the mulch in place. It needs to be cleaned up each year but seems to work well.

The Chirping Frog · Answer

If you use a sharp spade and run it straight down at the edge and then scoop back toward the flower bed, removing what you dig out. You'll have a trench then that's deeper at the front and slowly rises the farther it goes into the flower bed. You then fill that it with your mulch. Then we just keep it weed whacked good. You have to run the weed whacker vertically at the edge to keep the grass trimmed properly and every once in a while I have to go back in and use the spade again if I don't keep up with it. Not sure that's how the pro's do it but it works great for us.

Heidi @ Heidi Ho-rticulture · Answer

Similarly, if you angle your trench around the lawn more so at 45degrees, the mulch in heavy rains can pool easily and spill over if it is not deeper than 4 inches from the lawn grade. Sharp spade is key with cutting. Use latex spray paint to mark the lawn before slicing into it. Good luck!

Ali Kay · Answer

I found this..hope it helps!http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=C2GPeoSUzVYr2NMj_-QOx44CgBrnh58EGydjX9UO_4R4QASCVldYhYMn-5YvIpKwUoAH74q__A8gBBuACAKgDAaoErQFP0D4-941uSGTwCVGLPVZmJTxhwopdOoBxorCF6zWdtnAB84zoBTAZAwDJzOcGgOyZan80P7n9FQsRpE3R4MDQMeRsC8MqiIGYhzz7C8nKirttT7uz7gXSjrsxxOHlgdXzmLpS9p_9UXOeEwqyOKX2zmOaBKk4L4j8m6gypxfmBaoXDvVnWD4SHeEkBtZF6ffqYNMCjAhFWTP3GLHNcfVfA8iDaaCysEPfL0841-AEAfoFBgglEAEYAIgGAaAGN9gGAoAH7ZxQqAemvhvYBwE&num=1&cid=5GhTdZRxFAERfDKYt0RhKEsS&sig=AOD64_36zGjhn1LNfUC1xv09UhH5_zfsNw&adurl=https://nuts.com/nuts/hazelnuts/in-the-shell.html%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3Ddyn%26adsource%3Ddynads&client=ca-pub-1819105643469015

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Some people lay a lawn hose and play around with it to get the right look before they start to dig. I don't use mulch. I just dig the line, shake the dirt out of the grass clump back onto the bed. There is a small trench left. Love edging - makes the yard look well-cared for. I use edger tools - have a half-moon one and a straight edged one. Both work well.

Duv310660 · Answer

I feel compelled to mention that the reason for this method of edging beds is to create a functional 'gap' between lawn and garden, thereby curbing the grass from sending runners into your garden. If you mulch regularly, you will also benefit by:
1. making it easier to pull run-away grass out of your garden,
2. achieve an even tidier look
3. conserve water
4. feed & improve soil structure (allow for slight increase in nitrogen on beds initially)
5. make weeding easier, inc keeping dandelions from taking root - a big plus for those of us on a herbicide ban!
When you know Why you are doing it, it's easier to work out How it should be done!

Wendy Johnson · Answer

great info, thanks

Catherine · Answer

Thank you so much to everyone for your good advice!

Linda Jowers · Answer

Search for Donna's Funky Junk site. She has a step by step tutorial on doing this.

L. Criswell · Answer

Buy old, used bricks.  Use them to outline your planting beds.  Here is why:
*They can be easily moved as your plants grow larger.
*They are easy to cut around.
*They are a cheaper choice.
*They look great!

Deborah Hurley · Answer

How wide should the trench be from the edge of the flower bed to look like this?

Mulching flower beds

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Mulching flower beds

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