Forget Plastic and Concrete Edging: How to Beautifully Separate Flower Beds from the Lawn for Less

Plastic or concrete curbs are passé. We know how to have beautifully separated flower beds from the lawn much cheaper

Wildlife in the garden is a nice thing, but it should have its limits. Literally. When the lawn grows into the flowerbeds, the organised chaos becomes an unsightly mess. Lines simply belong in the garden, they are harmonious and enhance the aesthetic impression. But if you think you can’t do it without borders, you’d be wrong.

Bed edging can be whatever you want it to be. Concrete curbs are probably the most elaborate, and it’s best to make at least some kind of foundation in the ground so they don’t tip over immediately. Plastic curbs also need to be sunk into the ground, but sometimes just a rubber stick will do if you have loose soil in your garden. It’s also an option to use boards, old bricks, or even jam jars stuck upside down in the ground. The Czech people are known for being creative DIYers, and they have plenty of other ideas for keeping your lawn in check that might not be as visually appealing.

How to separate the flower bed from the lawn

Simple: with a lawn edger. “I’ve noticed a really huge interest in lawn edgers lately,” says Jan Matějka, owner of the Poporostem.cz e-shop, adding, “It’s a relatively easy and quick way to finish off a lawn and set clear boundaries. Compared to investing in any aesthetically pleasing curb, a lawn divider is only a few crowns.” A lawn edger also has one huge advantage: you won’t have to dig anything up when you decide to make the beds bigger or different. All you have to do is finish the lawn elsewhere and remove the sod from the bed. You’ll be done in no time and with minimal effort.

How to use the Lawn Edger

It’s not complicated. The tool tends to be relatively light, weighing around 2 kg, but you should expect it to be really sharp. Its semicircular shape with a sharp rounded side allows it to go deep below the surface of the ground and make a sharp, straight cut.

• Therefore, handle the edger with care and do not put it in the hands of smaller children.
• Mark the boundary between the bed and the lawn. String, spray paint, even by eye.
• Gradually work the edger into the ground along the marked boundary to create a continuous line. You can wiggle the tool slightly, but don’t use it as a spade. It is not designed for that purpose and you would easily ruin it.
• Once you’re done, take a Japanese hoe, a farmer’s dagger, or a conventional spade or sharp trowel and remove the excess sod.

Use a spade instead of a lawn edger? Not a good idea.

You may be toying with the idea that it would be easier to use a conventional spade instead of a lawn edger. We all have one at home. In a pinch, of course we do. But! It’s important to remember that the spade is slightly rounded, so instead of a straight line you’ll be edging the bed like a lace hem, in little curves. You won’t be too happy with the depth of the body either, because you’ll either be digging the spade in too deeply (and also on the bias) or each furrow will be a different depth. In the end, you’ll end up with more drag and the result won’t be to your liking.

What to choose a lawn separator for

Lawn edgers are already a common part of the arsenal of garden tool companies. Try to reach for proven brands, known for the strength and durability of the tools. For example, at Poporostem.cz, you’ll find tools from Dutch company DeWit, where they specialize in forged tools made from certified Swedish steel with handles made from European ash, so they’re local products with a global reputation.