Concrete Molds Made for Garden Borders

The Purpose of Garden Borders

• Gardens, whether they are filled with flowers, herbs or vegetables, should be contained in a specific area. Backyard gardens that butt up against a lawn, walkway or driveway need an extra barrier to prevent the soil from running off when it rains. Edging also adds aesthetic structure to your yard and allows you to create garden beds in the shape and size you desire.

Purchasing Molds and Concrete

• You might find basic concrete molds at your local home and garden center, but if you're looking for something specific or ornate, your best bet is the Internet. Search according to the style you're looking for -- examples include Gothic, Victorian and Greek -- or do a general search for concrete garden molds. Because most concrete molds are made of a lightweight plastic material, they are easy to ship. Purchase quick-set concrete locally if you can to avoid high shipping costs.

Molding Concrete

• Creating the molds is a straightforward process: Simply mix the concrete according to the manufacturer's instructions, pour it into the mold, tap the bottom on a flat surface to release any air bubbles and allow it to set overnight. Once it is set, flip the mold over on a soft surface such as a foam pad and pull the sides away from the concrete until it releases. Because decorative molds can be costly, it's important to account for the time it takes to make the stones one by one when planning your garden. You can color your molded stones by adding powdered dye to the dry concrete, or you can paint them after they've set.

Installing the Molded Concrete

• To install molded concrete stones around a new garden bed, dig the desired shape with a shovel; if you want an unusual shape, use a garden hose to outline the shape before digging. For vertical stones, dig a small trench for the bottom edges with a garden trowel. Place flat stones along the inner edge of the garden. In most cases, molded concrete edging is not stacked and requires no mortar. While the stones seem loose at first, they become snug when rain and sprinkler water push the soil toward the edges.