How to Build a Flower-Bed Border Out of Recycled Concrete

Edging not only keeps dirt and mulch neatly in place, but also helps prevent grass from growing inside the flower bed. A hard edging, such as one made of concrete, also eliminates the need to regularly recreate an edging or small ditch around the bed with a spade, as suggested by the gardening experts at Cornell University; gardeners need only use a weed trimmer to maintain a neat and tidy look. And by using recycled concrete pieces, gardeners can reduce local landfills.

Garden hose (optional)
Powdered chalk or spray paint (optional)
Spade
Recycled concrete pieces, several inches in thickness
Level
Rubber mallet

Instructions

- 1
  Lay a garden hose on the ground in the desired shape of the flower bed, if the flower bed isn’t yet in place. Use powdered chalk or spray paint to trace the outline of the bed. Remove the hose.
- 2
  Dig a trench, for thicker pieces of concrete, using a spade. The trench should be flat on the bottom, so the edging will not sit lopsided, and must be the same size or slightly wider than the concrete pieces.
- 3
  Press down on the bottom of the trench with your feet.
- 4
  Lay thicker pieces of concrete inside the trench, filling in with soil around each piece, as needed. Use a level to ensure the pieces lay either perfectly flat (for the most uniform look) or nearly flat (for a more natural look).
- 5
  Hammer down gently on the concrete with a rubber mallet, securing the edging in place in the earth.
- 6
  Press down on the soil around the pieces of concrete using your feet.
- 7
  Keep laying down concrete in this manner until the entire flower bed is edged.
- 8
  Water the soil around the concrete edging until it is moist, but not soggy. Press down on the damp soil with your feet to help secure the concrete edging in place.

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