How to Place a Cinder Block Garden Edge on Dirt

Place string along the border where you want the edge, curving the string or creating tight corners where you might want them. Then measure the length of the string with a measuring tape.

Estimate the number of cinder blocks you need. You can lay them with the long edge or the short edge against the garden bed. Measure the edge of the cinder block, then divide the total length by that number. Keep a couple of extra blocks on hand in case you measured incorrectly.

Use a shovel and spade to dig up the grass where you intend to place the garden edge. Insert the spade into the grass to create a hole, then dig up the grass so that only dirt remains.

Run one cinder block along the trench to ensure the grade is level. You can smooth out minor imperfections in the grade when you spread the crushed rock.

Measure landscape plastic so that it will fill the trench but not run over. Lay landscaping plastic inside the trench. This helps prevent grass from growing in between your cinder blocks.

Add crushed rock over the landscaping plastic. Smooth out the crushes rock so that it lies in an even layer.

Lay the cinder blocks on top of the crushed rock. Place them right next to one another, leaving no space. Continue until all cinder blocks have been placed.