How to Make Border Edging

Lay out the outer edge of where you plan to install the border edging. Tie a string to two stakes placed in the ground to mark straight edges. Shape curved edges by laying a garden hose on the ground. Sprinkle flour over the garden hose to mark the line in the grass.

Use the string or the flour marker as a guide as you dig a trench that's 1 inch deep and 9 inches wide for the concrete border. Use a shovel if you just have a small amount to dig. For longer stretches of curbing, use a sod cutter or trencher. Try to make the bottom of the trench as level as possible.

Add 3 1/2 parts sand and 1 part cement to a cement mixer, and mix the two ingredients together. Add enough water to make a dry concrete. If you want to add a coloring agent to the concrete, do so at this point -- or spray it on later in the process (see Step 7).

Transfer the concrete into the curb machine. Use the trigger on the curb machine's handle to extrude concrete into the trench. The concrete may not be smooth as it comes out.

Rub the concrete curbing with a special trowel designed for landscape curbing. Work out any imperfections.

Slice control joints into the concrete curbing every 36 inches or so to allow the concrete to expand and contract during changes in the weather. Use any sharp-edged tool or knife to cut the control joints. Only cut halfway through the curbing.

Spray coloring agent on the concrete if you didn't put it in the mix. Use a garden sprayer. Skip this step if you prefer naturally colored gray concrete.

Spray concrete stamps with release spray. Stamp designs into the curbing with concrete stamps. Omit this step if you want smooth sides on the curbing.