Post some pics! :thumbup:

I'm a big fan of the clean look of natural edges, but I think it can be a little more difficult to maintain with our creeping grasses here in the south.

 

I really like the clean edge provided by the "natural look" boarder as well I consider trying it, but after having to constantly pull bermuda out of the raised bed in the front, I gave up on the idea. My Bermuda creeps under the blocks, thru the smallest cracks between the blocks, and grows into the bed.

 

I do this with my lawn too.

 

I use round up or glyphosate on grass when it creeps in to bed.

 

I use round up or glyphosate on grass when it creeps in to bed.

I think you have bigger issues if your grass is creeping into bed with you!!!! :lol:

 

We live relatively close and have similar grass types. I do the same thing you do and have no troubles. I clean up the trench with a trimmer maybe once a month and use an edging tool I got from Home Depot about 3-4 times a year. I had to make my drop off smaller because my wife claims she'll sprain an ankle. I just love the look though. My mother in law wants me to work on her yard this weekend.

 

Nice edge, I have experimented with trimming edge and what seems to work the best is to walk in the bed and tip trimmer 90 degrees and cut back into yard so you do not throw as many chips. what did you pay for the mulch? I paid 31.00 a yard from Lahoha ;hard wood no color.

 

Nice edge, I have experimented with trimming edge and what seems to work the best is to walk in the bed and tip trimmer 90 degrees and cut back into yard so you do not throw as many chips. what did you pay for the mulch? I paid 31.00 a yard from Lahoha ;hard wood no color.

I ended up paying a total of $650 with Omaha Organics. They did all of my beds "which is around the whole fence line" and the front, which isn't much. It probably averaged around that 31.00 a yard.

 

I really like the way that looks Miller, but I just can't keep my line that straight when trimming/edging it... I need to practice more I guess!

 

If you have trouble keeping straight lines with a trimmer for edging, try this method.. The seed shop I goto was slow so I was just chatting with the guys there about it joking about how terrible I was and he said hey try it this way and it clicked!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y96btLg5Z_E

 

If you have trouble keeping straight lines with a trimmer for edging, try this method.. The seed shop I goto was slow so I was just chatting with the guys there about it joking about how terrible I was and he said hey try it this way and it clicked!

Are you right handed?

I'll give it a try next time!

 

Yeah I'm right handed. Its hard to explain it feels goofy but I think because I'm walking forward it is easier to stay straight.

 

I would love to do a natural edge for beds. I love the look of it, but It would be a nightmare to maintain with Bermuda though. I'm thinking about getting some old brick and doing a upright diagonal pattern for a bed I have planned. Like this:

 

I just did that jnick. Still have to finish planting some daylilies.

 

Great demonstration! You make it look so easy. I am going to try this method next time.

If you have trouble keeping straight lines with a trimmer for edging, try this method.. The seed shop I goto was slow so I was just chatting with the guys there about it joking about how terrible I was and he said hey try it this way and it clicked!

 

I like the look of that. How did you dig those trenches so perfectly?

I just did that jnick. Still have to finish planting some daylilies.

 

I like the look of that. How did you dig those trenches so perfectly?

I just did that jnick. Still have to finish planting some daylilies.

Trust me they weren't perfect. I dug out the trench and did my best to keep it straight. I didn't bother with string. Then i just made adjustments as needed.

 

I don't have a good picture that shows my beds , but I agree that the "treched" beds are the best looking. Check out the rental places near you for a "bed definer" or "bed shaper". Home depot carrys them. They make very quick work to create the trench. I have a bed "redefiner" attachment for my stihl kombi that does a nice job of keeping them cleaned out.
As for keeping the grass edged, nothing beats a metal edger.

 

I don't have a good picture that shows my beds , but I agree that the "treched" beds are the best looking. Check out the rental places near you for a "bed definer" or "bed shaper". Home depot carrys them. They make very quick work to create the trench. I have a bed "redefiner" attachment for my stihl kombi that does a nice job of keeping them cleaned out.
As for keeping the grass edged, nothing beats a metal edger.

Thanks for sharing. This is the yard that came to mind when this thread was started - the best I've seen. :thumbup:

 

I thought if you did this, then you filled the trench with mulch up to level. But looking at the pics, it looks like you put some mulch in the trench, but basically leave it as a trench, is that right?

 

Just wanted to post my experience with the natural edge.. I did my front two trees a little more wide than what I initially wanted, but it turned out great! Also did my 2 beds against my house.. I used a fiscars edger and just bottomed it out for the depth (about 4 inches or so). It took me about a week to do (I have a 1 year old and a 4 year old).

I think it turned out pretty good! here are a few pics:

Doing one of my trees:



Night Shot! (a lot of this work was done in the evening after the kiddos went to bed)



Taken a few weeks ago:



The main beds still need a little grooming.

I have found myself paying close attention to how the edges look every day

 

Welcome to TLF, I'm glad you found us. Those sharp edges look great!

 

I like it. I'd love to do this, but nervous about the commitment to keeping the bermuda out.

 

I like it. I'd love to do this, but nervous about the commitment to keeping the bermuda out.

I really love this look, but am also nervous about the commitment - however I think I will give it a shot on a bed on the side of my house. If it is too much work to keep the Bermuda at bay, I will put edging back in place.

 

I like it. I'd love to do this, but nervous about the commitment to keeping the bermuda out.

I really love this look, but am also nervous about the commitment - however I think I will give it a shot on a bed on the side of my house. If it is too much work to keep the Bermuda at bay, I will put edging back in place.

That's a great idea. :thumbup: