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Dry stone border edging
Jayne Johnson
Posts: 14
I have been thinking about creating a new border and considering what border edging would be best. Has anyone built a curved dry stone wall as edging for a slightly raised flower bed? Where would I get the stones from and how difficult is building a dry stone low wall? Any advice?
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I've built a few but as PF says, they are made from the stones that come out of the ground when you dig a hole anywhere in my garden. It's a handy way to use up the stones, but I'm not sure it's worth importing stones if you don't have them lying around. They do have their issues, as PF says - the slugs love them, as do mice and other creatures, and you have to know what you're doing to get them to stay standing up, especially with soil behind them.
It might be cheaper to get a local brickie to build you a wall than to buy the stone. But if you really want to go the natural stone route, you need to find the nearest quarry to you and ask the how much they charge. DEFINITELY don't buy stones from a garden centre. It can be worth asking your local builders' merchant as they may have a good rate agreed with the local quarry and may have more flexible delivery options.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Just looked at Flexi-Border Edging. Anyone used this?
I prefer an edging which is below the level of the grass to facilitate easier mowing. Raised edges are a nuisance and I try to avoid them if I possibly can.
I try to avoid creating a raised bed in a lawn unless it's unavoidable ... we have one as it's supporting a high bank.
Last edited: 20 February 2018 11:25:58
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Might a dry stone edging to a border become a nightmare to weed?
Just a thought.
You would have to strim the grass up to the wall which is a pain.
Like Raisingirl, we have walls where there are changes in level and they are made from stones dug out of the ground. Buying stone is very expensive. My husband really enjoyed building the walls and said it wasn't difficult. The dogs use them as launch pads and our grandchildren clambered all over them with only minor damage. they do indeed harbour slugs but also lots of other wildlife,
thank you all for your advice. As it's going to be a flower border, I think I'll refrain from a dry stone wall after reading your comments about slugs etc. I'll need to re think my project and do more research into border edging. Maybe consider the Flexi edging.
diolch yn fawr i chi gyd.
You're in Wales! Plenty of dry stone walls there.
I’m trying to make a start on our (new home) garden. Did you use the flexi edging after?
I’m thinking of using timber guys, what do you use???