▷ How to separate a flowerbed from the lawn: without plastic and without edges

The most popular ways to separate a flowerbed from the lawn are based on the need to bury a barrier: plastic curbs, pebbles, metal tape. But don’t overlook the simple old-fashioned method: the groove. I will tell you how to do this work easier and faster:

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Let’s compare different separation methods

If you have firmly decided on the outline of the flowerbed, it is worth thinking about a stable long-term solution:

Plastic curbs are a great solution, but not everyone is comfortable putting plastic on their land;
The wavy plastic dividing strips are disappearing faster than a new moon, let alone them;
Metal straps (painted or rusted) are a great option, but they are quite expensive. Keep in mind that if the strip is higher than ground level, the mower will hit the strip when mowing, so you will need a brush cutter or special shears for that section;
Pavers or flagstones are a beautiful solution that lasts a long time. It will be necessary to compact the soil under them, which means that widening or narrowing the bed will be a big job;
Stones – I wouldn’t recommend this, because you won’t be able to mow right next to them, you’ll have to use a brush cutter or grass shears, otherwise you’ll always have clumps of grass.

Well, if you want to maintain the freedom to change the width of the flowerbed whenever you want, or if you simply want the most economical and natural solution, opt for separation with a spade.

When should you use this method?

The essence of this method is to dig a shallow furrow between the flowerbed and the lawn. It is simply inconvenient for the lawn to grow sideways to the flowerbed: who would want to grow vertically. This method is not eternal, but it effectively slows the spread of the lawn.

Some choose to dig a fairly deep ditch. I saw it in a nursery: the flowerbed was at the same height as the lawn and they were separated by a ditch (half a spade deep).

Another way is to install the flower bed slightly lower than the lawn. A slight elevation is enough to slow down the lawn.

How often does this work need to be done, you ask? The more often, the easier it is to work. Already after a month you will see that the rigid line of the lawn has softened. However, if you are not very precise, a couple of times a year will be enough.

How to separate a flowerbed from a lawn is simpler and faster

Use these tricks to make the job easy and fun.

How to make it easier. It is very good if it has rained a lot recently and the ground is still wet. Then it will be easy to bury him. Don’t underestimate this advice: the difference is really evident.

What tools to use. A pointed spade is not suitable for this job, choose a square spade with sharp edges. “Gardena” also has a special shovel for lawn edges, the blade shape of which is semicircular – it is even more convenient to work with it, because the digging depth is perfect – just what you need. So a little effort is saved and the work goes more smoothly.

How to speed up. Normally the spade is lowered, thus digging a section of the lawn equal to the width of the spade. This process can be accelerated: throw the shovel at an angle of 45 degrees.