Garden path curbs: 6 best path design ideas

Why do you need a border

Garden paths can be fully concreted or covered with linoleum. Then the weed will not disturb the neat appearance of the flower beds and beds. But if the main material is wood, which is most susceptible to decay, you cannot do without borders. They clearly outline the boundaries of flower beds and lawns, and also contribute to the effective zoning of space in the country.

This creates order and harmony, corresponding to the trends of a certain style of landscape design. The practical functions of such fences include:

• preservation of the original volume of fertile soil in the garden;
• retention of melt water that can disrupt the integrity of paths from tree cuts;
• protection of paths from dirt;
• planting plants by varieties.

A properly installed curb made of aluminum elements and even improvised means significantly reduces the need for frequent watering and weeding. As for the choice of materials, the final decision depends on their performance properties. For example, impact-resistant metal is more suitable for fencing paths made of crushed stone, and moisture and UV-resistant plastic, in addition to all its advantages, is lightweight. This allows you to use it to create original wavy lines on the site.

Video "Making a border with your own hands"

This video will show you how to make a concrete curb using a vibrating table.

Variants

The enclosing structures must show good resistance to dynamic compression, therefore, it is necessary to use concrete of the M-500 brand in their production. Its increased resistance to moisture allows installation work even in flooded areas, and the minimum setting time contributes to effective use at any time of the year.

To distinguish between lawns and pedestrian areas, curbs will be needed. Unlike conventional curbs, they block the path of pedestrians, making it impossible to move from one area of ​​the site to another. However, these structures also have common features: strengthening the paths along the edges and protecting the border flowers from traffic collisions.

Of the many other options for sidewalk fences, no less attention deserves:

• vibrocast products in the form of curved lines, arcs and steps;
• lawn blocks preventing the possibility of soil slipping;
• road stones that preserve the integrity of the roadway - their minimum shelf life is 35 years, and large sizes contribute to the effective organization of drainage at the summer cottage.

Stone or brick

Both materials are ideal for building small fences in unstable soils. At the same time, experts often use the dry masonry method, in which all structural elements are held by gravity. If we evaluate the indicators of frost resistance of products, it is more logical to prefer the first option. The stone is better able to withstand alternating thawing and freezing. Among its other advantages are good strength, density, hydrophobicity and resistance to abnormally high temperatures.

Hard rocks combine well with wood and polymer materials, and in combination with specially treated glass they perform drainage functions. It is possible to install the sidewalk curb with your hands in a day. For this you need:

1. Make a marking of the site, taking into account the characteristics of the soil and plant formations.
2. Mark the top of the fence with stakes.
3. Dig a trench along the entire length of the marked area. Moreover, its depth should not be more than ⅓ of the top of the stone.
4. Prepare a sand cushion and tamp the loose mixture properly. If this is not done, over time the soil will sag, which will affect not only the paths, but also the plants in the flower beds.
5. Pour in cement mortar and place stones weighing from 8 to 16 kg on the level of the rope.
6. Concrete the joints and do not touch the structure until the concrete is completely solidified. This is possible only in a day.

When using a side stone, on one side of it, you will have to make a small bevel by means of grinding equipment. This will increase the convenience of installation work.

Concrete

If the durability of the product is in the foreground, and only then the appearance, there is no better option. The presented designs show excellent resistance to any manifestation of bad weather. And they also do not require reinforcement and maintenance, which cannot be said about hedges. Concrete blocks can be made using ready-made shapes. Such fences are easy to repair and dismantle.

If the flower beds and flower beds are located a few meters from the main building, you will definitely need a monolithic border. It is unlikely that it will be possible to change its design. But at the casting stage, bends of any complexity can be made. Useful in the work of wooden beams 100x100 mm for formwork, laser level, nails, wire and construction twine. Sand is mixed with cement in a ratio of 3: 1. Then add water and bring the solution to the consistency of thick sour cream.

To create individual elements of the fence, you need to use a mallet, screwdriver and trowel. It is better to make the mold with your own hands, because the finished products are not suitable for conveniently removing the frozen mass. In the best case, slight deformation is possible, and in the worst case, complete destruction of the section. For its self-production, planed beams, screws and a sheet of plywood with a thickness of at least 6 mm are needed.

Having decided on the optimal length of the fence (no more than 120 cm), we proceed to the main work:

1. We mix the cement-sand mortar, and before pouring the foundation, we lubricate the formwork with oil for better adhesion to concrete.
2. We cover the bottom of the form with shells or pebbles.
3. We lay the reinforcement.
4. We tie the rods with metal wire.
5. Fill the remaining space with a mixture and wait for the concrete to solidify completely.
6. After 3 days, we separate the mold, and place the sections in a shady place for further drying.

In the case of a cast border, the shape does not need to be done. The main thing is to dig a trench, and use corrugated board as formwork. Then the concrete mix will take the form of a wave.

Plastic

The plastic curb strips are lightweight, resulting in original winding lines. The optimum width of such structures is 25 cm. Despite the low fire resistance and flexibility to mechanical stress, the material is in demand due to its good resistance to temperature extremes and moisture. If your budget is tight, it is better to buy inexpensive band models in standard sizes. To decorate the site - shock-resistant products imitating wood and natural stone.

Work begins with making a small depression along the entire perimeter of the site. In this case, the width of the ditch must correspond to the dimensions of the curb tape. After it is installed, and the earth around is well tamped, they look for stakes. They serve as a support for the fences.

Handmade supporters will certainly be interested in picturesque options for borders made of plastic bottles with a capacity of 1.5-2 liters.This is a good way to differentiate several functional areas in the garden at once, while saving 70% of the budget.

Wood

The simplest, and most importantly, inexpensive option for fencing. In the work, willow branches, logs and well-dried boards, from which you can knock down boxes of different sizes, will come in handy. The latter serve as the basis of a pyramid suitable for growing cucumbers in tall beds. Of the flowers, asters, chrysanthemums and carnations are more suitable.

Correctly knocked down boxes contribute to the active development of plants. Before use, they should be impregnated with protective compounds and placed on top of each other in the shape of a diamond. In the central part of the structure, you can equip an irrigation system and make drainage. Since conifers are more resistant to moisture and insects, it is recommended to make borders from pine and larch.

Long fences are built from logs. To do this, they are cut into cylinders and immersed in the ground to a depth of 8–10 cm. Structural elements are installed randomly, and if the site is decorated in the style of strict classics, then at the same level.

Live border

We are talking about evergreen fences with a height of 50 to 120 cm. Unlike concrete and stone structures, they need regular maintenance. But you will not find a more original way of zoning garden and park space. Low-growing shrubs are ideal for these purposes: cotoneaster, golden currant and boxwood. From the branches of the latter, it is really possible to weave compositions that can overshadow the beauty of the best flower beds on the site. This plant recovers quickly and lends itself well to pruning.

If there is neither time nor desire for regular care, plant a snowberry or wrinkled rose. Deciduous shrubs do not require frequent watering and grow quickly even on rocky soils.

Metal

Aluminum fences can be tape and sectional. The former protect the soil from erosion, while the latter perform an exclusively decorative function. For the independent device of such curbs, flexible devices with a width of 15 to 30 cm will be needed. They are almost invisible on the site, and this is also the best basis for creating undulating fences.

There is no need to dig a trench. It is enough to use a hammer, with the help of which it is possible to immerse a light and at the same time strong structure to a depth of 5–7 cm. If the ground is solid, you will have to make a small groove. It is better to use wooden pegs as supporting elements.

From improvised means

Unusual tire options should be considered to save budget. So, whole products are dug into the ground up to half, and the cut ones are attached to the logs. For greater structural strength, the latter are "planted" on a concrete solution. PET fences withstand heat and frost well. If you have a large number of glass bottles, you can distinguish between recreation and work areas in the country with an area of ​​5 to 20 squares.

Vine borders look great on eco-styled areas. The main task of the master is to stretch rods with a thickness of 2–2.5 mm between the posts. This can be done vertically, horizontally or in a checkerboard manner. You will need wire to fix the branches.

As an option, you can offer a low border made of clay plates or slate remnants.