A Home for Your Veggies: Make a Raised Garden Bed

Adding a Mowing Edge

Grass doesn't grow well too close to a raised bed, since the soil tends to be dry and any overhanging plants create shade. A strip of bricks, sunk slightly lower than the level of the sod, creates a clean edge to allow for easy mowing.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Garden Design © 2009 Dorling Kindersley Limited

Prepping the Area

Using a spare brick to measure the appropriate width for your mowing edge, set up a line of string to act as a guide (image 1). Dig out a strip of soil deep enough to accommodate the bricks, plus 1 inch of mortar.

Lay a level mortar mix in the bottom of the trench as a foundation for the bricks (image 2). Set them on top, leaving a small gap between each brick. This design is straight, but mowing edges can also be set around curves.

Positioning the Bricks

With a level, check that the bricks are aligned and positioned slightly below the surface of the lawn (when set in place, you should be able to mow straight over them). Use a rubber mallet to gently tap them into position (image 1).

Use a dry mix to mortar the joints between the bricks, working the mixture in with a trowel (image 2). Clean off the excess with a stiff brush.