How To Create Garden Border: Depths & Shapes

Last Updated on August 9, 2022 by Real Men Sow

It is important to think about the shape and depth of your garden borders before you plant them. Consider the effect you are trying to create. Straight borders are more formal, while curved borders can be used to create a more casual look. Deep borders can be used to plant more plants and hide some parts of your garden like sheds and walls. If you don’t have enough space, but want to soften some areas of your garden, narrow or shallow borders can be useful.

Garden Border Edges

Once you have all of this in place, you can begin digging around the edges. To avoid any unwanted deviations along the line, make sure you have a visual guide. A piece of twine, tied taut with canes, is a good option for straight edges. To create curving edges, lay a length of hose in the desired shape and then use a spade to cut along it.

Where to position your garden borders

Consider the amount of sun the area gets, the soil type, and the exposure to the site when deciding where to place your borders. These factors can have an impact on the plants that you plant there. You may also need to amend the soil before planting.

Border Depths

Borders can be as small as a spade’s width or as deep as several meters. You can get a good idea of how big you want your borders to be by going out into the garden to look at potential locations. Consider any potential eyesores that you would like to conceal with a border. Also, consider things that aren’t covered by soil or plants such as drain inspection covers.

Consider any other elements that may be near your border. A border of fragrant plants, for example, would look great next to a bench or patio.

How to make straight border shape

Straight-edged borders have a more formal appearance. This is partly due to the plants used – soft, billowing grasses, ornamental grasses, and other plants can help offset the effects of straight edges. Consider curved borders for small gardens. They can increase the space’s size.

Border Shapes: Sweeping Curves

A curved border can make a space seem larger than it is. When creating these borders, it is important to create a straight line. To experiment with the size and shape of the border, use a length hose. It can be used as a guide when you dig.

Border Shapes: Undulating And Amorphous

Although undulating border edges look beautiful, the key to success is to not make the ‘waves or undulations too small. To enhance the undulating effect you can add plants. Let plants spill over border edges at regular intervals to create a rhythmic rise and fall’ effect. Amorphous borders are more curvy, with curves of different sizes and depths that mimic the flow of a river.

How To Keep Your Borders Looking Good

Hidden metal edging can be used to reduce lawn borders. Learn how to trim lawn edges with shears. The maintenance of borders near paving is less important.

Real Men Sow
Real Men Sow

Hello, I’m Pete and I’m currently based in the west of Scotland, in a small place called Rosneath, where I’m exploring my garden adventures. I personally started gardening around 6 years ago and initially, I started out by growing my favorite fruits and berries, such as strawberries, Raspberries & Gooseberries. Since then I’ve added a lot of vegetables and working closely with my neighbor, it’s been a lot of fun.