Bed edging is essential to protect the sometimes delicate plants from snapping off in strong winds. They also ensure a clearly defined lawn edge and support the soil of raised beds. Did you know that all this benefit costs nothing? You can’t only get robust and visually attractive flower bed edgings from specialist retailers. Due to their elasticity, willow rods are ideal for weaving a specially made fence. Another advantage, in addition to the low-cost production, is of course the rustic and at the same time elegant appearance, which fits perfectly into a cottage garden. If you make your own, the visual design is entirely up to you. Read here how you can build your own bed edging made of willow and which variants are available to you.

A braided bed border takes some work, but looks very pretty

Build bed edging out of willow yourself

Obtaining the rods

There are three options for obtaining the rods:

  • Purchase on the Internet or in specialist shops
  • Use pasture from your own garden
  • Find free-standing willow and cut off branches

Of course, the trade has already pre-cut willow rods in different lengths. But if you don't want to spend any money, simply cut the branches yourself. Do you have your own pasture in the garden? Perfect, here you can easily remove a few branches. Otherwise, go to a free-standing pasture. Most often you will find the deciduous tree

  • on river banks
  • at horse paddocks
  • in avenues

Only cut off as many branches as you estimate you will need. In the summer months, cutting a willow is prohibited so as not to disturb nesting birds. In the period from October to February, however, nothing speaks against it.

tips

Feel free to use different types of willow. In most cases, the different shades of color create even more impressive patterns. The branches of the purple willow, for example, are reddish in color and harmonize wonderfully with those of the white willow.

texture of the rods

However, you must first decide whether you want to build a living or a stagnant border. The former consists of young shoots that continue to develop even after braiding. If, on the other hand, you want little maintenance, it is better to choose older branches.

tips

In order for your willow rods to grow as a bed border, you have to stick them vertically into the ground.

preparation

  1. Cut off one end of the branches at an angle.
  2. Soak the rods in water to make them more pliable.
  3. Choose a location for your bed and loosen the soil at this point.

Required material

  • a hammer
  • a saw or secateurs (depending on the thickness of the rods)
  • possibly some wire
  • narrow wooden poles

manual

  1. Drive the wooden stakes into the ground around the bed
  2. Now braid the willow rods around the posts.
  3. To do this, run them long in front of and behind the wooden stakes in alternating order.
  4. Tighten the rods at the end.
  5. After a few layers, switch braiding direction.
  6. If necessary, fix the willow rods with thin wire.
  7. Cut off the protruding ends of the willow rods.

tips

With regard to the braiding pattern, you can let your creativity run free. Change the order in which you tie the branches around the stakes as often as you like.

You will be surprised at how easy it is to braid a willow border. If you forget yourself in the euphoria of what is happening, that's no problem at all. Bed edging that is too large also serves as a fence or privacy screen.

Longevity information

With careful construction, a bed edging made of willow proves to be just as durable as a wooden or wire fence. If you have fastened the rods well, the wood will probably last a full 5-7 years. To make the branches even more weather-resistant, we recommend using wood oil.
If you would like to renew your bed frame made of willow, simply dispose of the old weave in the organic waste bin.

Category:

Trees