With bed borders made of concrete, a high-quality separation of bed and lawn is possible - at an amazingly low price. You can find out what specifically characterizes the material in the context of the limitations and how you can design bed borders made of concrete in our detailed guide, test and comparison.

Concrete is durable and strong

Table of Contents

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  1. What are the basic characteristics of bed borders made of concrete?
  2. What types of concrete bed borders are there?
  3. Other purchase criteria
  4. What brands are there?
  5. How do I care for concrete bed borders?
  6. frequently asked Questions

    7. What are the basic characteristics of bed borders made of concrete?

    Concrete is a modern material that can be used in many ways. It is also or especially ideal for edging beds.

    Short definition of concrete

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    Many people think of concrete as a naturally occurring substance. However, this is a mistake. In fact, the material is a man-made building material. This is mixed as a heterogeneous mixture of a binder and so-called additives with the addition of liquid.

    Note: Hardened concrete is sometimes referred to as artificial stone - no wonder given the artificial production and stone look.

    Common normal concrete contains cement as a binder and aggregate as an aggregate. The chemical setting process - i.e. hardening - is initiated by the added water.

    Concrete would be difficult to process without other additives and admixtures. Appropriate additives are therefore added to normal concrete after it has hardened. Only then does the mixture dry completely.

    Beneficial properties of concrete borders

    Concrete edgings come in many different designs

    There are many good reasons why concrete is ideal for edging beds. Due to the extreme hardness and pronounced weather resistance, the material has proven to be particularly durable. In addition, bed borders (€29.90) made of concrete are very easy to care for. Not to forget that the exact dimensions of concrete blocks make it much easier to lay the bed edging yourself. Each individual concrete element fits to the centimeter, so that strictly geometric bed contours can be realized without major problems even by an inexperienced hobby gardener. Accordingly, concrete blocks bring the realization of the dream of a Japanese garden with wonderfully clean finishes within reach.

    Other points that speak in favor of buying a bed edging made of concrete are the lawn mower-friendliness (see FAQ section) and also the pleasant fact that concrete borders are available in a variety of colors and shapes, for example in brown or gray as well as square corners or palisades . Thus, the detailed implementation of the concrete border can be individually adjusted.

    When you read up on all the benefits of concrete, it comes as a surprise that bed borders made of this material are extremely inexpensive compared to most other materials. You usually pay one to a maximum of three euros per meter. Only plastic bed edgings cost even less.

    Important: The low price is impressive. However, keep in mind that concrete is a very heavy material. There may be additional costs for transport.

    Disadvantageous features of concrete edging

    Concrete surrounds can seem a bit bulky and sober

    It is true that bed edgings made of concrete are relatively simple and therefore unobtrusive border solutions; in most cases, however, they are not really beautiful and decorative. In this respect, you should take a close look before you buy and consider whether you like the massive look of concrete in your garden (and whether it even fits your basic garden style).

    tips

    Thanks to modern production methods, more and more concrete blocks appear wonderfully natural - looking as if they came straight from the quarry. This impression can be intensified even further with carefully selected color tones such as granite brown or shell limestone, as well as with special surfaces (e.g. a layer of quartz).

    Furthermore, installing bed borders made of concrete is relatively time-consuming compared to laying borders made of other materials - especially if the respective border is also intended to serve as a root barrier.

    General pros and cons of concrete bed borders

    benefits
    • enormously weather-resistant
    • very durable
    • extremely easy to care for
    • enables clean finishes
    disadvantage
    • often not particularly beautiful or decorative
    • comparatively difficult to install

    What types of concrete bed borders are there?

    There are different types of bed edging made of concrete, such as these:

    • lawn edging stones
    • palisades
    • mowing edges

    Lawn edging stones in the test

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    With classic, square lawn edging stones you delimit the lawn or the plants and prevent accidental damage. By placing concrete block next to concrete block, you create a simple, absolutely neutral border that is neither positively nor negatively noticeable (optically speaking).

    Palisade in check

    Concrete palisades are available in a wide variety of designs - for example as rectangular palisades or as round or semi-round palisades. Your taste determines which variant is best for your garden (and of course the basic design of your green oasis).

    Recommendation: Angular palisades with a natural stone look create an extremely elegant appearance and ensure a harmonious ambience in your garden. However, round palisades in warm tones can also have a very decorative effect.

    Mowing edges in the test

    As the name suggests, concrete mowing edges are primarily intended to make mowing your lawn easier. The flat concrete blocks give you the opportunity to simply drive your lawn mower over them.

    Practical: mowing edges with a rounded end can also be laid in curves without any problems.

    Other purchase criteria

    In addition to the specific design, you should also consider the following criteria when buying a concrete bed edging in order to ultimately find the ideal variant for your individual needs:

    • height
    • color

    height

    Depending on the height of the bed edging, the effect is very different

    Do you just want to use the concrete edging to create a visual separation between bed and lawn, or should the edging also prevent deep-rooted plants from spreading into the ground without permission?

    • In the first case, a low concrete border is sufficient.
    • In the second case, you need a fairly high boundary to be able to embed it deep into the garden soil.

    In specialist shops there are bed borders made of concrete in very different heights, for example

    • 30 cm,
    • 40cm,
    • 50cm and
    • 60 cm.

    Note: Most concrete lawn edging stones are 25 to 30 centimeters high.

    color

    It is best to choose the color depending on what fits well into your garden style. Since concrete edgings come in a wide variety of shades - especially those that are close to nature - you can enjoy a large selection in this regard.

    What brands are there?

    Here is a brief overview of popular brands for concrete bed edgings (in alphabetical order):

    • Beckman
    • Gardena
    • geoBORDER
    • Richard Brink
    • Thomas Phillips

    It is best to buy bed borders made of concrete in a hardware store - either directly on site or online. The advantage of ordering on the Internet is that the heavy concrete blocks are delivered to your home, so you save yourself having to transport them yourself. In addition to others, the following hardware stores are possible:

    • stretcher
    • Globe hardware store
    • Hagebau
    • bright way
    • Hornbach
    • OBI
    • toom

    How do I care for concrete bed borders?

    One of the great advantages of concrete bed edgings is that they are easy to care for. In fact, borders made of this almost indestructible material do not require any special care measures.

    tips

    If the concrete blocks are dirty, it is best to clean them with a cleaner intended for the special material. Appropriate means are available in every hardware store. As a precaution, you can order a suitable care product for your concrete bed edging.

    frequently asked Questions

    How can I build a concrete bed border myself?

    Concrete bed borders can also be poured yourself

    You can also build bed borders made of concrete yourself. We have two handy step-by-step guides for you:

    • Poured concrete border
    • Bed boundary made of prefabricated concrete slabs

    Design bed borders made of poured concrete

    Suitability: for curved beds with tight curves

    Manual:

    1. Dig a trench about 25 to 40 centimeters deep.
    2. Fill the trench halfway with gravel.
    3. Compact gravel well.
    4. Add fine grit (46.95€).
    5. Also compact grit.
    6. Install stable formwork.
    7. Fill the formwork with terrace concrete.
    8. Compact concrete by hitting the material vigorously with the aid of a flat trowel.
    9. Cover the work surface with boards to protect it.
    10. Leave to dry for at least three days.
    11. Only then remove the protective boards again.
    12. Fill the bed border on the bed and lawn side with topsoil. Ready!

    Create bed boundaries from prefabricated concrete slabs

    Suitability: for all beds

    Preliminary remark: Concrete slabs can also be poured yourself using the DIY method. This has the advantage that you can adapt the dimensions specifically to your needs. How it works:

    • Build a square frame from slats.
    • Sprinkle the mold with fine sand.
    • Pour in concrete and compact.
    • Allow the concrete to dry thoroughly.

    If pouring it yourself is too much effort, simply use prefabricated concrete slabs from the hardware store.

    In the following instructions, we will tell you how to install the self-made or purchased concrete slabs:

    1. Dig a ditch. This must be at least 25 centimeters deeper than the part of the concrete slab that should ultimately protrude into the ground. Example: Would you like to "counter" 15 centimeters of the plate? Then you need a trench at least 40 centimeters deep.
    2. Fill the ditch with a ten centimeter thick layer of gravel.
    3. Compact the gravel layer.
    4. Fill in the same amount of grit as before gravel.
    5. Compress this ingredient carefully as well.
    6. Lay out a bed of mortar about four inches thick.
    7. Place the concrete blocks in the prepared bed and align.
    8. Tap the stones with the plastic hammer.
    9. Bevel the mortar bed towards the lawn and bed.
    10. Let everything dry thoroughly.
    11. Finally, backfill the border of the bed with topsoil.

    How do I lay a lawn edge made of concrete in a lawnmower-friendly way?

    In order to be able to drive over the concrete lawn edge with the lawnmower wheel without any problems, it is advisable to lay it flat.

    If you want a bed border that extends a few centimeters above ground level, it is advisable to additionally pave the border. In this way, you protect the mowing blades and reduce the effort you have to take care of your lawn.

    What options are there for attractive and/or functional concrete borders?

    • Lawn edging stones with a rounded top for a clear separation of bed and lawn
    • Cornerstones that match the lawn edging stones for a geometrically appealing bed border
    • Half-round mowing edging stones for designing curved bed borders in or next to the lawn
    • Palisade made of concrete with a wood look for a durable border with a natural look
    • Concrete blocks in earth color and shingle profile for the atmospheric framing of Mediterranean beds
    • Concrete bricks as an inexpensive alternative to natural stone for low dry walls
    • Concrete trough stones for reliable drainage of excess rainwater (very helpful in beds with regular waterlogging)

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