Saturday, March 22, 2008

Silver Lining--Permaloc Edging

My garden now has a silver lining. Twas in the 60s Wed and Thurs and so, desirous of permanently wounding myself in the form of stretching muscles not used since, oh, October, I edged. And edged. For 8 hours. 75 feet or so.

I used Permaloc's YardEdge aluminum edging, hoping for a clean / simplistic / professional look. Plus it won't rust and is 100% recyclable. This is not an advertisement. Had I not had clay soil it would've taken 4 hours, but I had to dig the trenches wider than I'd anticipated since the clay didn't give, and to make the edging look the best, 'tis important to let it bend a little the way it wants. Still, it's super easy to bend to your will. Super easy to install (who wants to see that black plastic coiled crap tortured the way it tortures you?). And if you prefer these attributes 'o' ease over price--think I bought 100 feet for around $250 last summer by contacting them directly--then you're golden. Speaking of which, I need another box to do the front, only have 18' left. Pointless info. Pointless.

All you have to do to install this stuff is slide two sections together via pre cut grooves and hammer down two stakes per section. And, hopefully, once the grass grows in, it won't look like you live on a farm and used cut up pig troughs as edging, like in my yard--the point of this type of edging is, of course, just to see the very top edge of 1/8" thick aluminum spacing the grass and mulch. Some day.

And please ignore the fact that the curves aren't perfect--they do get perfect toward the end, along the house's foundation bed, where the cat is watching me work, and where I got the hang of it; still, if you want to cheat a little after you've staked it in, it's easy enough to take wads of clay and force them against the edging, thus tweaking its bends and making it appear you knew what you were doing. In spots. Not everywhere.





10 comments:

Frances, said...

Happy Easter/Spring, Benjamin. I loved this post, it made me smile. I also enjoyed reading your profile on blogger, the writing is first rate, as it should be from one who is studying it. ;-> It does seem your cat was sending you thought waves about how to properly install the edging, which is wonderful, by the way. Very sweet from the window well, keeping you on track. Your garden has such potential, I can't wait to see it green and what your plant choices are.
Frances at Faire Garden

Benjamin Vogt said...

You aren't the only one who can't wait to see it green! I cut most everything down this week (wasn't much there since it was all new), and it look more like a dmz than ever.

Unknown said...

Looks good! That silver will be a nice counterpoint. Will it be easy for you to mow around? Do you just go along with the wheel at the edge, or... ?

Benjamin Vogt said...

Boy, I sure hope I can mow right up to the edge and not have to mow over or on it. It looks like that should work out fine. Grow grass, grow.

Anonymous said...

You're speaking my language...edging that is. There is nothing more gratifying than a crisp edge. I know you are waiting for less crispness in the form of plants but at least you had warm temp. Here...nothing.

Benjamin Vogt said...

Boy Layanee, I hope it ends up being crisper than it is now! I really do like the idea of a hard edge against the soft, wildness of the plants themselves. It was 60 today, but being NE, the wind was 30mph and cool.

kate smudges said...

I like the wavy design and more, I like that the curves aren't perfect.

Your cat looks wonderful in the window! I am envious of you being able to work outside!

Anonymous said...

Great post...I too came across the YardEdge product and used it on my beds last year. I was very pleased with how the whole process went, and the outcome is terrific.

I think once spring hits and your grass and garden come to life, the crisp edge will look great. It makes a nice edge without being the focal point of the garden.

As for mowing, I have done two things. Mowed up to the edging and then used the weed eater to trim along it. Then I tried putting one wheel of the mower inside the bed and mowing right over top of the edging. Both worked out well, but I find it easier to not have to use the weed eater. I'm lazy!

Go here to see a picture of what my front bed looked like last summer:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2379391915_0187a13b76.jpg?v=0

Benjamin Vogt said...

Kate--Thanks, that does make me feel better. I hope it doesn't heave much in the winter and get super distorted.
Anon--Can't follow the link! Help a guy out!

Rosemarie said...

I think it looks good! Cute kitty!