Low Maintenance Yard
By: Nexstar Staff
Updated: February 3, 2012
Recessed stone edging allows you to place your mower wheel directly on the edging. This prevents the need to trim around the bed.
Tools needed:
Garden Hose
Spade
Level
Chisel
Heavyweight Hammer
Protective Glasses
Gloves
2" x 12" x 18" piece of wood
Piece of old carpet
Materials needed:
Sections of rectangular cut sandstone (# will depend on the distance of edging required. Be sure to measure before purchasing stone).
Steps for installing recessed stone edging
Using a garden hose, "lay out" the shape of the bed. To keep the bed low maintenance, avoid scalloped edges or sharp angles.
Lay your first stone. Remove the sod under the stone, deep enough that the top of the stone is level with the yard.
Remove the sod for the second stone and place the stone approximately where it will go. If your bed has a curve in it, cutting the stone is required.
Instructions for cutting sandstone
Use a level to mark a line on the second stone, which is parallel to the end of the first stone.
Place the stone to be cut on a 2" x 12" x 18" board, covered with an old piece of carpet. This will provide a surface for the weight of the rock, to be evenly distributed.
Next, place the chisel on the mark. Using the weight of the hammer, tap the complete length of the mark several times. This will create a fault line for the rock to break. Do not hammer the stone with force- this will cause an uneven cut.
Repeat step 3 for the rest of the stones. Keep the stones close together and level with the yard. If stones do not set level, use your hammer to firmly pack soil beneath them.
Tools needed:
Garden Hose
Spade
Level
Chisel
Heavyweight Hammer
Protective Glasses
Gloves
2" x 12" x 18" piece of wood
Piece of old carpet
Materials needed:
Sections of rectangular cut sandstone (# will depend on the distance of edging required. Be sure to measure before purchasing stone).
Steps for installing recessed stone edging
Using a garden hose, "lay out" the shape of the bed. To keep the bed low maintenance, avoid scalloped edges or sharp angles.
Lay your first stone. Remove the sod under the stone, deep enough that the top of the stone is level with the yard.
Remove the sod for the second stone and place the stone approximately where it will go. If your bed has a curve in it, cutting the stone is required.
Instructions for cutting sandstone
Use a level to mark a line on the second stone, which is parallel to the end of the first stone.
Place the stone to be cut on a 2" x 12" x 18" board, covered with an old piece of carpet. This will provide a surface for the weight of the rock, to be evenly distributed.
Next, place the chisel on the mark. Using the weight of the hammer, tap the complete length of the mark several times. This will create a fault line for the rock to break. Do not hammer the stone with force- this will cause an uneven cut.
Repeat step 3 for the rest of the stones. Keep the stones close together and level with the yard. If stones do not set level, use your hammer to firmly pack soil beneath them.
