Landscaping Bricks

Photo courtesy of dailyinvention

Even a small patio in the backyard can spruce up the area, and provide a place for rest and relaxation. Landscaping bricks can also be used in backyard landscaping as edging around planting areas to prevent grass from invading the area, or to keep the creeping habit of creeping plants to a minimum.

The nicest use I’ve seen for landscaping bricks are when used around the edges, or border, of a backyard landscape design. When the bricks are level with the grass, it makes mowing the grass a breeze, and creates a very clean appearance. There are landscaping bricks available today that form an “L” shape so that one side can lay flush with the lawn (eliminating the need for edging) and the other side can rise up an inch or two above the planting area to create a border to hold mulch, and a provide a decorative edge. When these are installed correctly, the look is quite appealing.

While the installation of landscaping bricks is more detailed than what I usually like to embark upon in my own yard, the end result is often worth the hassle. Follow these tips to make sure you’re laying your bricks correctly.

1. First, dig a trench along the area you wish to lay the bricks. Dig it 2-3 inches deeper than the depth of the brick, and approximately 1-2 inches wider than the width of the brick.

2. Tamp the soil (in other words, pound it down to compact it – this will minimize the amount of “shifting” the bricks do in the future). There is an actual tool to accomplish this, which can be purchased at your local lawn and garden center.

3. Pour 2-3 inches of sand in the ditch so that once the bricks are placed within, they will lay slightly above ground level. Setting the bricks at this height allows for a small amount of settling in the future.

4. Tamp the sand in the same fashion as you did with the soil.

5. Lay the bricks in the bed of sand, making them as level as possible. If they are "leaning" a touch one way or the other, make sure they are leaning towards the lawn. If they are leaning the other way, it will look awkward.

6. Fill the back side of the brick (the side that butts up against the landscaping plot) with sand to stabilize it. Cover in the remaining area with soil.

It certainly isn't necessary to use bricks, or any other type of edging material, around your landscaped plots, but it can add a clean, neat touch to the area if it is done properly.

I have used bricks around the plantings around my pool, however I did this solely because I had extra bricks laying around my yard, otherwise, I probably wouldn't have gone through the trouble. I have received compliments on the area however, so maybe it was worth it!

I hope this information was helpful to you. As always, happy landscaping!

Return from Landscaping Bricks to Garden Mulch