Friday, June 14, 2019

How To Install Plastic Bender Board

By Eric Rogers


Being able to show off your yard after a great landscaping job is done is a huge source of pride. Many neighborhood associations give rewards to those that take the extra time and effort to make their yard look great. One aspect of this is having a clear delineation between the flowerbeds and the grassy turf. Using a plastic bender board is a great way to accomplish this. The material keeps weeds at bay and will prevent the turf from growing into the flowerbeds or other decorations you want to protect.

Two types are in use. One is made from natural wood fibers. These work great, but over time will deteriorate and be absorbed into the soil. They will have to be replaced in time. The plastic version is made from recycled materials and won't fall apart or deteriorate over time. It will last for years and do the job effectively.

The first step in placing them is to figure out how long they should be. One method is to place stakes at intervals along the path where they will be placed. Stretch a string between each stake and when finished, measure the length of the string. This prevents you from having to measure every angle and twist in the path and still be sure you have enough material. If you're unsure, add some inches to the final measurement.

When you are done measuring and getting the material, it is time to dig. The hole should be about six inches wide and deep enough for the whole board to sit below the surface. Don't dispose of the dirt because you are going to need it at the end to fill the hole back in.

After digging, start putting in the stakes. You should have several to help hold the board in place. As you hammer them in with your rubber mallet, make sure they are placed so the material will sit on the turf side of the stakes. This will keep the grass from growing where it shouldn't.

The fourth step is to cut the material to length and place in the ground. It is easier if you roll the material out next to the trench. When done, make your cuts and slide the border into the hole and secure it to the stakes. This keeps it in place. If you notice any areas that are riding too high and will be exposed, just use a trowel and dig the dirt out from under it and place it to the side.

You are finally ready to fill in the hole. The dirt you set aside earlier should be right next to the trench. Just use a shovel or rake to fill it in and cover the board. You should use all the dirt and have a bit of a mound on top. This will settle over time. If you want to begin placing a rock border, feel free to start the process after you tamp down the dirt to make it nice and compact. If you wait for the next project the dirt will settle and you won't have to go back and work the rock formation again.

Once all of this is done your border will look great. Allow some time for the mound over the path to settle. If you are going to place rocks over it to beautify it, feel free to do that right away as this will help it settle faster. This will keep the weeds and turn from growing into the flower beds.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment