The Benefits of Concrete Landscape Edging

Sometimes your garden just won't stay where it's supposed to stay. And sometimes the grass on one's lawn is being quite pesky no matter how you try to hold it back. Believe me, I know all about this. It was my life until I realized that there was already a solution to stubborn plant movement and I found that in my discovery of concrete landscape edging for yards. This is so simple and profound a technique that I can not believe I didn't learn of it sooner but I'm so happy that I did.

Landscape edging helps to keep your lawn looking nice and neat. Another thing about concrete landscape edging is that it serves a dual purpose: it also styles up your yard if done well and artistically. Most people think of concrete as a soulless, drab hardened mixture, but this is not necessarily so. In the hands of a deft landscaper, concrete can be transformed into very beautiful and subtle patterns - all the while keeping a stern hand of discipline on the flora.

Grass and shrubs will never stray from inside of the borders you choose for them anymore. The concrete will make sure of that! I also suggest you either learn how to do this well or hire someone who is good at it already. Not everyone can just pour this stuff into a beautiful edge; it could be disastrous and embarrassing. With a little knowledge you will surely come to have the nicest yard on your block.

Concrete Landscape Edging

When you are living on the suburbs, there is an ongoing competition where your front lawn says a lot about you and how well - off you are. And what would be more humiliating than a front lawn that looks like the jungle in Vietnam. So why not give it a classy and professional look. Who you would do that, you ask. Well, you could try concrete landscape edging. It has lots of benefits for your front lawn and your backyard and it would definitely save you from the trouble of being branded as a careless and untidy person. It would definitely make your flower beds look more organized, cleaner and nicer. It also provides each the sections of your lawn a neater appearance, like it is well - groomed. And the best thing about this is that you could actually do these things yourself. All you need is some effort and some few basic tools and you are ready to place edgers that would improve the entire look of your front lawn.

First things first. You should determine the exact type of concrete landscape edging that would suit your preference. Anything that would make you feel a little bit comfortable with it. You could even pour down concrete and make a concrete landscape edging out of it. It is perhaps the easiest method of making it. You should choose from a variety of option that includes:

Straight lengths
Circular lengths
Curved lengths
Swirled lengths

These are intended to be compatible with others so that you connect them without a problem at all. They would link together perfectly. By doing so, you would be able to create flowerbeds out of it. You could also actually pick colors that would fit your preference. Available colors are green, tan, and beige. Pick one that would perfectly fit your existing landscape.

Next, you need to mark your borders. To do this, you need to measure it firs. You can use strings and tie it wooden sticks so that you could mark where you want to place the flower beds. For curved concrete landscape edging, try using an ordinary garden hose and lay it down according to the shape or curve that you wanted. Then use either of the following to mark the edge in which you want to place the curved concrete landscape edging"

Spray Paint
Flour
Chalk

Now, you have to dig up some sort of trench for your concrete landscape edging. The size should be at least the same size or width as the edgers. But to be totally sure, make the trench a bit wider. Remove all the debris, rocks and other objects when you dig the trench. The bottom of the trench should be leveled using sand. Lay down the concrete landscape edging and pour a thin layer of concrete on the trench. This is to make sure that the concrete landscape edging is secured. You should lay the concrete first before the concrete landscape edging.

So now that you know how to make your own concrete landscape edging, I guess it's time to make one for your front lawn.

Professional Quality Concrete Landscape Edging - 5 Telltale Signs

As with any contractors, not all concrete landscape edging companies are alike. Since you can't "try before you buy", here are 5 telltale signs to guide your search for the right contractor.

1. Determine if the company is a "concrete contractor."

In the concrete landscape edging business, being a "concrete contractor" is a key indicator of the company's professional standing. This tells you the company holds the highest industry licensing and that they are insured.

Concrete contractors provide professionals for your concrete landscape edging that are covered under the company's own insurance. Less professional services do not provide this assurance, leaving your home owner's policy to cover any injured workers who are either not or improperly insured.

On the contrary, a concrete contractor takes full responsibility for their staff, alleviating that burden from you.

2. Initial and follow-up responsiveness.

If it takes a company more than a day to respond to your first phone call, there's a good chance things will go downhill from there. This is a general customer service principle, not just in the concrete landscape edging business.

Most often, the longer it takes a company to get back to you the first time, the longer -and longer - it will take them to get back to you with subsequent calls and requests. Responsiveness isn't just an important indicator of customer service, it tells you how serious the concrete landscape edging provider is about their business.

3. They do what they say they're going to do.

If the lights went out in your house, you'd called an electrician, hoping he'd be right over. If he showed up three weeks later -in the middle of dinner - would you still want to work with him?

The same idea follows in concrete landscape edging contractors. If you set up an initial survey of what you'd like to do, and they show up late--beware. Look for a service that not only shows up when they say they will, but shows up a few minutes early.

Chances are good your concrete landscape edging project will run smoothly and on time from there.

4. They don't use subcontractors.

Concrete landscape edging is a skill acquired in both specific training and practice. It is difficult to be sure that a subcontractor has the requisite expertise. Therefore, a concrete landscape edging service that uses only their own on-staff, factory-trained technicians provides a higher and more consistent level of quality.

5. Appearance

Without sounding too starched, it should be said that appearance does make a big difference. Compare the concrete landscape edging workers who show up with shirts untucked and unbuttoned with those who wear a neat and clean company version.

A company shirt is an outward mark of a professional attitude and work ethic. The person working for the company is more clear about the principles and values through which the company operates. For that matter, a company that puts some thought into appearance also makes a statement about how seriously they view their business.

Appearance may not be everything, but it definitely counts for a lot.

A strong beginning most often leads to a beautiful end. Look for photo samples of prior work. If you like what you see, use these five telltale signs to find a concrete landscape edging service worth their weight. Find a company that excels on all five, and you've found a winner.