How to lay bricks For Garden Edging Guide

This guide is for the purists who love the aesthetic of a traditional brick border. While it is a classic look, the Canadian climate - specifically the frost heave in the winter and the mud in the spring requires a few extra steps to ensure those bricks don't shift by next year.

Here is the educational breakdown of the process and how it compares to more modern, "low-fuss" alternatives.

How to lay a traditional brick garden border

Step 1: Planning and measurement

Before picking up a shovel, map out your garden edge. If you are going for soft curves, a garden hose is your best friend for visualization. For straight lines, use stakes and a string line to keep everything precise.

To calculate your materials, measure the total length of the bed and divide it by the length of a single brick. If you are planning tight curves, factor in a few extra bricks, as you may need to cut some in half to maintain a smooth radius.

Step 2: Digging the trench

The trench needs to be deep enough for the bricks and a stable base—usually 3 to 4 inches. Using a flat-bladed spade or a manual lawn edger will help you get those clean, vertical walls.

Once the soil is removed, line the bottom with a paver base (crushed stone). In Canada, this step is non-negotiable; without a stone base, the moisture in the soil will freeze, expand, and push your bricks out of alignment within a single season. Tamp this base down until it is firm and level.

Step 3: Setting the bricks

Start at one end and place your first brick, tapping it into the base with a rubber mallet. Use a level to check your progress frequently.

Pro-Tip: Aim for a very slight slope away from the garden bed. This encourages water to drain toward the lawn rather than pooling at the base of your plants, which can cause root rot or localized flooding during heavy rain.

Step 4: Securing and backfilling

Once the bricks are set, sweep fine masonry sand into the joints. This "locks" the bricks together. If your property has drainage issues, adding a thin layer of gravel under the paver base can provide extra protection. Finally, use the excavated soil to backfill both sides of the bricks, tamping it down to provide lateral support.

Step 5: Long-term upkeep

A brick border is a living project. Over time, bricks will settle or shift, especially after a harsh winter. You should expect to occasionally re-level sections, refresh the joint sand, and pull the weeds that inevitably find their way into the cracks.

The drawbacks of traditional brick edging

While beautiful, brick edging is labour-intensive. The process of digging, levelling, and tamping takes significant time and muscle. Furthermore, even a perfectly installed brick border is susceptible to the Canadian freeze-thaw cycle, which can leave your once-straight line looking jagged after a few years.

Water management is another concern. Bricks act as a solid barrier; if they aren't sloped correctly, they can trap water inside your garden beds. This is why many homeowners eventually look toward integrated landscape drainage solutions to handle the runoff that bricks can't.

Modern alternatives: Plastic and metal edging

If you want the clean look of a border without the weekend-long labour and yearly maintenance, modern alternatives from Vodaland offer a "set it and forget it" solution.

Plastic Garden Edging: This is the most flexible option. It’s lightweight, handles curves effortlessly, and doesn't require the deep trenching or heavy stone base that bricks do. It is also more "forgiving" on sloped terrain, allowing water to move more naturally.
Metal Garden Edging: For a sleek, high-end architectural look, stainless steel or aluminium edging is the modern standard. It is incredibly thin, creates a razor-sharp line, and—most importantly—it won't crack, rot, or shift like brick. It can be installed in a fraction of the time and offers a permanent, rust-resistant border.

Finding the perfect fit

Laying bricks is a rewarding project that adds a timeless, rustic charm to your property. However, if your priority is a professional finish with minimal maintenance, a modular metal or plastic system may be the smarter investment for your landscape.

But if you’d prefer a quicker, low-maintenance option, Vodaland’s garden border edging products—whether plastic or metal—are excellent alternatives. These options are not only easier to install but also far more durable, saving you time and effort in the long run.

Whatever edging solution you choose, make sure it fits your garden’s needs and your personal style. After all, a well-defined garden edge is the finishing touch that brings the whole landscape together.