Saturday, June 15, 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.

There are two basic types. A wood fiberboard is popular because it is made from natural materials and is often colored to blend in. The problem is that in time it will decay and become part of the dirt. The plastic type will survive the years and is still environmentally sound because it is made from recycled material that would have polluted the landfill. Using this one will last for years and won't need to be replaced due to decay.

Start by measuring how much you are going to need. An easy way to do this is to put a stake in the ground at each major twist and turn. Put a string on one stake and then attach it along the way. Finally, measure how much string you used, add a few inches just in case, and that should provide you with enough material to do the job.

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.

The third step is to place stakes along the path. These should be inside the trench and placed so the border material will be on the turf side. If you have a break in the material, place two stakes near each other to help hold the two ends together. This will prevent them from separating and causing a gap.

Place the material in the ground. The easiest way to do this is simply to roll it out along the trench and then push it into the hole. Head back to the start and begin securing it to the stakes along the path. Make sure any areas that stick above the level surface are pushed down or dig out a little bit of dirt to help it sit lower. As you approach the end, you may find you have a bit too much material. You can easily cut this off with a box cutter or hack saw and place it snug in the end.

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.

Now that the process is complete, you can continue with the rest of your landscaping project. This gives you a nice separation from the turf and allows you to develop great looking flowerbeds or other types of formations. The weeds and grass will not be able to grow in the border, giving you a well-manicured look.




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