Flagging/edging ideas please.

I'm having a flagging job done by a landscaping company but the job has stopped for a while due to the cold weather, so I have a bit of time to think about how best to go about it.

The mini digger took out the top layer of decorative stones and a fair bit of soil underneath and the plan is to now flag up to the path and then put vertical flags against the path to finish the two levels.



I would really like to put the old decorative edging tiles back but I can't think how this could be done. Any suggestions?

Or totally new suggestions that wouldn't use the old edging that would look effective?

 

Have you considered replacing the path while youre having the work done ?

With the position of the drain it looks like the level of the paving will be a lot lower than the path.

The decorative edges will finish the path off better than slabs

What about building a low wall to the level of the path

I'm great at spending other peoples money

 

That's something I hadn't considered. I'll have a think about that, but like you say, all expense. Good idea though. I'm not on a budget or anything. The important thing is getting it to look right as it's at the front of the house and will affect the kerb appeal.

 

Ten years ago, I edged our lawn and feature beds with a row of block paving bricks bedded into fine concrete mix on top of a bit of hardcore. Pointed up with sandstone coloured dyed mortar.
They are flush with the lawn so I can run my Flymo over them.









Still looking good and unobtrusive.

 

The blocks do look great, as does the rest of your garden, but I don't think they would work next to my path. I'm trying to just give a raised edging, like the old edging tiles that were there, before.

 

First thing to do is check that you've got enough of the old tiles to complete the job, and if not, can you source others?
Edgings are definitely best set into concrete or a mortar mix. Your landscapers could do that before they run the new slabs up to the existing path. They'd need to slope the concrete down to the slabs. The only potential problem I can see would be to match the colour of the concrete if there is a big difference in levels and if the new slabs are going to be the same colour as the path.

 

That is a concern. Not just the same colour as the path, the new flags will be making a continuation from some old flags, on the driveway.




Should I be looking at buying second hand flags?

 

I would consider pressure washing the old flags and footpath first to see what colour they were originally. This will help when matching new ones.

 

Agree with Sheal re. jet washing the slabs.

Taking on board your comments on kerb appeal, I'd seriously consider replacing the path and the concrete - bottom right of the second pic.

I say this as we have a concrete pad meeting paving slabs and tarmac and having three hard surfaces meeting doesn't look great. In time the drive will be replaced and the concrete slab will go, leaving the slabs and tarmac meeting which will hopefully look more cohesive.

You could then have large pots on the triangle area.

 

Would jeyes fluid do the same as jet wash?

 

As said above I would jet wash the path and flags with a proper jetwasher not a little electric job.

Fill the crack in the path get the landscaper to put the edging back when the new flags go down and fill any cracks. Jetwash it a quick jetwash every year to keep it smart. (small electric should work fine, eg Nilfisk)

I would keep the jeyes fluid in the can and maybe use it before the next gentle jetwash in the future once this jobs done.

 

Is the Karcher K4 what you would call a proper jet washer?

Pressure washer K 4 Full Control | Kärcher UK

I've never used one before so I have no idea what a good one or a crap one is.

 

That looks similar to mine. It will clean the slabs and path but will take forever. Our local facebook page has a chap who cleans driveways with a petrol engined pressure washer - probably worth looking for someone similar locally. Failing that, local hire shop.

 

I made my edging several years ago...around lawns, borders....by laying concrete. Brick width, following curves and of sufficient depth for durability and stability. Has mellowed well now and simply blends in.

 

I would get a petrol one. I have a petrol and electric. Petrol for strength,electric for mild work.
Nilfisk over karcher if going electric imho.A soap type pre treatment also helps