Soil level in border above lawn.... What to do!

Evening folks,

Having cleared a border completely ready for planting I cannot decide what to do about the soil level. At the moment it is quite a bit higher than the level of the lawn. Should I remove some to bring the level to that of the lawn? If so is it ok to take the top away? *Awaits the dreaded advice that I really need to remove the clay below the topsoil*

Also I have lost the edge with the grass too. Is it ok to dig a small trench and reseed the grass side as it is quite patchy or others a better way?

Huge thanks for any help.
Sam

 

Can you not edge off the border with some thing like those rolls of half logs?

 

I have toyed with the idea but I'm not a huge fan of log roll and my DIY skills aren't up to saying brick edging which I prefer. So I thought it would be easier to define the edge by digging..... You tube made it look so easy!!

 

How high is high Sam?....would reclaimed railway sleepers be too much

 

I do like them and did think about it but again I think it's probably too much for me to tackle on my own and involving the other half definitely over complicates things!

I suppose it's not massively high, level at the front going up to 3/4's of a foot higher at the back? Am undecided if it's ok to leave like this and plant, I thought levelling to beneath lawn would make mowing much easier and the edge would look better?

What's the norm??!

Thanks for all your thoughts, Sam

 

I'm having trouble visualising it Sam....any chance of a pic

 

Sam, if there's room further back on the bed for the soil, take the soil away from the edges to just below grass level and create a slope upwards.

If you create a barrier between the lawn and bed that raises another issue as you can't get the lawnmower right to the edge, you then have to strim round those barriers.

 

I have this exact same problem. I'm going to create a slope.

 

Thanks for all the advice. I got up in the morning preparing to take a pic and realised actually it isn't as extreme as I thought in my head! If I put the pic up you'll all be rolling your eyes in exasperation!! However I do need to do something and I think you're right, digging a slope sounds like the way to go.

Will a scattering of grass seed be enough to recover the bald grass edge do you think?

 

Being as it's the edge of the border Sam you would probably find a better option is to dig turf from another part of your garden, then dig out the damaged pieces and reshape the new piece of turf for the border. It will be easier to re-seed the area that you've taken the turf from. When you do that fill the space with some soil or compost and gently work in the seed. Don't forget to keep both areas watered until they have settled.

 

Thanks for the tip Sheal, I would never have thought to do that. Sounds drastic but I can see it would give a nice finish. Might give it a bash tomorrow if the weather stays nice.

 

That's a nifty idea Shiney, less bald patches to look at. Inaven't been brave enough odo it yet, got sidetracked trying to lay some paving slabs. Maybe tomorrow.....