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Need free border ideas
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Posted by lynnmariep86 DFW (My Page) on Wed, Oct 28, 09 at 15:04
| Good afternoon, all!
Does anyone have any ideas for free border material like landscape timbers? I'm broke (like everyone else), so cheap isn't really cheap enough. I'd like to make new beds now for a bigger garden in the spring and I have time, energy, and access to free compost. Unfortunately, I have bermudagrass, so a border is a must!
Thanks in advance!
Lynn Marie |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Need free border ideas
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| I'm afraid it will take more than a "border" to keep bermuda grass out, Lynnmarie. Quite frankly, I do a better job when I can just run the edger or weed eater around areas where I don't want it and keep the runners pulled out. |
RE: Need free border ideas
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| Yes, but I also want the beds elevated a little. So I still need a border. Thanks! |
RE: Need free border ideas
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Lynnmarie,
If you have transport, and there is a construction site anywhere near you, you may be able to get free stones. They are not the ideal border material, but they are free, indestructible, and when laid correctly, very attractive. |
RE: Need free border ideas
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| Try freecycle. I did once and got some great rocks/small boulders. |
RE: Need free border ideas
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| what is freecycle? A website? sounds interesting, I have stuff I need and stuff I DON'T need. |
RE: Need free border ideas
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| Yeah, and don't forget craigslist. |
RE: Need free border ideas
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| ginny, just plug in your info at the link below and see if there are any groups near you. You have to sign up/into the group. I'm signed up with several groups (because I live in the middle of nowhere) and have not had any junk mail or weird stuff happen with my email, because of it. You can post about things you want or post about the things you want to get rid of. |
Here is a link that might be useful: freecycle
RE: Need free border ideas
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- Posted by bobbi_p z8/9 Cypress, TX (My Page) on
Thu, Oct 29, 09 at 11:40
| I've seen a few borders done with glass bottles stuck in the ground upside down. They look pretty when they're all the same. I can't speak to the durability against string trimmers over the long haul, and it wouldn't be very elevated, but it is football season and I'm sure some neighbors could help you locate some empties! Here are some links with pictures and construction guidance: http://vertaustin.blogspot.com/2008/08/you-can-stop-drinking-now.html
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/722038/
http://media.oregonlive.com/homesandgardens/photo/bottleedgingjpg-e87d1a19b928ffb5.jpg
http://aninspectorslog.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/bottles-in-the-garden/
http://www.upcycle.co.za/ideas/glass/bottles/bottles.html Other than that, freecycle and craigslist are both great sources. |
RE: Need free border ideas
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| Thanks, everyone. I think I'll just fork over the money for landscape timbers. Craigslist didn't have anything useable, Freecycle required I live in a certain neighborhood, and I don't really care for the recycled bottles look. I have big dreams and small funds! |
RE: Need free border ideas
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| For bordering under the ground, you might try either laying landscape timbers or old, ugly bricks to at least slow the bermuda down. I would dig down at least a foot and lay bricks, rocks, thick durable plastic, something like that to keep the bermuda out. Also, depending on where you're at an how much you need, I have a few spare landscape timbers cluttering up my side yard. We took out a flowerbed last spring that the previous owners had built up around an oak tree, which was killing the tree. I'm in Arlington. |
RE: Need free border ideas
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| Thanks, trsinc. I went to the site and looked up Tyler area. It seems to be a great site. I've been giving clothes and stuff to charities, but have not seen a place for other stuff. |
RE: Need free border ideas
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| Thanks for all the suggestions, and thanks for the offer, Mommyfox. I just bit the bullet and got what I needed from Lowes. Can you believe landscape timbers are now $4 each?!?! Good thing I only needed four for now! |
RE: Need free border ideas
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I have one walk edged with bottles, tried sticking them in the ground but they kept coming out so they are just laying there now. Bowling balls line a couple of paths. They were free or cheap, some from the trash piles, others resale shop for $1-3. Tree trunks/branches outline others, they are from trees we trimmed, ones that went down in Ike, etc. Bricks picked up on the Texas City Dike make one border. Coconuts from the beach line the front walk. We reuse everything!
Tally HO! |
RE: Need free border ideas
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| I know you've already purchased what you need for a border, but for anyone looking for ideas in the future, I have a friend in Calif. who also had no money so she and her hubby rescued a water bed frame or two that were being tossed and used the frame to make borders for a raised bed. I thought this was clever. I've seen photos of her raised veggie beds and I don't see "a water bed" in the garden so it blends right in. |
RE: Need free border ideas
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| Water bed frames are nice thick timbers, ours was made from 2X10 lumber. It would have made a great raised bed! I wish I had thought of that! Pam |
RE: Need free border ideas
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Me too! They used to be easy to find. I have several of the heaters which work great for plants. All scavenged from people throwing out old water beds.
I used the old rotting beam from the house for a bed when we replaced it, it's still mostly there 20 years later. It's cypress. Most wood doesn't last long here and it does attract termits and floats off in floods or hurricanes.. but then again the bowling balls floated around too!
Tally HO! |
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