How Long Should Concrete Be Before Edging?

How Long Should Concrete Be Before Edging?

Concrete edging is an important part of any home or business construction project. You want to make sure the concrete is cured properly before you edge it.

This will prevent any water from infiltrating the joint between the concrete and the edge of the substrate.

Typically, concrete will cure within 20 to 30 minutes after being poured and troweled with a wooden float. However, there are a few factors that can affect the curing process.

For example, if the concrete is cold when it’s poured, it will take longer to cure. Additionally, if there is water on the surface of the concrete, it will take longer to dissipate.

So, make sure to allow the concrete to cure until the water on the surface dissipates. This will help ensure a proper joint between the concrete and the substrate.

How Do You Use Concrete Blocks As Edging?

Edging also gives a tidy, visually pleasing look. A popular option is concrete blocks, which come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.

It takes time to install concrete blocks as lawn edging, but the results may be well worth the effort.

• Run a hose down the lawn’s edge where the concrete blocks will be put. Form the appropriate pattern of blocks along the grass edge using the hose. Using grass marking paint, transfer the shape on the lawn. Take out the hose.
• Using a shovel, dig a trench along the outlined shape on the ground. Remove soil around the grass edge based on the desired height of the stone.
• Using scissors, cut landscape cloth to fit the width of the trench. Place the cloth in the trench to help prevent weed growth. Shovel sand into the trench and distribute it with a trowel to a depth of 3 inches.
• Place a concrete block against the trench’s lawn side. Using a construction level, level the block. Place the blocks end to end, checking the level as you go.

To fill any gaps and provide solidity to the blocks, sprinkle sand between the block ends and between the block and the grass edge.

• Fill up the gaps between the blocks with dirt from the trench. Tamp the earth firmly to help set the blocks in place and keep them from moving.

How Do You Install Concrete Border Edging?

Concrete edging adds a sturdy boundary to your garden space, but adequate preparation is essential for a superb finish.

The concrete edge material seems uneven and may slip out of position if a level trench is not dug to the right depth. The technique involves using a few simple tools and personal effort to bend, dig, and level the area.

The extra effort put in to lay a firm foundation for the landscaping edging pays off in the long run with increased curb appeal and longevity.

• Use the concrete edging route as a guide for excavating. As a marker, lay a garden hose on the ground or set wooden posts at the corners and link them with strings.
• Determine the exact height of the concrete edging. Calculate how much of the edging you want to protrude above the soil line to determine how deep to dig the trench.
• Measure the distance between the front and back of the concrete edging. To establish the width of the trench, add 1 inch to this measurement.
• Using a square spade, cut a straight line in the grass at the front border of the trench. To create the form, work your way down the length of the trench. Cut the trench’s back edge based on the width measurement you got.
• Remove the grass and soil from the trench. Dig down to the predicted depth to account for the sand base and edging.

Smooth the edges with a garden trowel, so the trench sides and bottom are straight and level.

• Take repeated measurements of the trench width to ensure it is even. As needed, remove extra soil.
• Place a level in the trench’s bottom. Move the level down the length of the trench to confirm that it is level all the way. Excavate little quantities of soil as needed to level the soil.
• Compact the dirt in the trench using a hand tamper. Check the bottom with the level once again.