Capitol Hill Garden Bed Borders & Edging Services

Nothing enhances a yard’s charm like crisp, clean edges! Without proper borders, mulch can spill into your lawn, grass may invade your garden beds, and your landscape can quickly appear unkempt. That’s why we specialize in building clean, durable borders designed to withstand Capitol Hill’s unique challenges—whether it’s rain, slopes, tree roots, or those tricky tight access areas.

What’s the Problem?

• Mulch spills into your lawn after heavy rains.
• Grass invasion—those relentless rhizomes are tough to manage!
• Wobbling plastic edging that fails to hold its shape.
• Washing out edges on slopes, or damage from string trimmers.

What We Build (Durable Materials That Last)

• Steel/Aluminum Edging — Our 3/16” steel or heavy-gauge aluminum stays put and won’t wobble, perfect for Capitol Hill’s varied terrain.
• Paver Soldier Course — A classic, mower-friendly look using brick or concrete pavers set on a compacted base.
• Natural Stone Border — Robust basalt or fieldstone offers a weighty, natural edge that complements your landscape.
• Concrete Mow Strip — A cast-in-place 4–6” wide strip provides a clean line—great for aggressive grass areas.
• Timber Edging (ground-contact rated) — Adds warmth with concealed anchors, ensuring proper drainage to prevent floating.
• Cut Bed Edge (no material) — A deep spade cut for a defined shelf; this cost-effective option requires seasonal re-cutting.

We avoid flimsy roll plastic edging—trust us, it just doesn’t hold up! If you want straight edges, we build them straight.

How We Build (No Shortcuts Here!)

1. Layout — We begin by mapping out smooth curves and straight lines using paint and string.
2. Excavate & Base — We carefully remove sod and organic material, then lay down a crushed rock base compacted in layers.
3. Set & Pin — Edging is secured with stakes through flanges at tight intervals. For pavers, we establish a screeded sand bed and proper edge restraint.
4. Drainage & Slopes — We cut weep holes and use jute/staples on steep banks to keep mulch in place.
5. Backfill & Finish — Final grades are set; we pull back 2–3” of mulch from stems and siding for tidy transitions.
6. Protection — We install trimmer guards where the lawn meets soft bark to protect against string damage.

Quick Specs We Aim For

• Reveal height: Approximately ½–1” above grade (keeping mulch in while allowing mowers to clear).
• Base depth: 2–4” of crushed rock beneath paver/stone/concrete edges.
• Stake spacing (metal): 24” for straight runs; tighter (12–18”) on curves and slopes.
• Paver bed: Sand to ASTM C33; compacted sub-base; polymeric joint sand if exposed to traffic.
• Slope: Edges pitched slightly into beds to prevent fines from washing onto pathways.

Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Your Yard’s Best Friend)

• Edge integrity checks — We’ll re-pin any loose sections and tap back any drift.
• String-line tune — We’ll re-cut natural bed edges for that crisp, shadow line.
• Mulch top-ups — Maintaining a consistent 2–3” depth prevents weeds from getting sunlight.
• Weed control — We prioritize Integrated Pest Management (IPM) along borders, pulling weeds and applying pre-emergent as needed.
• Mower/trimmer height — We’ll provide notes to help prevent edge scalping and bark damage.

We’re your low-maintenance landscaping team. Our goal? Fewer problems between visits and less work for you!

Service Cadences (Choose What Works for You)

• Quarterly — A spring/fall reset plus two tune-ups throughout the year.
• Bi-Monthly — A great balance for high-growth lawns and sloped beds.

(For fresh installs on slopes? Start monthly for 60–90 days, then taper off.)

What Annual Maintenance Includes

• Re-cutting natural edges and cleaning curves.
• Inspecting edge restraint and re-staking as necessary.
• Polymeric re-sanding for paver borders to maintain tidy joint lines.
• Mulch redistribution/top-up to ensure even depth.
• Photo updates so you can see those sharp lines in action!

Why Annual Maintenance Matters

• Cleaner lines = instant curb appeal.
• Less weeding — Well-maintained edges effectively block grass creep.
• Fewer washouts — Properly tuned slopes keep mulch where it belongs.
• Lower cost — Small edge touch-ups are more economical than full re-builds!

How It Works

1. Free Estimate — We’ll gather some photos or conduct a quick walkthrough, providing clear, upfront pricing.
2. Design & Material Selection — Choose from steel, stone, paver, timber, or concrete—whatever fits your style and site best.
3. Build Day — We’ll excavate, lay the base, set, pin, and finish—leaving no mess behind.
4. Follow-Up — You’ll receive care notes and a maintenance schedule tailored just for your property.

Why Capitol Hill Chooses Neat & Tidy

• A local crew that understands Capitol Hill’s clay pockets, winter rains, and tight alleys.
• Licensed & insured; we maintain tidy, respectful job sites.
• Upfront pricing — all materials, labor, hauling, and disposal included.
• On-time, clean finishes—no wavy lines, no wandering mulch!
• A green-first approach—durable installs, smart drainage, and minimal landfill waste.

Ready for edges that actually stay put?

Call or text Neat & Tidy for garden bed borders and lawn edging that hold a line—through winter rains and summer mowing. We’re here to keep it tidy—so you can relax and enjoy your beautiful Capitol Hill garden!