Quick! What's one way you can add a bit of flair and a sense of order to your garden at the same time?

The answer is with garden edging. A distinctive garden edging creates a border between your garden and the rest of your yard or between your garden and a path or driveway. It also can be an easy way to infuse some style into your outdoor space. Now here is the best part about it. You donít have to use edging material from the garden center. You can make your own edging from a variety of recycled and repurposed materials and you can find edging materials in nature as well. Here are some ideas to get your imagination going:

Upside-down Bottles

One of my neighbors has created an artistic garden bed that is defined by blue wine bottles. This idea will work with bottles of any color, however. Simply clean and remove the labels from your choice of glass bottles. Then insert them upside-down into the dirt to define your edge. You can either use bottles of all the same design, shape and color or mix them up for contrast.

Pipes

Collect and repurpose steel pipes to create an artful border. You can use pipes all of one length or use ones of varying length for added interest. No worries if they are rusted. The color change adds to the look.

Cinder Blocks

Now you might think consider blocks will look too austere for your garden, but consider this: they do double-duty as planters. Line them up to firm the edge. Then fill them with soil and add succulents for a lovely contrast with your garden.

Concrete

The water department recently tore up the street in front of my house. The result? Some awkward driveway moments and some great pieces of roadway and concrete for my garden borders. You can break leftover concrete into the sizes you need with a sledgehammer and arrange them in a way that pleases you. Easy peasy.

Rocks

Here in Southern Oregon, we love our river rock. It looks great in beds and in borders. You can use rocks of all shapes and sizes for your edging. Get the kids involved in hunting for rocks. They love searching for just the right ones, and if you feel like it, you can paint some of them later for added personality.

Limbs and Logs

You can make an attractive and rustic garden edge with leftover fireplace logs or even with an artfully designed collection of fallen tree limbs. You may need to do little maintenance now and them to keep this type of edging looking like it belongs there, but the results are worth it.

Scrap Pieces of Wood

You can make a whimsical garden edge with reclaimed wood pieces. Place small sections in the dirt at different angles. It doesnít matter if they match. In fact, if some are painted in different colors and some are simply weathered, it adds to the appearance.

Shingles and Tiles

Similarly, you can repurpose old roof shingles or floor tiles to create an unusual and attractive garden edge. The different textures and shapes will add interest to your garden bed.

Shells

Are your kids shell collectors? Now you have a great place to put their treasures. Place the large ones on their sides to define your space and use smaller ones to fill in empty spots. Clam shells work well.

Brick

You can lay bricks end to end or at angles to create a lovely and artistic border. You can often have your pick of free bricks at sites where a home or building is being torn down.

Flower Pots

Re-repurpose your unused flower pots to create a unique edge. Simply turn empty pots upside down along the border of your garden. As with some of the other ideas, you can mix and match sizes and colors. Time to change the edging? You can re-use your pots for your plants.

Plates and Silverware

Do you have some unused plates or silverware collecting dust in your attic? Or do you enjoy looking for these items at yard sales? How about using them as a creative garden edge? Side- by-side plates can make a stylish garden border. Just place them on their sides next to each other with the patterned side outward. Another idea is to try sticking spoons of various sizes (handle end down) in a row to add a fun and distinctive look to your garden. As you can tell these ideas are inexpensive and easy to achieve. You can change them around according to the season, according to your mood and according to what is growing in your garden. Do you have an idea for a re-purposed item for your garden edge? Let us know.