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Correct sand for brick edging?

6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

What is the proper sand and depth to put under these? I used natural play sand (Beach sand- Course,not fine) at a depth of 2-3". If the use of this sand is appropriate, is that to thick of a layer? I could always remove it and put soil to get the height up. Everything I read just said to use sand so that's what I did. House is in southern Wisconsin.


Any help would be appreciated.


Comments (14)

  • 6 years ago

    Hi Brad, do you know how to use google. If so, google how to lay brick edging.


    if you do not know how to use google, no you used the wrong sand, and may have not prepared the base with gravel.

  • 6 years ago

    I wonder, if this topic will show up in one of my home improvement magazines.


    I often see same questions in my print magazines on the internet. I will begin the receive magazines early next week.


    Brad, who are you?

  • 6 years ago

    Brad - don’t worry, what you did is fine. You could even have sunk the bricks in plain soil! Don’t overthink a single brick edging. You will stamp on any that heave, pull the wayward weed. I give you a A for job accomplished.

    User thanked kitasei
  • 6 years ago

    Agree with Kitasei. The 'correct' sand is the one that has been sitting in your garage for years, that you are trying to get rid of.

    My edging was done with play sand because my DD had outgrown the sandbox, and the stuff had to go somewhere. That was more than 15 years ago, and the edging hasn't done anything bad yet. Even if it did, it isn't the end of the world to relay it.

    User thanked mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
  • 6 years ago

    Looks fine to me. You made a nice curve around the corner. (I'd pull those hostas out away from the house though. Can they get rainwater up tight against the house like that?)

    User thanked littlebug zone 5 Missouri
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Littlebug- This is my first home and my first go at this. :) They were mature transplants last year that'll likely get divided next year so moving them down a bit will likely happen at that time. There is also a mature maple 13'~ from the bed so roots have been an issue with both plant and edging options. The mulch does a good job of keeping the water in even when the canopy is full. I'll attach a photo of last year in their fullness.


  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Mad Gallica- Haha, you are so right. Glad to hear that your edging has held up over the years. Gives me hope.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    The main purpose of sand is to make adjusting the brick easy. I agree, it's fine. For future beds, try a flush brick mowing strip. (Also, set on sand.)


    User thanked Yardvaark
  • 6 years ago

    Maybe if I had long stretches but not on this house. Despite what the picture shows, it's pretty flush as it is imho. I still have to allow for future lawn work as well. Thank you for the suggestion though. :)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    The bricks look good. this kind of thing can be very forgiving. if it was a patio or walkway, then you need to be worried (for flatness and stability). but this is just decorative, and can be adjusted. don't worry about the rude comment, it happens all the time here unfortunately. ignore it!

    User thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    I think it looks great. I just made a border with belgian block just in the dirt. If it heaves next year, I will fix it. If it was 50 feet of block, I might have regrets, but, like yours, it was a pretty short span.

  • 6 years ago

    There was an article in the May/Jun edition of Homexzyzx, almost verbatim.

    Same text.

  • 2 years ago

    I used sand and after 10 years, they were so unlevel. The sand will erode away. Use crushed stone first, then sand just for leveling purposes. The crush stone will never erode. I pulled up all my bricks and stones that had just sand and redid them with crushed stone base.