How to Lay Brick for a Garden Island Border

Free-form Style Island Bed

1). Measure the perimeter of your existing bed. Keep in mind the size of the bricks as you calculate the amount of bricks you will need. Lay a garden hose on the lawn to reconfigure the shape if you wish to make changes. Move the hose around until the shape is pleasing.
2). Spray paint the grass adjacent to the hose or use the powdered lime to mark the shape. Remove the hose.
3). Dig a trench along the marked line to the width and depth of brick plus 2 inches. Strive for a sharp perpendicular "wall" to the trench, especially on the lawn side. Remove the sod. Level the soil in the trench.
4). Fill the trench with 2 inches of sand or crushed rock. Rake it smooth. Tamp with the 2 by 4 until the trench is level. If you are using landscape fabric as a weed barrier, place it in the trench at this time. Cover the bottom and sides of the trench. You can trim the extra fabric away later.
5). Place the bricks in the trench. They should lay slightly higher than the surrounding soil as they will settle in time. Tamp the bricks to nestle them into the sand/crushed rock. Continue in this fashion until your circle is complete. Any adjustments in size can be made with the last few bricks.
6). Sweep sand into the gaps in bricks. Free-form style beds will have gaps between the bricks, particularly at the curves. If you used landscape fabric, trim away any excess with a sharp utility knife.
7). Rake soil toward the bricks on the garden side. Now you are ready to plant and mulch.

1). Measure the perimeter of your existing bed. Remember to consider the size of the bricks when you calculate the amount of them you will need.
2). Pound the stakes into the corners of your rectangle and along the sides every 6 feet. Wrap the string around the base of the stakes, stretching it between them all. Mark the string line with spray paint or powdered lime.
3). Follow Steps 3 through 7 in Section 1 above (Free-Form Style) to complete your project.