The Brew Cabin

how do I construct a cobble edging between a lawn and a flower bed- can it be constructed the same way as a brick edging?

Do you really mean "cobbles" or do you actually mean "setts"?

The principles are more or less the same as those shown for constructing any other concrete-bedded edging, although it takes a little longer because of the variable sizes of the cobbles (or is it setts?)

Have a read of the Laying Edgings page.

I did mean `Cobbles` not setts- Ive read the edgings page- but was wondering how to construct it as you would have to push the cobbles into the mortar- it would be slightly different from a brick edging, for example. Do you see what I mean? Any further help would be appreciated !

The size of yer cobbles makes a big difference, of course, but, the best way ids to put down a concrete bed, as you would for any other concrete-bedded edging, and then top it off with 25-50mm of a decent Class II mortar, with added colour, if that's what you like. Press the cobbles into the mortar and smooth it off around the cobbles so that they are held firmly in place.

It takes a bit of practice to get the cobbles to sit evenly on the mortar bed, so that they are all at the same level and not all higgledy-piggledy, and you need to select the cobbles carefully to get a reasonably sweet line, so try not to put out too much bedding and mortar in advance of yourself until you feel more confident.

Try to make sure the cobbles are the most prominent feature of the edging, and not the mortar. Keep joints as tioght as possible, and in-fill any smaller gaps with small cobbles or pebbles rather than dollops of mortar. Every metre or so, stand back and assess your work for level and alignment before moving on to the next metre. If you get any mortar on the surface of the cobbles, wipe it off asap with a damp sponge, which is also a handy tool for smooting off the mortar surround.

What's going either side of the cobbles?

Theres going to be a flower bed to one side and a lawn on the other- and I was thinking of Scottish beach cobbles, which I suppose are the size of a spud- depending on how big your spuds are!

Enquiring as to the size of a gentleman's spuds is awfully forward of you, Michelle! I hardly know you! ;)

Although I've no problem with the construction, how will you get on when it comes to mowing the lawn? You'll not be able to get a mower near the cobble edge, so you'll have to use a strimmer or similar. Sounds like a lot of work.

Sorry about the spuds.
Im determined to have the edging, so can I edge the side next to the lawn with timber board then- or can you think of alternative solutions to my problem which will not cause lots of extra work on the lawn side?Or am I doomed not to have my lovely `spud edge?`

Worrabout using a relatively flat strip of summat on the lawn side, to act as a mowing strip? You could use, for instance, a single course of granite setts, approx 125mm wide, or a 150mm wide strip of flagstone paving. This would allow you to run the mower right over the 'mowing strip' on the lawn side but keep the Spud-U-Like edging on the flower bed side.

Dear Tone ( I know you better now)
What a good idea. Thanks so much for your time and advice and I will continue to read your pages avidly- I reckon this must be one of the best sites on the net.
Bless You xx