Creating a Hazel border edge

Creating a charming and functional edge for your flower borders can be both a fulfilling DIY project and a wonderful way to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden. Using woven hazel sticks, which you can cut from a hazel plant, is a sustainable and rustic option that provides a natural look. Here’s a short guide on how to create a woven hazel stick border for your flower beds:

Materials Needed:

• Freshly cut hazel sticks, approximately 25 to 35mm in diameter for the stakes
• Thinner hazel whips for weaving
• Pruning shears or a small saw
• Mallet or hammer
• Garden gloves

Instructions:

• Collect Hazel Sticks: Begin by harvesting hazel sticks from your hazel plant in late winter or early spring. This is when the sap is down, and the wood is less likely to split when bent.
• Prepare the Stakes: Cut the thicker sticks to a uniform length, generally about 30 cm  long for the stakes depending on how tall you want your border to be and 1 to 1.5 metres long for the woven sections,. Sharpen one end of these sticks to a point to make them easier to drive into the ground.
• Mark Your Border: Outline the shape of your flower border with a hose or string to ensure a smooth, even edge.
• Insert the Stakes: Place the pointed end of your stakes at regular intervals along the border line, about 30cm apart. Hammer them into the ground so that they are firm and roughly the same height.
• Begin Weaving: Start weaving the thinner hazel whips horizontally. Begin at the bottom and work your way up, making sure each whip goes alternatively in front of and behind the vertical stakes. Pull each whip tight to ensure the weave is snug and sturdy.
• Secure the Ends: When you reach the end of a whip, tuck the end into the weave. If you need to add a new whip, overlap the ends with the previous one and weave as usual to hold it in place.
• Build Up the Weave: Continue adding layers until you reach the desired height. For additional stability, you can ‘twist’ two weavers together as you weave them in and out of the stakes, which also creates an attractive, patterned effect.
• Finish the Edge: Once at the top, you may choose to create a decorative edge by bending over the top of the vertical stakes and weaving them down into the border, or simply trim them to create a neat finish.

Maintenance:

• Check the border periodically for any loose sticks or stakes and reinforce as necessary.
• As the hazel weathers to a silver-grey, it will blend even more beautifully with your garden setting.
• Expect a well-constructed hazel edge to last several years before needing replacement.

Not only is a woven hazel edge functional in keeping your flower bed neatly contained, but it also offers an attractive, eco-friendly alternative to store-bought plastic or metal edging. Plus, the satisfaction of crafting something with your own hands for your garden is unparalleled.