If you’ve been wanting to lay a brick soldier course garden bed edging, you are in for such a satisfying project! I still remember the first time I finished a brick edge around my flower beds – I stood back, wiped the dirt off my hands, and felt like I’d completely transformed my yard. It’s one of those upgrades that makes everything look more polished and put-together without a ton of expense. Lay a Brick Soldier Course Garden Bed Edging is a popular choice for gardeners.
The great thing about a brick soldier course is how clean and classic it looks. It keeps your mulch where it belongs, stops grass from creeping into your beds, and honestly just makes the whole garden look more intentional. Plus, bricks last forever, so you’re doing this once and enjoying it for years.
What You Need to Lay a Brick Soldier Course Garden Bed Edging
Before you get started, let’s talk supplies. You don’t need anything fancy, which is one of the reasons I love this project so much. Here’s what to gather before you dig in.
You’ll need standard clay or concrete bricks (I usually grab standard modular bricks, which are about 4 x 8 inches), a rubber mallet, a level, a garden spade or flat edging shovel, a tape measure, and some sand. The sand is key because it gives you a stable, adjustable base to set your bricks into.
For a typical garden bed, plan on roughly one brick per linear foot when standing them upright in soldier style. I always buy about 10% extra just in case some break or I miscalculate. It’s way better to have a few leftovers than to run out mid-project.
If you want to learn more about choosing the right brick type for outdoor use, the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension has great resources on landscape materials that hold up in our Florida heat and humidity.
How to Lay a Brick Soldier Course Garden Bed Edging Step by Step
Related article: Raised Bed Gardening Basics
Okay, here’s where the fun begins! Start by marking out your bed shape with a garden hose or spray paint. This lets you see the outline before you commit to digging anything. I like to walk around it a few times to make sure the curves and lines look right from different angles.
Next, dig a trench along your marked line. You want it about 4 to 6 inches deep and just wide enough for one brick standing upright. In Florida, our sandy soil makes this part pretty easy, which I’m always grateful for. Loosen the bottom of the trench and tamp it down so it’s firm and even.
Pour about 1 to 2 inches of sand into the trench and smooth it out. This is your leveling layer, and it’s honestly the most important step. Set each brick in vertically (that’s the “soldier” part – they stand at attention like little soldiers!), tapping them gently with your rubber mallet to seat them firmly.
Use your level every few bricks to make sure things are staying even. You can add or remove sand to adjust the height as you go. Once all your bricks are in, backfill both sides with soil and pack it down snugly around the base.
Tips for a Perfect Brick Soldier Course Garden Bed Edging in Florida
Living in Florida means dealing with some unique challenges when it comes to any outdoor project. Our freeze-thaw cycles are minimal compared to northern states, which is actually great news for brick edging! Bricks up north can shift and crack over winter, but here in zones 9-11, that’s rarely a problem.
What we do deal with is heavy rain. Florida downpours can wash sand out from under your bricks over time. I recommend tamping your sand base really well before setting bricks, and checking your edging after big storms to see if anything has shifted.
Weeds can also sneak up under and around your bricks. I lay a strip of landscape fabric in the trench under the sand layer to help with this. It’s not foolproof, but it cuts down on the weeding significantly. You can find good options at any local garden center or hardware store.
One more Florida tip: our fire ants love to nest in sandy soil. If you notice ant activity near your new edging, treat the area promptly. I’ve had whole sections of bricks get undermined by fire ant tunnels, which is as frustrating as it sounds!
Keeping Your Brick Edging Looking Great for Years
Once your edging is in, maintenance is pretty minimal, which is exactly what we all want. Every spring, I walk the perimeter of my garden beds and check for any bricks that have shifted or tilted. Usually it’s just one or two, and resetting them takes about five minutes with a mallet and a little extra sand.
Moss and algae can grow on bricks in shady, humid spots, which is basically every Florida garden in summer! I actually think a little moss looks charming, but if you prefer clean bricks, a quick scrub with a stiff brush and some water does the trick. For stubborn stains, a diluted white vinegar solution works really well without harsh chemicals near your plants.
You can also check out Better Homes and Gardens’ guide to brick edging for more design inspiration if you want to try different patterns or styles beyond the classic soldier course.
Over time, you might want to add more beds or extend your edging. The nice thing about bricks is that you can always buy more and continue the pattern seamlessly. I’ve added to my original edging three times now, and it all still looks cohesive and neat.
There’s something really rewarding about a garden that has clear, defined edges. It makes even a simple planting look intentional and cared for. If you’ve been putting this project off, I really hope this gives you the push to get started this weekend.
When you lay a brick soldier course garden bed edging around your flower beds or veggie garden, you’re creating something that will look great for years with very little upkeep. Grab your shovel, pick up some bricks, and go for it – I promise you’ll love the results!
