7 Creative Ways to Edge Your Zinnia Flower Bed Using Natural Materials

6. Upcycled Terracotta Shards: The Broken Pot Method

Last spring, a crazy gust of wind knocked my absolutely favorite, perfectly aged clay planter right off the patio ledge.

I was so incredibly bummed staring at that sad pile of shattered orange clay all over the concrete.

But instead of throwing those pieces in the trash, I decided to experiment and use them as a makeshift flower bed border for my new seedlings.

It turned into this gorgeous, totally free terracotta edging that gave my yard an instant, sun-drenched Tuscan feel.

Giving Broken Pots a Second Life

Whenever a pot inevitably breaks, try to save any pieces that are at least the size of your palm.

You can take those curved shards and press them into the soil right along the edge of your zinnia garden, overlapping them slightly so no dirt escapes.

The beautiful thing about terracotta is that the porous clay actually absorbs excess water and slowly releases it back into the ground.

It is such a brilliant gardening tip because it literally helps regulate the soil moisture for your thirsty summer blooms!

Safely Installing Your Clay Edging

Now, you definitely need to be a little bit careful when you are working with broken pottery.

Those jagged edges can be surprisingly sharp, so always wear a thick pair of leather gloves when you are handling this DIY garden edging.

I always make sure to bury the sharpest, most uneven side of the shard deep down into the dirt, leaving the smooth, finished rim facing up.

It keeps your garden aesthetics looking incredibly tidy while making sure no one accidentally scrapes their ankle while walking by the flower bed.

Repurposing broken pots is brilliant, but what if you could actually grow your border from scratch? Go ahead and hit that next button below because I am about to show you how to plant a living, breathing edge that will have every pollinator in the neighborhood visiting your yard!