In gardening I use the term to describe the amount of room before water overflows on to walks or other areas.

Almost always I see the soil level at or even above the level of mowing strips, patios or sidewalks. Why? Who knows!

I do know it makes watering harder, mulching harder and keeping patios and walkways clean harder. In my experience you need at least 2" and preferably more "free board". This gives you enough room to water and mulch successfully. Often the Garden Crew has to try to put in some free board in to planters. It's hard when there are established plants you have to work around. Often the best we can do is to taper the soil so there is some free board at the edge but the center of the bed is still too high.

In my Garden I am starting over in all my beds so I am starting by removing the excess soil. This is also lowering the soil next to the house. With so many houses built on a slab this is more critical than it used to be.

If you are redoing beds be sure to make enough free board. If you are having problems with dirt washing onto walks and patios tapering the soil can help. This involves removing the soil next to the walk and gradually tapering it back and ut to the existing soil level. Tapering is not as good as having enough room but often it is the best you can do with established plantings.

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