How to Use Lumber for Edging

Using lumber for edging forms an attractive barrier in the lawn that separates the flowerbed from the surrounding grass. Although available in a variety of materials including metal, plastic, stone and concrete, wood edging adds a rustic charm and blends with the landscape instead of standing out. Lumber edging serves as a durable and lasting option that withstands natural elements without decay. Use pressure-treated, rot-resistant lumber that does not crack with the natural freeze-thaw cycle and resists pest infestations.

Things You'll Need

• Powdered chalk
• Shovel
• 2-by-4-inch lumber
• Circular saw
• 2-by-2-inch stakes
• Hammer
• 2-inch screws
• Sledgehammer

Instructions

1. Demarcate the ground where you want to install the lumber edging. Because lumber does not bend or curve, use it to create straight edges around a square, rectangular or angular bed. Spread powdered chalk on the ground to mark where the edging will go.

2. Excavate the ground along the chalk mark to create a trench into which you will install the edging. Keep the trench 1/2 inch shorter than the length of the lumber, so its top protrudes from the ground and creates a visible barrier. Also, dig the trench 1/2 inch wider than the 2-by-4-inch edging lumber. Tamp the base of the trench to firm the soil and provide a stable footing for the lumber edging.

3. Lay a length of lumber edging horizontally into the trench to determine its height, and adjust by adding or removing soil, if necessary.

4. Lay the lumber next to the trench, and trim excess length if required. Position a 2-by-2-inch wood stake over a corner of a length of edging lumber, 1 inch below its top. Insert a 2-inch galvanized screw into the stake to secure it to the lumber below. Repeat the process of securing a stake every 4 to 5 feet along each length of edging lumber.

5. Lower the lumber in the trench, with the wooden stakes along the outer edge of the garden bed. Gently pound the stakes into the ground with a sledgehammer. The stakes penetrate the soil below to anchor the board securely in place. Lower another length of lumber into the trench directly next to the end of the previous one and repeat the process of securing it into place.

6. Pack dirt into the gap between the trench and edging. Tamp the dirt with the back of a shovel so it sets in place and secures the lumber edging.

Tips & Warnings

• 40-pressure treated lumber withstands rot and outdoor conditions, making it suitable for ground contact.

References

• The Home Depot: Installing Wood Edging
• Blades Lawn Care: How to Install Landscape Edging