How to Edge With Landscape Timbers
Landscaping timbers are an inexpensive way to enhance your landscaping and garden design. They provide an excellent method for edging a flower bed, walkway or other section of your garden, and, if treated properly, landscaping timbers will last for many years. Landscaping timbers can be purchased from most gardening centers, lumber suppliers and some hardware stores.
Installing landscaping timbers to edge your garden is a time-consuming project, but the end result will serve your landscaping needs for years to come.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Landscaping timbers
- Saw
- Shovel
- Gravel
- Level
- Drill
- 3/8-inch drill bit
- 12-inch spikes
- Sledgehammer
- Gardening gloves
- Safety glasses
Instructions
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1
Measure the length of the garden or flower bed you want to edge and purchase enough landscaping timber to line your measurement twice. Use pressure-treated and weather-resistant landscaping timbers.
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2
Cut the timbers down to a size that will fit your measurements evenly. Wear gloves and protective eye gear when working with landscaping timbers and landscaping equipment.
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3
Dig a four- to six-inch deep trench along the garden or flower bed you want to edge. The trench should be two to three inches wider than your timbers.
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4
Lay gravel along the bottom of your trench to create a foundation.
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Place the first layer of timber on top of the gravel. Use the level to ensure that the timbers are even and flat. Use a saw to level them off if they are not.
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Place the second layer of timber on top of the first. Lay the second layer of timbers so that the joints are offset by five to six inches from the joints of the bottom timbers.
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Use the level and saw, if necessary, to ensure that the top layer of timbers is level.
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Drill holes with the 3/8-inch drill bit through both layers of timbers. The holes should be slightly smaller than the diameter of your 12-inch stakes. Drill one hole at each end and every four to five feet along the timbers.
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Pound in the 12-inch stakes with a sledgehammer. Make the heads of the stakes as level with the surface of the timbers as you can.
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10
Fill in the space around the timbers with soil or more gravel.
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