DIY Landscape Tie Angles

Measure the length of each side of your planting area. This will be the outside length of the landscape ties after you cut them.

Place a landscape tie in a miter box with the right end against the slot for a 45-degree angle if you want a square outline and a 22 1/2-degree angle if you want an octagonal outline. Cut along the angle indicated on the miter box, with the angle going up and toward the left.

Remove the tie from the miter box. Measure from the outside point on the right to the distance you measured for the planting area. Make a mark on the tie to indicate this spot.

Place the tie back in the miter box in the same manner as before. Slide it toward the right until the pencil mark is directly above the bottom slot for your chosen angle. Cut up and toward the right to make another angled cut on the tie in the opposite direction. The first piece of wood now has one longer edge and one shorter edge, with ends angling upward and toward the middle.

Flip over the other half of the wood tie so that the right edge angles up and toward the left. Measure the same length along the bottom edge and make another angled cut up and toward the right. Cut two more pieces of tie in the same manner. Each tie will have one longer edge and one shorter edge.

Cut four more pieces in the same manner if you are making an octagonal outline for your flower bed or specimen tree. Keep the angles the same throughout the pieces of wood.

Lay the ties on the ground to outline the bed or tree. Place them so the longer edges are on the outside and the shorter ones face the plants inside. Push the corners together. The angles will match to make a neat corner. Hammer a nail at one corner to nail together two ties. Do the same for the rest of the ties in the pattern to create a finished wooden outline for your planting bed.