What Kind of Nails to Use for Landscape Timbers?

Galvanized Nail Spikes

• Long galvanized nails are coated to resist corrosion so they won't rust. They're a good choice for attaching lengths of timber end-to-end if you're edging a garden or pavement. Drill pilot holes at the ends, and drive the nail spikes through the timber with a hammer. Use four nails on each attachment to secure them together.

Galvanized Screws

• Similar to nails, galvanized screws can attach timbers in rows directly or with brackets. If you decide to change the arrangement in the future, screws are easier to remove than nails. Use a basic power drill to drive them into the timber. These threaded screws are pointed so they don't require pilot holes. If you don't want the brackets or screws to show, attach the brackets on the side that will be the bottom, and partially recess the timbers in the ground.

Rebar

• Rebar is thick steel bar often used to reinforce thick slabs of concrete. It works well to fasten timbers to the ground or secure multiple timbers stacked together as a retaining wall or a raised garden. Holes must be predrilled at an angle through the single timber or stack of timbers; then pound the rebar through with a hammer. The length of the rebar should extend through the timbers plus 12 inches in the ground to hold the timbers securely.

Pipe

• Steel pipes are strong and can be cut to fit with a pipe cutter. Use them for a low retaining wall or to anchor single lengths of timber to the ground. Predrill the holes at a 45-degree angle so the timber can't back off of the pipes. Pound the pipes through holes with a hammer, and cover the open end of the pipe with a cap or fill it with sand to prevent debris and water from collecting inside.