Landscaping Timbers Made Easy

Borders

• Adding timber borders to a flowerbed or pavement blocks encroachment and accentuates the shape of a garden feature. Timber borders work best for rectangular or angled gardens. To install the timbers, dig a path around the feature that equals the width of the timber. Lay down landscape fabric and a thin layer of gravel to improve drainage and block weeds from growing underneath. Predrill pilot holes on an angle near the ends of each length, and pound rebar through the holes. You can also bracket the lengths at each end, but it's not necessary if the ends are flush against each other and secure in the ground.

Raised Garden

• Building a raised garden involves stacking the timbers to the desired height of the garden and attaching the lengths with galvanized nail spikes or screws. Raised gardens are a good alternative in areas with poor drainage or clay soil. You should partially recess the bottom stack of timbers and secure them in the ground with rebar before attaching the top layers. Arrange the stacks in a 4-foot by 4-foot square so you can easily access the growth from each side. Line the interior with landscaping fabric, and fill the garden with topsoil and compost before planting.

Garden Step

• Building a timber step in a garden adds depth and a sense of space. The simplest way to build a timber step is to cut two equal lengths for the side of the step and one length for the front. Align the three pieces in the shape of a square "U," and screw them together with brackets. Drill pilot holes on the front and back sides of the U-shape. Dig out the bottom of the slope you're adding the step to. Once the frame is in position, pound rebar through the holes and fill the inside with compacted gravel.

Walkway

• Timber paths have a casual, clean look that complements many different types of landscapes. The easiest way to approach installation is to excavate the site and line the inside borders with timbers. This bottom layer acts as a runner to keep the surface timbers secure. Drive 12-inch lengths of rebar through the runners at an angle so they can't back out. Fill the remaining expanse with a gravel base and compact it. Lay the timbers across the walkway perpendicular to the runners. Use two galvanized nails on both ends of each board to secure them to the runners.