Landscape timbers are multifunctional and you can use them to accomplish a variety of outdoor projects. Learning how to secure landscape timbers is essential so that your raised beds don’t move.
There are several uses of landscape timbers from giving your garden beds edges to building stairways. You can also use them for garden fences and to erect vertical gardens. When you consider how versatile these items are, it becomes imperative to learn how to secure landscape timbers.
In this post, we will show you how to keep landscape timbers from moving and how to install them on slopes. Grab a seat and let’s get to the crux of this post.
How do you keep landscape timbers from moving?
Installing landscape timbers isn’t as difficult as we consider it to be. When you install them properly, they help to keep your garden beds from sliding while making the garden attractive. You can also use them to protect your garden if it is on a slope. What matters is understanding how to keep the timbers from moving.
In this section, we will show you how to secure landscape timbers by installing them properly. Before we do that, here’s a list of the equipment and materials you will need for the process:
- 2-inch galvanized deck screws
- Drill and bits
- Galvanized corner braces
- Galvanized mending plates
- Garden hoe or steel rake
- Hand edger
- Hand sledge or hammer
- Landscape fabric and staples (optional)
- Landscape timbers
- Level or straight board
- Mason’s line or string
- Pencil
- Protractor
- Saw
- Shovel
- Stakes
- Tape measure
- #3 rebar spikes for landscape timbers (optional)
Check the steps below to learn how to install landscape timbers properly:
Step 1 – Define the border path
Fix a stake in place and tie an end of your mason’s line to it. Ensure that your stake is at one of the ends of your planting area. Drive another stake into the ground at the other edge and walk to it with the edge of the mason’s line in your hand. Make sure that you pull the string until it is taut then tie it to the second stake to make the borders properly.
Step 2 – Slice through the marked area
You should do this with a flat spade or hand edger. Begin at one of the stakes and keep slicing directly under the string to the other stake. You can always transplant the healthy turf to other parts of the garden. Meanwhile, get rid of the weeds from the area.
Step 3 – Level the ground and tamp it
Work on the ground beside the border path to make it ready for the timber. You should use a steel rake, garden hoe, or shovel for this operation. Dig out roots, rocks, and any other obstruction along the path. Pack down the loose soil by walking over it then add soil where necessary. Make sure that there are no lumps or bumps on the path.
Step 4 – Add landscape fabric
This step is optional but it helps to prevent the growth of weeds. If you have mulch or rocks on the path, then you shouldn’t ignore this step. Roll the fabric over the topsoil and make it even with the position of the mason’s line. You can secure the fabric in place using landscape fabric staples since you will install the timbers on it.
Step 5 – Install the landscape timbers
Lay the straight timbers out along the path’s full length. Check that they are of similar lengths. If some of them are longer, then you should cut off the excess timber. Position the timbers along the path accurately and join them using galvanized mending plates along with 2-inch deck screws. Use a drill that has a screwdriver bit fitted to drive the screws. Do this straight to the end on one side then check the lengths of the timber again. If you notice anyone longer than the others, cut it to size then run through the process on the other side.
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Step 6 – Construct corners
If you have corners, you need to cut other straight pieces to create 90-degree turns. Use galvanized corner braces and screws to join the timber at all the corners. Make sure that the braces are on the inside.
Step 7 – Make turns by cutting angles
Create angle cuts using a protractor. Doing this ensures that your turns are well-rounded instead of being plain 90 degrees. Put the protractor on the timber then align its baseline with the timber’s edge. Mark the edge at the center of the protractor then figure out the angle for a completed turn. Divide this angle by half before marking the timber at the resulting angle. After cutting the timber, fit the ends of each angle together then secure with screws.
Step 8 – Use rebar spikes to hold the timbers
This step is also optional but worth the trouble. You can use rebar spikes for landscape timbers to hold the timbers in the soil. Ensure that the metal doesn’t stick above the wood for safety purposes. Also, watch out for underground sprinkler lines so that you don’t damage them.
How do you anchor wood to the ground?
We have shown you how to secure landscape timbers by installing them properly. In this section, we will show you some materials that you can use to anchor wood to the ground. If you have been wanting to know how to install landscape timbers on a slope, these materials will help you out.
- Rebar spikes for landscape timbers.
- Landscape timber spikes for smaller timbers.
- Braces or brackets for extra support.
We have already described how you can use these materials above. Using them is optional but helpful to prevent the landscape timbers from moving.
How to Secure Landscape Timbers-Conclusion
Great job, you now know how to secure landscape timbers by installing them properly. We have also shown you the use of rebar spikes for landscape timbers and other materials to anchor timber in the soil. You can drop your questions in the comments section if you have any.
