Edging Ideas
By: Nexstar Staff
Updated: February 3, 2012
Tools Needed:
- Hammer and mallet
- Level
- Drill
- Safety glasses
- Saw and appropriate safety protection
- Spade
- Measuring tape
- Post hole digger
Materials Needed:
- Treated landscape timbers
- String
- 2 stakes
- 6" pole barn nails
- Block of wood
Steps For Building Vertical Edging
1) Put a stake at each end of the area where you want to put the
Edging and tie a string between them to form a straight edge. If you plan on having the edging form a curve towards the end of the area, place the stake for that end at the point where you want the curve to start. If the entire bed is curved, outline it with a garden hose.
2) Dig a trench along the length of the string or hose and 3" to 4" deep.
3) Cut the landscape timbers to the desired length.
5) At the center of the trench, dig a hole to place the center post. This post will act as the "cornerstone" for the entire edging.
6) Place the center post in the hole. In order for the edging to be able to be curved, the round ends should face in the direction that the edging will run. Ensure that it is perfectly "plumb"
(vertically level) on both the front and the sides.
7) Once the post is level, place the loose soil in the hole around the post and tap it firmly in place with the mallet. Every fifth or sixth post of the edging is placed deep in the ground in this manner to give the edging stability. All other timbers will simply be placed firmly in the trench.
8) Drill a pilot hole into the next timber to be placed.
9) Drive a nail into the pilot hole until it just starts to emerge from the other side.
10) Place the timber with the nail in it up in the trench, up against the timber that is already in place. Be sure that you place them round end to round end.
11) In order to ensure that you have the same "rise and fall" to the posts, place the wooden block on top of the piece you are about to hammer into place. Line up the top of the block with the top of the previous post to set the "fall." To get the proper "rise," place the block on top of the timber that is already in place and line up the top of the timber you are about to place with this block.
12) Drive the nail the rest of the way through the timbers. Place a mallet at the opposite end of the edging to absorb the shock of the hammer and to keep the timbers from moving around.
13) Repeat steps 8 through 11 until all the timbers are in place.
- Hammer and mallet
- Level
- Drill
- Safety glasses
- Saw and appropriate safety protection
- Spade
- Measuring tape
- Post hole digger
Materials Needed:
- Treated landscape timbers
- String
- 2 stakes
- 6" pole barn nails
- Block of wood
Steps For Building Vertical Edging
1) Put a stake at each end of the area where you want to put the
Edging and tie a string between them to form a straight edge. If you plan on having the edging form a curve towards the end of the area, place the stake for that end at the point where you want the curve to start. If the entire bed is curved, outline it with a garden hose.
2) Dig a trench along the length of the string or hose and 3" to 4" deep.
3) Cut the landscape timbers to the desired length.
5) At the center of the trench, dig a hole to place the center post. This post will act as the "cornerstone" for the entire edging.
6) Place the center post in the hole. In order for the edging to be able to be curved, the round ends should face in the direction that the edging will run. Ensure that it is perfectly "plumb"
(vertically level) on both the front and the sides.
7) Once the post is level, place the loose soil in the hole around the post and tap it firmly in place with the mallet. Every fifth or sixth post of the edging is placed deep in the ground in this manner to give the edging stability. All other timbers will simply be placed firmly in the trench.
8) Drill a pilot hole into the next timber to be placed.
9) Drive a nail into the pilot hole until it just starts to emerge from the other side.
10) Place the timber with the nail in it up in the trench, up against the timber that is already in place. Be sure that you place them round end to round end.
11) In order to ensure that you have the same "rise and fall" to the posts, place the wooden block on top of the piece you are about to hammer into place. Line up the top of the block with the top of the previous post to set the "fall." To get the proper "rise," place the block on top of the timber that is already in place and line up the top of the timber you are about to place with this block.
12) Drive the nail the rest of the way through the timbers. Place a mallet at the opposite end of the edging to absorb the shock of the hammer and to keep the timbers from moving around.
13) Repeat steps 8 through 11 until all the timbers are in place.
