How Do You Install Wood Landscape Edging?

Installing wood landscape edging is a great way to separate your garden from other landscape areas. 

Using wood edging makes your landscape much more appealing than if you used metal or plastic edges. So, let us look at how to install wood edging around any landscape feature on your property.

Before installing a wood edging for landscaping on your property, you must first make the proper preparations. Below are things to consider before installing wood edging.

Decide on the Type of Wood To Use

You can use many different types of wood for landscape edging. Ensure you pick wood that will last longer under the ground since part of it must be buried. A good example is cedar landscape edging

Treat the Edging Wood 

Treating the timber used for edging will ensure it will last longer. The treatment will make the wood withstand the elements for longer.

Know the Measurements You Will Need 

This will help you buy the exact sizes of wood to be used rather than buying too much or too little. Also, it will make it easy when fitting the edging and joining it together.

Get the Proper Tools

Having the essential tools in hand will make the installation process go smoothly and quickly. The tools you will require include level, steel rake or garden hoe, string, drill and drill bit, shovel, hammer, tape measure, and hammer. 

The most important materials include wood, galvanized mending, corner brackets, and drill screws. Optional materials include rebar and landscape fabric.

Step by Step Instructions To Install Wood Landscape Edging

Follow the steps below when installing landscaping edging using wood.

1. Mark and clean the edging area
2. Dig the edging trench
3. Tamp down the dug area
4. Lay down the landscaping fabric
5. Install the wood edging
6. Reinforce the edging
7. Clean and fill in the edging

Step 1: Mark and Clean the Edging Area

Start by marking out the area your edging will go. You can do this by hammering in stakes along the edge of the site or marking the area out using spray paint. If you use stakes, tie a string from one stake to the next until all are connected.

Next, clean out the area below the stakes where you will dig the trench. In case there is turf, you should carefully cut the tuff to expose the area the canal should be.

Step 2: Dig a Trench for the Edging

Using a garden hoe, dig out the trench around the market area on the outside along the tie string. Depending on the width of the timber you will be using, you can leave an allowance of about -2 inches on either side.

For example, if you use a wooden landscape edging with a width of 3 inches, dig a trench at least 5 inches wide. The depth of the edging trench should be at least 2.5 inches.

Step 3: Tamp Down the Dug Area

Tamp down the loose soil on the surface inside the trench you dug. Although optional, it is advisable to add a thin layer of gravel; about an inch thick and tamp that also.

Tamping is meant to make the soil more compact and create a level ground for your wood edging to sit on.

You can use a spirit level while tamping to ensure the ground is even throughout the trench. Doing this will make it easy to install the edging and ensure it’s leveled out above the ground.

Step 4: Put in a Landscape Fabric

Using fabric is optional. However, it’s a great way to ensure the longevity of the wood you use for your wooden garden edging and prevent any weed growth.

Ensure the fabric covers the inside of the trench and cut any bits hanging above the surface.

Step 5: Install the Edging

Start placing the timber inside the trenches. Take the measurements and cut it if you use lumber that is not cut to size. While cutting, ensure that the ends are square (in case you want to join another piece at the end).

Remember, there are a variety of simple wood joints you can use to make the edging stronger other than a straight joint.

If a single piece of timber is not enough to protrude to the surface, you can place another on top of the first layer or as many as you want to get the desired height. It is best for your edging to be higher than 2 inches above the ground.

Step 6: Reinforce the Edging

To reinforce the edging, you can drill holes in the lumber placed in the trench. Start drilling from the top piece and continue until you get through the last one. 

Repeat this when drilling other holes. An easier way of doing this is pre-drilling the holes (ensure they will align after laying down the wood).

Once your holes are ready, insert rebar from top to bottom. Hammer in the rebar until it gets through the fabric and into the ground underneath it. Repeat this with the other holes you drilled.

Cut any rebar above the uppermost layer of timber (you can cut it flush to the landscape wood edging surface).

Next, use the galvanized metal brackets where you have joints. Place straight plates with a joint straight line and drill in the screws.

When placing the plate, ensure it is at the center of the joint and its sides are on both pieces being joined. Where the timber is joined at a right angle, place the corner brackets and drill them in.

Final Step: Clean and Fill in the Edging

Clean the entire area around the edging and remove any dirt or waste material in the trench. Start putting the soil back on each side of the edge.

Tamp the soil you put in and add some more until the trench is level with the ground. You may use other materials to fill the trench, such as crushed gravel or stones.

Final Thoughts

Using wood landscape edging is a great way to separate your landscape feature, such as a garden, from the rest of the landscape on your property. It is simple, and you can take it up as your next DIY project using the steps above.