Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How to Secure Landscape Timbers

Landscape timbers are a popular choice of building material when constructing a raised flower bed, garden or when terracing a sloping landscape. To ensure your raised beds or terraces do not move, the timbers will need to be properly secured into place. Before adding soil to your raised beds, it is recommended to lay down a layer of landscaping fabric to inhibit the growth of weeds in your new garden.

Measure 2 inches from each end of all the landscape timbers with a tape measure. Mark the spot with a pencil. Measure the width of the face of the landscape timbers and mark the center point, along the initial marking you made. Where these two markings intersect is your drill point.

  • Landscape timbers are a popular choice of building material when constructing a raised flower bed, garden or when terracing a sloping landscape.
  • Measure the width of the face of the landscape timbers and mark the center point, along the initial marking you made.

Drill a 3/8-inch hole at the marked spot, through to the underside of each end of the landscape timbers.

Level the ground where you plan to lay the landscape timbers. Use a shovel to fill in dips with soil and remove any bumps.

Lay the first level of landscape timbers in the desired design at the site.

Lay subsequent levels of landscape timbers on top of the first level to achieve the desired height. Ensure that all the drilled holes, at each end of the timbers, line up with each hole below it to form a clear path through to the ground.

Hammer a piece of rebar through the holes with a sledge hammer. Continue to pound the rebar through the holes until the rebar sinks 12 to 18 inches into the ground and is flush with the top landscape timber.

  • Drill a 3/8-inch hole at the marked spot, through to the underside of each end of the landscape timbers.
  • Continue to pound the rebar through the holes until the rebar sinks 12 to 18 inches into the ground and is flush with the top landscape timber.

Secure Landscape Timbers

Gardeners use landscape timbers for many different projects. Some common uses for timbers include flowerbeds, borders and retaining walls. Each of these uses requires two means of support. Mark the footprint for the new timbers using spray paint of construction caulk. Level the gravel and set the first layer of timbers on top of the gravel. Retaining walls can be as high as 20 timbers. The chemicals in the wood would destroy other types of screws. Repeat this process until the stack reaches the desired height. Check the wall or flowerbed for level during this process. Drill a 1/2-inch hole through the timbers until you reach the ground. The rebar should go through the timbers and at least 2 feet into the ground.

  • Gardeners use landscape timbers for many different projects.
  • The rebar should go through the timbers and at least 2 feet into the ground.

Tip

Use an extension to extend the length of the drill bit for easier drilling of the holes.

Warning

Always wear safety goggles when drilling or cutting wood.

Related Articles

How to Border a Driveway With Landscape Timbers
How to Border a Driveway With Landscape Timbers
How to Connect Landscape Timbers
How to Connect Landscape Timbers
How to Lay Landscaping Fabric Behind a Retaining Wall
How to Lay Landscaping Fabric Behind a Retaining Wall
How to Make Steps in a Garden Slope
How to Make Steps in a Garden Slope
How to Build a Cement Block Garden Border
How to Build a Cement Block Garden Border
How to Landscape With Uneven Ground
How to Landscape With Uneven Ground
How to Install Pavers for a Grill
How to Install Pavers for a Grill
How to Tie Wooden Posts to Cement Blocks
How to Tie Wooden Posts to Cement Blocks
How to Terrace With Railroad Ties
How to Terrace With Railroad Ties
How to Build a Gravel Driveway Without Excavating
How to Build a Gravel Driveway Without Excavating
How to Build Planters With Landscape Timbers
How to Build Planters With Landscape Timbers
How to Lay Brick Pavers With Mortar
How to Lay Brick Pavers With Mortar
How to Lay Stepping Stones for a Walkway
How to Lay Stepping Stones for a Walkway
Garden Guides
×