How do you install sleepers for garden edging?

Cut your sleepers to your required length, which could be random for a rustic look. Then mix up some lean mortar, such as 6:1, to be used as a concrete base and haunching. Place at least a 50mm bed of concrete in the bottom of the trench and start inserting the sleepers, haunching them up as you go.

What timber is best for garden edging?

Redwood. Redwood is a good choice for outdoor use as it’s resistant to bugs and rot as well as moisture. Using it for your garden’s edge will ensure you’ve got a great edging for many years.

What do you put between sleepers and soil?

Some people place a layer of pea gravel, or drainage pipe at the base of the railway sleeper wall, before backfilling with soil, so that the water can be channelled out. How to build a retaining wall or raised bed using railway sleepers stacked horizontally.

Do sleepers need foundations?

The most important thing is that the railway sleepers are laid on a surface that is level and firm. Perfectionists and Engineers will do this on a foundation of concrete, but more mortal people will often simply use gravel or hardcore or sand or even the soil itself if it is solid.

How do you prevent sleepers from rotting?

Wood Preserver Wood preservative treatments provide garden sleepers with protective properties that help prevent rot, mould and fungal growth, as well as help to form a defence against the elements. It is best to apply a wood preservative before installation of your sleeper, so that you can paint all sides.

How do you secure landscape timbers to the ground?

Secure the timber border to the ground with rebar, if desired. Drill 3/8-inch holes through the centers of the timbers, spacing the holes about 4 feet apart. Pin the timbers to the soil with 12-inch lengths of #3 (3/8-inch-diameter) rebar driven with a hand sledge.

Do you need to line garden sleepers?

You may want to add bricks or stones at the bottom before the soil to increase drainage. Our timber sleepers are made from a specific class of timber for use in ground and water contact, so lining the beds is not essential.

Do sleepers need drainage?

Sleepers can be laid directly onto firm ground, however it’s recommended that at the very least a bed of sand or aggregate is used to assist drainage and provide a firm footing. Purists will always insist on a concrete bed, however if the wall is additionally supported by posts then this is not always necessary.

How long will sleepers last in the ground?

Softwood sleepers comes from pine and it is known that they a less resistant to decay and have to be treated to ensure they last a long time, when treated and maintained after purchase you can expect softwoods sleepers to give you up to 20 years of use.

Do I need to seal landscape timbers?

Most projects will require precision trimming of the wood before installation, exposing untreated ends. If left unsealed, these ends would allow moisture inside, quickly diminishing the timber’s life and quality. This is why it is crucial to seal and coat the exposed ends of pressure-treated landscape timber.

How do you fix sleepers together?

With sleepers on a narrow edge, simply screw the sleepers together at the 90 degree corners, allowing at least 50mm (or 2″) of the screw to penetrate the adjoining sleeper. Two screws per corner is ideal.

How long do timber sleepers last?

How to lay sleepers for garden edging?

How to lay sleepers for garden edging. 1 1. Choose a location. If you already have a garden, you just need to outline the edges where you’ll lay the sleepers. If you are starting from 2 2. Gather tools and materials. 3 3. Dig a shallow trench and prepare the foundation. 4 4. Lay the sleepers. 5 5. Fill with soil.

Can railway sleepers be used as edging for flower beds?

The most coolest thing to use railway sleepers as edging is that they can be stacked to attain the desired height of your flower bed. While a neat and orderly flower bed edging is a simple design, it fits very well to any garden design.

What are garden sleeper beams?

Garden sleeper ideas are a popular choice for outdoor spaces, and it’s easy to see why. Traditionally used to support railway tracks, these sturdy, wooden beams can offer a plot tons of rustic charm.

What are garden sleepers used for?

Garden sleeper ideas are a popular choice for outdoor spaces, and it’s easy to see why. Traditionally used to support railway tracks, these sturdy, wooden beams can offer a plot tons of rustic charm. Garden sleepers are super versatile too, and as you’ll soon see, can be used for all kinds of landscaping projects.