Wood Edging for Landscaping

Wood is an affordable, versatile material to use for framing gardens and walkways. Whether you want to reuse stock lumber or remaining post ends from fencing, wood edging reduces overall maintenance by blocking weeds and wayward grass from encroaching on paths and flowerbeds. If you're undecided on the type of wood edging to use, choose a style that accentuates the straight lines of a walkway or the curves of a garden.

Landscape timbers are pressure-treated, so they won't rot. They're best-suited for straight or angled features. The corners of the wood add definition without detracting attention from flowers or a paved surface. Installing timbers is simple. Lay them over a bed of gravel to allow water to drain away, and embed the timbers halfway in the ground to hold them in place. For extra stability, drill holes through the ends and drive lengths of rebar through the holes and into the ground.

Wood posts add a textured, handmade look to a yard. This type of edging works as well for curved edges as it does for straight lines. The posts are joined at the sides and inserted partially into the ground to form a low wall. Stain the posts a dark color to reduce damage from UV rays and accentuate vibrant blossoms.

For curved edges or large areas, bender board is inexpensive and simple to install in a narrow trench. This flexible 1/4-inch-thick redwood board can hug tight curves or give sharp definition to a perfect circle. If you use pressure-treated bender board, avoid installing it near edible gardens, as the chemicals from the wood can seep into the ground. Cypress and cedar are two types of naturally rot-resistant wood that are a good fit for vegetable gardens.

Wood block edging is ready-made from stumps of wood. Similar to post edging, wood blocks are installed individually and banded together. The blocks are in the shape of cylinders and placed vertically at varying heights. Wood blocks are more expensive than other types of wood edging, but they result in a more polished look.