Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Construct Half-Log Stairs
How to Construct Half-Log Stairs. Half-log stairs make an attractive natural building material for a hillside path. The half-log stairs provide safe footing on a natural trail or footpath. Whether it is for a garden path or a hiking trail in your backyard, this project will create a safe way to navigate your natural surroundings. While you could...
Half-log stairs make an attractive natural building material for a hillside path. The half-log stairs provide safe footing on a natural trail or footpath. Whether it is for a garden path or a hiking trail in your backyard, this project will create a safe way to navigate your natural surroundings. While you could use any logs you have available, cedar is best because it is naturally resistant to rot and insects. You can often find cedar logs from area loggers, tree companies or utility companies who clear lines.
Things You'll Need
Cedar logs, 16- to 18-inch diameter
Tape measure
Lumber crayon
Chain saw
Splitting wedge
Sledgehammer
Drill
1/2-inch drill bit
Landscaping spray paint
Shovel
Gravel
Metal rebar lengths, 18 inches long
Measure the cedar logs and mark them every 32 inches with a tape measure and lumber crayon.
Cut the logs into 32-inch lengths, using a chain saw. Each 32-inch log will yield two half-log steps.
Stand the 32-inch log lengths on end so that one end is facing up. Place a splitting wedge in the center of each log end and strike it with a sledge hammer until it splits the log in half.
Drill a 1/2-inch-diameter hole 3 inches from the ends of each log-half, from the cut side through the rounded side, using a drill equipped with a 1/2-inch drill bit.
Position the split half-logs along the pathway up the incline, with the rounded side down. Space the logs close enough together so that they can be easily navigated. Mark the location of each half-log on the ground on the incline with landscaping spray paint. Set the half-logs to one side of the spray-painted outlines.
Dig out the spray-painted outlines to half the depth of the half-log, using a shovel. Line the bottom inch of the dug-out areas with a 1- to 2-inch layer of gravel.
Lay the half-logs back into place along the incline. Place the rounded sides firmly into the gravel. Drive metal rebar through the holes in the ends of the half-logs into the ground, using the sledgehammer. The rebar holds the half-logs in place.
Tips & Warnings
Add a handrail to the sides of the incline path for added safety.
Wear eye protection when constructing half-log stairs.
