How to Lay Sleepers for Garden Edging

Garden sleepers are a popular choice for creating a defined edge around your garden beds. They are versatile, durable, and can be used to create a variety of different looks. In this article, we’ll show you how to lay sleepers for garden edging in a few simple steps!

Plan Dimensions for Your Sleeper Garden Border

The first step in laying sleepers for garden border edging is to plan the dimensions of your border. Consider the shape and size of your garden bed, the type of plants you want to grow, and the overall style you want to achieve. Allow enough workspace for planting and maintaining the bed.

Also, consider drainage and slope when planning your garden border. You can check out our article on Installing Drainage Cells in Your Garden Planters for a comprehensive guide.

Prepare the Ground for Installing Sleepers

To prepare the soil for sleeper edging, you should first clear the planned border area of any grass, plants, or weeds.

Next, level the soil and improve drainage if necessary. You can add a substrate like gravel to create a flat, compacted surface for securing the sleeper edging. This will help to ensure that the border edging is stable and secure. 

Measure and Cut Sleepers to Fit Your Garden Border

To achieve the exact shape and fit for your planned garden border, measure its dimensions and cut wooden sleepers to size with a saw. Be sure to sand any rough edges smooth for safety and aesthetics.

Secure and Level Sleepers with Anchors

To anchor timber sleepers in place, you can use landscaping spikes. First, position and level the edging as desired. Then, drive the spikes through pre-drilled holes to secure the sleepers in place.

Make sure to verify that the sleepers are level and make any necessary adjustments before backfilling.

Backfill Along Sleepers with Quality Topsoil

Once you have levelled and secured the wooden sleepers, it’s time to backfill the area behind them with high-quality topsoil. Fill the soil up to the top edges of the sleepers and gently pack it down to limit settling around the timber over time. 

How to Edge a Lawn with Sleepers

Adding a sleeper border creates a crisp definition along lawn edges. You can place the sleepers along the perimeter as desired, ensuring that there is a consistent gap between the lawn and edging. Once you have done this, you can follow the same process of preparing the base, securing, and levelling.

How to Edge a Lawn Next to Paving with Sleepers

Sleepers are also a great option for edging lawns next to paving stones or driveways. To ensure a neat and organized look, make sure to leave proper spacing between the pavers and sleepers. You can use extra-long landscape spikes or concrete to securely anchor the sleepers near hardscapes.

Finish and Maintain Sleepers with Protective Care

To protect the sleepers from weathering, you can consider treating them with sealant or wood preservatives. Adding decorative corner posts or planting flowers alongside the border can enhance the look of your sleeper edging. You can also maintain your sleeper edging by clearing grass or weeds as needed.

Overall, Laying sleeper garden edging requires careful planning and preparation, but the end result is a beautiful border or lawn edge that you can enjoy for years to come. Follow the tips provided in this article for your DIY timber sleeper edging project, and let your creative garden vision shine!

To learn about building raised garden beds with wooden sleepers, check out our guide and tips section. We've put together some really useful information to help you with multiple types of DIY garden projects.