đđźHi there.
So, this is the year you get outside and pull your outdoor space together.
Youâve got plans for everything from designing new garden areas to adding tree rings - and water features aren't off the table. And if you boost your curb appeal along the way? You wonât complain!
While researching ideas for your landscaping project youâve likely run across a gazillion blog posts about every type of edging - plastic edging, metal edging (steel or aluminum edging), rubber edging, flexible edging (redwood bender boards), hardscaped edging (cement curbing). And those are just some of the options!
There are so many  decisions to make when it comes to a landscaping project:
- What edging is best for flower beds?
- What about lawn edging - what stands up to a string trimmer?
- What edging material is safe to use around vegetable gardens?Â
We aren't aiming to add to your choice anxiety! But have you considered wooden edging?
Read on to learn about the many reasons why wood edging, in particular two-by (2x) lumber, is a good choice - possibly a perfect choice - for your projects whether you're going for a rustic look or a modern landscape.
đ Get All Your Questions Answered!
Check out: Garden Edging with Two-by (2x) Lumber: The Complete Guide.
Letâs get to it!
What Is Two-by (2x) Lumber?
Two-by lumber is dimensional lumber which refers to wood that has been milled to standard heights, widths, and lengths.
Dimensional lumber is available at home improvement stores like Home Depot, hardware stores, and lumber yards. In other words, itâs everywhere and easy to get which is part of why we like using two-by lumber for edging projects.
Peruse the lumber aisles at your favorite big box store and youâll see one-by (1x), two-by (2x), four-by (4x) and six-by (6x) lumber. The âoneâ, âtwoâ, âfourâ, and âsixâ refer to how many inches thick the lumber is. Well, almost.
Dimensional lumber is actually a half-inch thinner than the number you see on the label. Meaning, for example, a two-by-four is 2-inches thick and 4-inches high by name, but IRL itâs actually 1.5-inches by 3.5-inches.
(Interest piqued? Here's some history on dimensional lumber standardization.)
Concerns About Using Natural Wood As Edging
If you're thinking about using wood as edging, you're likely wondering:
- Wonât it rot away?
- Wonât I have to replace it in a year or two?
- Won't it leach chemical preservatives into my soil?
- Doesnât it attract the wrong kinds of bugs?
The answers to these questions are:
- At some point years from now.
- No. (Have a look at our at-a-glance lumber comparison chart. Decades of service are possible depending on the wood you choose.)
- This will depend on the type of lumber you choose.
- Not likely and it depends on the type of wood you use. (If you're worried about termites check out "Easy & All Wrong! The DIY Cardboard Method In the Garden" and know that cardboard, not lumber, is the real menace!)
10 Reasons Why Two-by Lumber Is Great for Edging Projects
There are many benefits to using natural wood two-by lumber as a natural edge in your landscape.
1. Durable and long lasting
Two-by lumber is substantial and will last for many years. Even untreated lumber (lumber that hasn't had any chemical treatment to extend its useful life) will give you years of upright service.
Choose chemically or naturally rot-resistant wood and the life cycle of your edging can reach decades.
2. Readily available
Two-by lumber is super common stuff. You can get it at "big box" stores, local hardware stores and lumber yards.
You'll also find it at yard sales, free or almost-free on online platforms like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor, and in give-away piles and alleys.
When you realize what you're looking for? You'll find it everywhere.
3. Get the job done fast
With two-by lumber you'll get from store shelf to finished project in a hurry.
Two-by lumber comes in many lengths off-the-shelf including 4-foot, 6-foot, 8-foot, 10-foot, and 12-foot.
That means you can skip the step where you measure, mark and cut your lumber to size.
Making a raised garden bed for your vegetable garden? Easy! Grab two 4-foot boards and two 8-foot boards and edge that bed with the quickness!
4. Custom off-the shelf
Two by lumber comes in a variety of edging heights as well as lengths off-the-shelf.
If you'd like to create edging that's low to the ground, go with a 2x2 which will give your edging a 1.5-inch high profile.
Want to create a more substantial raised bed? Go with a 2x6 which will give your edge a 5.5-inch high profile - plenty of edging to contain dirt, mulch, gravel, etc.
5. Easy to customize to suit
If you do need to change the length of two-by lumber to fit into your garden or landscape design, this is an easy thing to do with hand or power tools.
6. It's modular
Edging made from pieces of lumber is modular edging. That means it's easy to change up and maintain.
To extend it, just add another board. To replace a section of edging just swap in a new board.
Re-using, repairing, and replacing sections is easy to do with wood edging.
7. Create truly unique designs
Using natural wood for your edging project opens up new creative options and possibilities. You can paint it or stain it to add a complementary or contrasting color or tone to your landscape design.
Or let it season for a timeless weathered, natural look.
Make angled cuts in your boards and make interesting shapes like hexagon-shaped beds and zig-zag garden borders. You can do all of this with simple hand tools - no special skills or  required.
8. A safe wood edging option
Untreated pine and cedar in particular are great choices to make chemical-free edging. Youâll find no questionable chemical preservatives - such as creosote commonly found in railroad ties - in either of these options.
(If you'd like to stain pine or cedar and you're worried about chemicals, consider a water-based stain or DIY options such vinegar wood stain.)
9. A sustainable edging option
Out of all the edging material out there, wood edging is the best option when it comes to sustainability. It's not only a natural-looking border - it's a natural border.
Lumber is a renewable resource that eventually breaks down, returning to the earth. It's also recyclable and reusable.
A tip: when purchasing lumber look for certification by the Forest Stewardship Council which indicates that the lumber your buying is a product of sustainable forestry practices.
10. A distinctly different, streamlined profile
Weâve all seen the typical types of timber used as wood landscape edging: landscape timbers, 4x4 posts, and railroad ties.
Two-by lumber offers a very different look compared to these large-profile beams and posts. Its clean straight lines lean modern, not chunky (some might say clunky).
One of our customerâs put it this way in a verified product review, âThe 2x4 edging offers a modern, clean look without being fussy or too heavyâ. Yes - that! Â
Which Lumber Is Best For Edging Projects?
In "The Best Lumber For Garden Edging: Compare Pros & Cons", we highlight a number of different types of wood that are suitable for landscape edging projects including natural wood (untreated pine, pressure treated pine, cedar, redwood) and man-made materials (composite wood, recycled plastic).
There are other types of natural solid wood available in lumber and specialty yards that you can find or have milled into two-by dimensional lumber but these would be cost prohibitive and not suitable for outdoor use.
Of the four natural wood options we investigate in "The Best Lumber For Garden EdgingâŚ.", there are three that are easy to obtain:
Untreated pine - The least expensive option that merits consideration even though it isn't rated for ground contact and has the shortest life-span when used in outdoor projects. (Note: Staining, waterproofing/sealing, or painting will add years to this option.)
Pressure treated pine - Affordable and omni-present, and useful for everything from decks and pergolas to wooden garden edging. (Pressure treated lumber relies on chemicals for longevity. At one time, one of those chemicals was arsenic! Here's comprehensive info on pressure treated wood for your consideration.)Â
Cedar -Â AÂ more expensive choice but its long life, natural resistance to rot and pests, and all around au naturel good looks make it a terrific garden edging option.
How To Make Wood Edging Last
The trick to keeping wood edging viable for years relies on more than choosing the right lumber.
As you research your wood edging options you'll likely run into suggestions to use screws, nails, and trenches to tackle your installation.
Proceed with caution.
Holes in wood means rot in wood
Putting holes in lumber for nails and screws introduces weak spots that enable rot and decay.
If you can help it, don't use nails and screws to tie your lumber together or attach it to stabilizing wood stakes.
Wet wood is no good
Digging a trench, dropping lumber into that trench, and pushing the dirt back onto the lumber in the trench? Is a bad idea.
Wood that's in a trench is in a constantly wet or moist environment and that moisture will speed up the rotting process.
If you can, skip the trench when using wood as landscape edging.
(Also? If you change things up at a later date, skipping the trench means you won't leave unsightly trenches all over your property!)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is two-by (2x) lumber, and why is it suitable for landscape edging?
Two-by lumber refers to dimensional lumber that is two-inches thick and available in standardized widths. It's commonly represented in the building trades with "2x". For example, a two-by-four (two-inch by 4-inch lumber) is a "2x4". Two by lumber is well suited for use as landscape and garden edging because it's durable, substantial, and easy to customize. Check out our complete guide to using two-by lumber as garden edging for all the details. Â
How do I install two-by lumber for garden edging?
Your garden edging project will start with design. Once you have a plan, cut your lumber to size and lay it out on the ground. You have a few options to secure the lumber and keep it in place. One efficient option is 2xEDGE Staples which are designed to hold two-by lumber firmly in place without the need to create screw or nail holes in your lumber which lessens the chance of rot. Stapling the lumber in place requires no trench digging and just one tool to install, a 16-ounce rubber mallet.
What are the benefits of using two-by lumber over other edging materials?
Two-by lumber is durable. Depending on the type of lumber you use - pine (treated and untreated), cedar, redwood - it can be cost-effective. It's widely available and easy to obtain. It makes modular edging and so is easy to extend and repair. It's easy to customize. It has a distinct, streamlined profile that works well in all types of garden design, from modern to industrial to rustic. Learn the pros and cons of the two-by lumber options available to use as edging in this comparison post.
How can I protect two-by lumber from rotting in the garden?
Cedar and redwood two-by lumber are naturally pest and rot resistant. Pressure treated lumber also resists pests and rot through a chemical treatment. Untreated lumber, typically made from pine, doesn't have pest or rot resistance baked in. Applying a sealant or wood preservative can help protect all of these types of lumber - untreated lumber in particular - from moisture and pests, extending the useful life of each.
Is two-by lumber environmentally friendly for garden use?
Using two-by lumber made from sustainably sourced wood can be an eco-friendly choice for garden edging. Choose cedar or redwood to create naturally rot/pet resistant, long lasting garden edging. Using untreated pine lumber is also a sustainable, chemical-free choice for edging.
So, Now You Know
Who knew there are so many benefits to using two-by lumber as wood landscape edging?
Well, we did. And now you do, too.
Ready to go grab your lumber? We've got info to help you figure out what lumber will work best for your project and how to get all that lumber home. Check out our comprehensive two-by lumber guide.
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The Best Lumber For Garden Edging: Compare Pros & Cons
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