Two-by lumber is a go-to material for gardeners, landscapers, and DIYers who want something durable, functional, customizable, and budget-friendly to use as garden edging.
Need edging around mulch and flower beds, along paths, to separate lawn from gravel or mulch? Grab two-by lumber and you'll build these and other garden borders quickly and easily.
By the end of this guide you'll be equipped and excited to tackle your next garden edging project with your new go-to: two-by lumber.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What Is Two-by Lumber?
- Why Use Two-by Lumber for Garden Edging?
- Types of Two-by Lumber for Landscaping
- What's the Best Two-by Lumber for Garden Edging?
- Where To Get 2x Lumber and How To Get It Home Safely
- Two-by Lumber Cost Comparison
- How To Install Two-by Lumber as Garden Edging (Step-by-Step)
- Creative Two-by Lumber Garden Edging Ideas
- FAQs
What is Two-by (2x) Lumber?
Two-by lumber gets its name from its dimensions.
Once upon a time two-by lumber made of wood was actually two-inches thick.
The actual dimensions changed over time, decreasing the actual thickness and width (4-inches, 6-inches, 8-inches, and on) by half an inch.
The shrinkage in size is due to the drying and milling process which removes half an inch from the lumber's width and thickness.
An example: lumber starts out 2-inches thick and 4-inches wide, commonly known as a "two-by four" (2x4). After drying out and a trip through the lumber mill, the actual dimensions of a two-by four are 1.5-inches by 3.5-inches.
These nominal and actual dimensions are standard across the lumber industry. When you ask someone at a lumber yard to point you to the 2x4s, have no fear; they'll know exactly what you're talking about.
📝 A Note About Lumber Length.
The nominal and actual length of two-by lumber are the same. For example, an 8-foot long two-by-four (2x4) is labeled "8-feet" (or 8') and it is actually 8-feet. The nominal dimensions on the label will read 2 x 4 x 8'; the actual dimensions will be 1.5-inches x 3.5-inches x 8-feet.
Dimensions of 2x lumber for edging
Here's a simple chart that shows standardized nominal and actual dimensions of two-by lumber commonly used for garden edging projects.
When measuring for your project, be sure to use the actual dimensions!
| NOMINAL | ACTUAL |
| 2x2 | 1.5 inches thick by 1.5 inches wide |
| 2x3 | 1.5 inches thick by 2.5 inches wide |
| 2x4 | 1.5 inches thick by 3.5 inches wide |
| 2x6 | 1.5 inches thick by 5.5 inches wide |
| 2x8 | 1.5 inches thick by 7.5 inches wide |
| 2x10 | 1.5 inches thick by 9.5 inches wide |
Why Use Two-by Lumber for Garden Edging?
There are many benefits to using two-by lumber in your garden and landscaping projects.
Practical and durable lumber for garden projects
Depending on the type of lumber you choose it can be an affordable garden edging solution that's easy to obtain at big box stores, hardware stores, and local lumber yards.
Especially when choosing pressure-treated or naturally resistant wood like cedar, or man-made options, you'll have long-lasting wood for outdoor borders.
Easy to customize
Garden edging made with two-by lumber is customizable starting with the many widths and lengths available off the shelf.
For example, say you're creating a brand new garden bed where you currently have grass and weeds. Choose 2x6 lumber to edge your new bed and add wood chips or mulch level with your edging. No weed barrier needed. The thick five- to 6-inch layer of mulch will kill off the vegetation that you don't want while keeping the worms and other beneficial critters in your soil alive and productive.
Or maybe you have an established garden bed that just needs edging to contain a fresh new layer of mulch. Experts recommend two- to four-inches of mulch as dressing for garden beds making 2x2, 2x3, or 2x4 lumber a perfect choice for your edging project.
Plus: color! Choose wood lumber and you have the option to paint or stain your edging. Choose recycled plastic and opt for a color that suits your vision for your outdoor space.
📌 Wondering how wood two-by lumber holds up over time?
Get the pros, cons, and tips for using wood 2x lumber in your garden and set yourself up to take advantage of 2x wood for edging.
Eco-friendly 2x lumber for gardens
Garden edging made of wood will eventually naturally break down, feeding the soil as it returns to the earth.
Other wood options such as railroad ties are treated with preservatives and chemicals that bring eco-friendliness into question. Depending on the two-by lumber you choose, you can entirely avoid chemicals in your wood edging.
Plastic two-by lumber is made with recycled materials, taking plastic destined for landfills or other places where we don't want it to go and turning it into a useful product that can last many decades.
Versatile two-by lumber for landscaping
Two-by lumber is not only practical, its streamlined profile is aesthetically pleasing. It works well in all types of garden design from modern to industrial to rustic.
Use it for its natural appearance which blends seamlessly into outdoor spaces. Or create unique accents with your edging by painting or staining wood lumber, or choosing from the variety of plastic lumber colors.
Types of Two-by Lumber For Landscaping
Two-by lumber that's suitable to use in your garden and landscape comes in two flavors:
- lumber made from natural wood;
- man-made lumber.
Pine, cedar, and redwood are natural and durable woods for garden borders and landscaping projects and are easy to source.
Man-made two-by materials to consider:
- composite wood: made with wood fibers and/or sawdust mixed with resins and formed into a dimensional board;
- plastic lumber: made with recycled/repurposed plastic that's injected into a mold to create a dimensional board.
Man-made two-by lumber may need to be special ordered or purchased online through a manufacturer or distributor.
It also tends to be more costly than natural wood lumber. But the fact that it requires no maintenance and lasts pretty much forever might offset its higher price tag.
📌 Need Help Deciding on the Right Lumber?
Check out this detailed post: "The Best Lumber For Garden Edging: Compare Pros & Cons".
What's the Best Two-by (2x) Lumber for Garden Edging?
Choosing the right two-by lumber for edging depends on your specific project needs and your personal needs and preferences.
Your first consideration might be wood versus man-made lumber. There are pros and cons to using each in garden projects.
2x lumber options that are wood include:
- untreated pine
- pressure treated pine
- cedar
- redwood
Man-made 2x lumber options include:
- composite wood
- recycled plastic
Factors you may find important to consider when choosing between wood and man-made options, or choosing within these categories include:
- sustainability (does the ecological impact of your purchases matter to you?)
- longevity (are you looking for a one-and-done solution?)
- natural color and tone (do you prefer the natural reddish tint of cedar; or the more yellow tint of pine?)
- garden design (will your edging be strictly functional or will you use it as an accent or design feature?)
- cost (how much lumber will you need for your project?).
📌 Know Your Options
Get at-a-glance and in-depth comparisons about the two-by lumber available for garden edging projects.
Where To Get 2x Lumber and How To Get It Home
You've decided to create garden edging with lumber. Great!. Next up: sourcing materials and safely transporting them to your project site.
Whether you're shopping at a local hardware store or considering delivery options, there are plenty of ways to secure quality lumber for your project.
Where to obtain two-by lumber for garden edging
There are obvious places to secure two-by lumber such as local stores:
- big box stores (eg., Home Depot, Lowes);
- local mom-and-pop hardware stores and hardware store chains (eg., Ace Hardware, Do It Best Hardware);
- local lumber yards; and,
- building material recyclers and salvage stores (eg., Habitat for Humanity ReStore)
Other less obvious places to check online include:
- Craigslist (run a search on "lumber" and also check their "Free Stuff" section);
- Facebook Marketplace;
- eBay (particularly good for sourcing recycled plastic lumber)
- Freecycle.org (check what's on offer; post a request - you may be surprised by how many people are eager to give away left-over lumber); and,
- community sites like Nextdoor.org.
📝 Using Composite or Recycled Plastic Lumber? Plan Ahead.
It's a good idea to build in lead time to secure man-made lumber materials as these usually need to be special ordered and shipped. To keep your project on track, plan ahead and order early.
Transporting 2x lumber for garden projects
Getting lumber home yourself can feel daunting, especially if you plan to use lumber that is eight feet or more.
Not to worry!
DIY options for moving lumber from point-A to point-B include turning your car into your very own delivery truck, and strapping (not tying) the lumber to the roof of your car.
📌 Safety first!
Learn how to safely get your lumber to your project site on your own worry-free! Check out our guide, How To Secure Lumber In Your Car Or To Your Car's Roof.
Delivery options for two-by lumber
If you'd rather not hassle with ratchet straps or adapting your car to mimic a cargo van that's fine. There are plenty of other ways to flex your DIY muscles!
A little research before you buy can turn up stores that will deliver or ship your lumber (some at no extra cost).
Consider hiring a delivery service or driver. Craigslist, Task Rabbit, and other platforms can come in handy here.
Or create a hybrid delivery solution: rent a truck or van and ask a friend or hire someone to help you get your lumber home.
📌 Solving For Lumber Delivery.
Check out Delivered: DIY & Other Options To Get Lumber Home and tackle your project logistics with confidence.
Two-by (2x) Lumber Cost Comparison
An obvious and important part of your garden edging project planning process is understanding the price differences between various types of two-by lumber.
From pressure-treated lumber to composite wood, prices vary based on durability, availability, and environmental considerations.
In our post, "The Best Lumber For Garden Edging: Compare Pros & Cons", you'll find at-a-glance and comprehensive cost comparisons across wood and man-made 2x lumber types available to help you make the best financial and practical choice for your garden edging project.
📌 Don't Forget Delivery Costs!
Learn all about delivery options for two-by lumber and transporting 2x lumber safely on your own and get a handle on this potential additional project cost.
How To Install Two-by Lumber as Garden Edging
Installing two-by lumber as garden edging is a straightforward DIY project that can be easy to accomplish with minimal effort.
While it can be an easy project that requires minimal effort, far too often DIYers end up using an approach that isn't easy or minimal in effort.
During the project research phase, you'll likely come across approaches that require -
- hanging a string line or spray painting lines on the ground to indicate project boundaries;
- digging trenches where your lumber will be placed;
- hammering wooden stakes into the ground to support lumber; and,
- screwing or nailing your lumber to the stakes.
This is a particularly troubling way to tackle a wood garden edging installation because it sets up your wood to rot prematurely:
burying the lumber in a trench means it is consistently exposed to moisture which speeds up decay;
screwing or nailing the wood together or to wood stakes creates holes in the wood that make it easy for moisture - from rain, snow, a sprinkler, a watering can - to enter and start to rot the wood.
Not only does this installation method create bad conditions for the life of your wood lumber, it's also a lot of work! Digging trenches isn't exactly "minimal effort".
Here's a video that illustrates an easier way to create DIY garden edging with two-by lumber whether it's wood or man-made.
You'll not only complete your project in less time and with less effort, your garden edging will have a longer useful life.
📌 Before You Grab a Shovel To Dig a Trench -
Check out our comprehensive two-by lumber installation guide, "How To Install Landscape and Garden Edging (DIY)" for complete step-by-step install instructions. Plus explore a variety of garden edging options.
Creative Two-by Lumber Garden Edging Ideas
Two-by lumber isn't just functional. It's also a creative tool for creating unique garden edging wherever it's needed - around a flower bed, to edge a patio, to contain mulch in a curbside garden.
Unique garden borders are possible because of the customization options that 2x lumber lends itself to.
If you're using wood lumber, you can paint or stain it to suit your vision. Plastic recycled lumber comes in a variety of colors to feed your creativity.
Want to try out something other than square and rectangular beds? Make geometric shapes - hexagon-shaped garden bed anyone? - with simple and clean angled cuts.
Innovative, one-of-a-kind garden edging projects that support and enhance your garden design are possible and easy to execute with two-by lumber.
Looking for ideas? Here are a few to fire up your design mind.
DIY Patio Edging Ideas: Stunning Wood Garden Borders
DIY Flower Bed: Easily Make Beautiful Garden Borders
Parking Strip Gardens: Tips for Landscape Edging SuccessFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the pros and cons of using pressure-treated two-by lumber for garden edging?
Pros: Pressure-treated two-by lumber is durable, resistant to rot and pests, affordable and cost-effective for larger projects, and easy to obtain. Cons: The rot and pest resisting qualities of pressure treated wood is created with chemical preservatives which you may want to consider - especially when using it in applications such as garden edging around a vegetable bed. Additionally, because it's wood, it may warp and/or crack over time if not properly maintained.
Can I use untreated two-by lumber for outdoor garden projects?
Yes, untreated two-by lumber can be used in your garden. Depending on factors such as weather, location, and use-case it will likely last two to four years. Sealing or staining untreated lumber can help improve its weather resistance and useful life. Compare untreated lumber with other two-by lumber options in our lumber guide.
Is two-by lumber safe for vegetable gardens?
Two-by lumber made of untreated wood such as untreated pine, cedar, and redwood is a good option to contain vegetable beds. Cedar and redwood are naturally rot and pest resistant which means they will have a longer useful life compared to untreated pine lumber. Pressure-treated lumber (PTL) used to contain arsenic-based preservatives but this is no longer the case. However, PTL does contain chemicals that make it resist rot and insects. This is why many people prefer untreated woods for vegetable gardening.
What are the best weatherproofing options for two-by lumber?
Sealing, staining, or painting are excellent ways to weatherproof two-by lumber. Use exterior-grade wood sealers or stains designed to resist moisture and UV damage. Reapply annually for maximum protection.
How long does two-by lumber last when used for garden edging?
The lifespan of two-by lumber used in outside garden applications depends on the type of wood your lumber is made from, location, weather conditions, and maintenance routine. Cedar or redwood can last a couple of decades. Pressure-treated lumber (PTL) can last 10–15 years. Recycled plastic two-by lumber can last 50+ years and requires no maintenance. Compare a variety of two-by lumber options in our lumber guide.
What are some budget-friendly ways to source two-by lumber locally?
Big box stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Menards), local hardware stores, lumber yards, and building material recycles like Habitat for Humanity ReStore are brick-and-mortar options to source two-by lumber. Online platforms to check include Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay (particularly good for sourcing recycled plastic lumber), and community sites like Freecycle and Nextdoor.
Can I paint or stain two-by lumber for a more decorative look?
Yes, two-by lumber can be painted or stained to suite your vision and enhance your garden/landscape design. Use exterior-grade paint or stain to protect against weather and UV rays. For a step-by-step walkthrough of a garden edging installation that includes stained two-by lumber, visit our comprehensive guide on how to stain and install garden edging.