Timber edging is very popular in landscaping with flowers because it can bring a sense of interest to the entire garden. This provides a focal point where a variety of different flowers and plants can be included. The purpose of this type of landscaping is to provide an outline or border around the flower bed. Timber may be incorporated in a number of different ways within a landscaping with flowers design. It can be used as individual strands, built up into larger shapes, or even used in a weaving fashion to create an overall impression of texture and depth.
Using timber as an edging material is not something that should be undertaken lightly. A well-planned and implemented edging will add a number of different elements to your landscaping with flowers, including the visual appeal, as well as the functionality. There are a number of different reasons why a flower bed wedge can be used, but one of the main reasons is to prevent the growth of weeds and other invasive plants. Without this prevention, your garden could quickly become overrun with these types of plants. An example would be that if a flower bed was to be left unfilled, after a few years most likely, weeds would have grown through the cracks in the bed, growing into large full-sized bushes.
Before deciding on incorporating timber edging in to your landscaping with flowers, it is important to spend some time thinking about what type of timber would be best suited for the area you have available. One of the biggest factors in determining the success of a timber edging project is the type of the root structure of the plant. If you are planning to use live-bearing plants, then you will need to ensure they do not have any significant root systems, or else they will simply rot or die. If you are planning to introduce dwarf or shrub flowers, it is important to ensure that they too have good root structures.
The location of your flower beds is also important when deciding to install timber bed edging. You must first make sure the flower bed will receive sufficient light throughout the day, as many plants require sunlight to flower. Also, check that there is enough space to walk around your flower bed, as it is vital for workers to perform maintenance on the bed. Finally, if you are going to install vertical timber beds, it is important that the rows run parallel to the wall, as this helps reduce water loss.
Before beginning your timber edging project, you should plan carefully exactly where you want to install the edging. If possible, locate the bed on a south facing slope. This is because the water would drain down the slope and avoid the pooling underneath the flower bed. You should also bear in mind that lighter coloured plants may stain the timber, so it is advisable to choose a dark coloured timber for such plants. You can also apply varnish to the flower bed to protect it from the elements, which will prevent it from discolouring during wet weather.
There are many benefits to installing timber edging for flower beds, the most obvious of which is the fact that the bed is given protection against the elements. Additionally, it gives you the opportunity to create a focal point or style the garden by means of different styles of borders and decor. In addition, timber can be treated to resemble bricks or stone, and thus, can provide a unique visual element to your garden.
However, there are certain disadvantages associated with timber edging. As the bed is usually placed above a water source, it may require pumping the soil for watering. This can result in extra labour costs as well as disrupting normal water drainage. On top of this, some local council’s might not allow the treatment of timber to pave a garden path as it can lead to the growth of mould.
The biggest disadvantage of timber treatments is the amount of maintenance required. This normally depends on the thickness of the covering, however it can be quite high. As with any type of covering, periodic dressing of the bed will help keep the bed clean and free from dirt and damage. For larger gardens, it may be necessary to hire a professional to carry out this task, particularly if the flower beds are located in a heavily wooded area. This is also true in case of raised flowerbeds.