Forum home› Tools and techniques
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Timber edging preservation

RekusuRekusu Posts: 125
in Tools and techniques
What ho one and all,

Hope this is the correct section ....!

The edging between the gravel drive and garden is a 2x4 rough sawn, tanalised timber kinda semi-sunk into the ground.  When I replaced it a few years ago (the in-ground section was totally rotten,) I gave it a liberal coating of Barrentine wood treatment followed by a good soaking of used engine oil.   Yet again, it really needs to be replaced.

A recent gardening catalogue that dropped through the letterbox has this stuff listed (Eco Wood Treatment):

I really cannot believe the bold claims with the use of never.  Anyone have experience of using it?

Many thanks and toodle pip




Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    No I wouldn't believe those claims either. The main line of defence against rot will be the pressure treatment, but you should treat any cut ends with a quality wood preserver. Jacksons claim to have superior pressure treatment backed up with a 25 year warranty, so might be worth checking out. Alternatively consider metal edging or concrete
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • RekusuRekusu Posts: 125
    Interesting Jackson's link; thank you.  I would be more than happy with 25 years but since most of the wood used for these products is fast growing softwood, my personal opinion is that most of it will not last.  And  certainly not as a garden edging unless is is all above ground.

    Too much work to lay concrete or bricks; metal is interesting and what I am looking for is long lengths of around 2mm thick x 100mm high.  I have seen it used in National Trust gardens but the guys installing it have no idea where it was bought.


  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Corten steel sheet is widely available in the size you mention in 2 metre lengths. Not cheap though at about £17 a strip.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    You could investigate EverEdge - I suspect it's expensive though...
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • RekusuRekusu Posts: 125
    Thanks for the replies.  Corten is probably what they are using at the NT properties but they have my subscription to pay for it.  Unfortunately, the NT will not buy it for me!  I don't need Corten but similar in just plain mild steel would be good. 
    I have not tried EverEdge but having seen the web sites, am about 99% sure it will not work.  The edging is between the gravel drive and the soil / planted area. 
    As the drive was made with a sub-base of Grade 1 scalpings, am certain that I will not be able to hammer the 'spikes' into the ground.  Given that when we actually dig the front garden, there is soooo much builders rubble from around 40 years ago, again, absolutely certain that the EverEdge will find ever broken brick.
Sign In or Register to comment.