Using sleepers in the garden

In South Devon, sleepers really seem to be on trend at the moment, so I wanted to take the time to go through some of the applications and the best way to source sleepers for the garden.

Being a design and landscaping company we see sleepers used in all sorts of different ways.  We often lay sleepers flat and use them for raised beds, something you are probably all familiar with, but we are seeing a demand for using them in other ways too. 

 



Sleeper retaining walls, laid flat



For retaining walls sleepers can be both effective and attractive.  They are often quick to install, and instantly look great, as you don’t need to render and paint.  You can lay them flat on either their side or width, or even lay on end.  When laid on end, they can be used to effortlessly create a sweeping curve and look great staggered or at varying heights.  

Sleepers laid on edge to form retaining curve.

They can also be used as stepping stones to break up a scree area, for long steps or even edging to paved areas.

Sleepers will normally last longer than ordinary timber in the garden, and quickly weather to take on a silver grey appearance with some 'rustic' splitting.

Due to their size and weight, it is often best to try and source from a specialist local timber merchant, but also look online at the different reclaimed or rustic oak sleepers that are available.  If uniformity doesn’t matter and you don’t mind the odd knot or split then this is definitely the way to go.  Depending on the application you may need to look for untreated oak sleepers, as you don’t want creosote leaking out onto clothes.

In terms of installation, if you are using sleepers on end, you must make sure that around a third of the sleeper is concreted securely underground.  When laying flat you will need to prepare the ground in the same way as for paving.

 

Happy gardening!