Raised Garden Beds: 

Redwood sleepers are commonly used to create raised garden beds. By stacking the sleepers and filling them with soil, you can grow plants in a contained space that offers improved drainage and better soil structure. The raised height also makes planting, watering, and harvesting more accessible and comfortable.

Using redwood sleepers is a cost-effective and visually appealing alternative to stone or brick, and they are easier to install than many other materials. Building multi-tiered or stepped flowerbeds is relatively simple, making them an excellent choice for sloped sections of your garden. Redwood sleepers can also be used to create garden steps, helping to maintain a cohesive and natural look throughout your outdoor space.

We strongly recommend avoiding reclaimed sleepers that may have been treated with creosote or other unknown chemicals. Creosote is a known carcinogen and can harm plants, making it unsafe for use in vegetable gardens or areas growing edible flowers. Untreated redwood is a safer, natural option that supports healthy growth

Garden Edging: 

Redwood sleepers provide a stylish and practical transition from lawn or patio to flowerbeds, helping to prevent the spread of grass and weeds. Using sleeper edging with a taller profile also helps keep bark, gravel, or other topping materials in place while still allowing water to drain freely, preventing garden borders from becoming waterlogged. In most situations, a single sleeper height is all that’s needed for effective edging. Installation is straightforward—dig a shallow trench, level the base with sand or aggregate, and lay the sleepers in position.

To help extend the lifespan of your redwood sleepers, consider installing a damp-proof membrane liner before backfilling with soil. In deeper beds, using aggregate at the base can also enhance drainage. Just be mindful of using alkaline materials like limestone, as they may affect plant health.

Outdoor Steps: 

Redwood sleepers provide a softer, more natural alternative to concrete or stone steps. Depending on the layout and rise of each step, you can fill the space between sleepers with decorative aggregate that complements the wood’s rich tone and improves traction underfoot.

If your steps are made entirely of timber, it’s important to keep them free of algae to maintain a safe walking surface. The construction should be strong enough to handle regular foot traffic, so it’s a good idea to prepare the base well and consider using concrete footings in areas that receive heavy use.

Redwood sleepers can be secured with picket stakes, fixing plates, and steel rods for stability. Angle brackets are useful for forming clean 90-degree joints. The best construction method will depend on the overall height, number of steps, and how often the area is used.

Retaining Walls: 

Redwood retaining walls are a natural and visually appealing option for garden borders or soil retention, especially effective for heights up to 1.2m. To help extend the lifespan of the timber, it's recommended to install a drainage layer behind the wall, such as gravel or geotextile fabric, to reduce moisture buildup. You can also add a waterproof membrane or plastic barrier between the redwood sleepers and the soil to further protect the wood and enhance its durability over time.