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Landscapers and home gardeners have been using
sleepers in the garden successfully for a number of years and for some
jobs they are by far the most attractive, easy to use and cost effective
material available. Sleepers are ideal for decorative garden edging and retaining walls but
they can also be used very effectively for fencing, the front of steps,
surrounds for trees and even for paths and the constructions of durable
outside furniture and play equipment for children. In fact, cost
effective sleepers, can be used for any purpose a gardener's imagination
takes him.
Basically there are two types of sleepers available, those that originally
formed the foundation of many of Australia's early railroads and those
that are milled new for the purpose and are usually cut from Ironbark
or Red Gum. The best sleepers to use for most jobs are those which have been recycled
for several reasons. Their age gives them a true rustic look, they have been very well seasoned
and as they have stood, over the years, the weight of thousands of heavy
trains, you can be sure that they have no hidden faults and will last
for a lifetime. The main reason, however is, that being recycled from existing timber
they are "Environmentally Friendly" by saving our existing forests. When buying sleepers always make sure that you buy from a garden supplier
who will saw your sleepers into required lengths and, in the case of retaining
walls, supply you with short pieces to use as uprights.
As a final word, some people are attracted to Red Gum when buying sleepers
because of its colour but remember that once Red Gum becomes weathered
in your garden it turns grey. One of the most attractive of the
"Recycled" sleepers, however,
are those that come from the Nullabor Plain for the sand in which they
have sat for many years gives them an attractive garden colour.
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