I have used the green timbers in the flowerbeds but would like to put some color in. Any ideas on how this will work? My mulch is red color and I think it would look so much better. Home Depot's ad shows a special price of 1.97 for cherry tone, is this the normal product or is a different type, a colorant that will wash with the first rain? I have a large area that I want to use it in and this price is certainly better than the 4.30 price quoted from the lumberyard. Our closest HD is 90 miles one way so I don't want to make a mistake. Hope you all can help. I am trying to keep the cost down, this bed is HOPEFULLY temporary until we can decide how to landscape this area. I want to use the red mulch around the flowerpots that I have sitting on top of flagstone which is sitting on top of landscape barrier. I had thought about using red scallop brick but that would be more expensive, I need to hold in the mulch and I thought the lumber would work.

bumping for ideas.....advice.....as usual....you are ALL going to get so tired of seeing my name before you even see the thread

could you maybe just stain the timbers you have? It should be easy...just rub it on with a rag....if you use a stain and sealer, it would even be a good thing, as my buddy Martha says.

without seeing the product I have no idea... plus we really don't HAVE rain... maybe call HD and ask them...?

also make sure the $1.97 type is the same size as the lumberyard type... and what kind of wood each is...

Lowes in our area has these for $1.97 everyday. And HD has these regularly for $2.97 and they go on sale semi-regularly for the $1.97.

How many are you buying? 180 miles would be a lot of gas (and time) if you aren't getting many.

My guess is you will need to treat them since they will get wet - that or they will rot. You can buy it in the paint section - just ask.

Thanks for the answers, I tried placing one of the timbers where I was thinking of using them along the drive, I think it would be okay to use them for this project, I would probably need 30 to do this area so I may need to make the trip IF they have them and at that price still. Lowe's in the nearest town said they only carry the one which is the green/natural but the HD carries it all the time. Do you think they would have to be treated with something like deck preservative? Has anyone used these in a project and how well did you like them?
Wabbit, I will have to look at the old timbers and see if it would be worthwhile to try to stain them, I really hadn't thought about that. I know pictures are helpful to see the project, sure wish I would learn how to do this.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ladeuce,

ladeuce... why not use what you have on hand... Rocks. They free and from what you've said, you have an abundance of them.

I know everyone thinks Iowa is flat as aboard (not!) and has never seen a rock... BUT... we actually have gazillians of them... the glaciers dumped them here eons ago... So when we wanted to do some landscaping and raised beds we used rock (I love rocks)...

It might be something for you to consider, too... they add alot of texture to the garden and (IMHO) the contrast between the hard rock and the lush green plants is very nice....

I stained and sealed the timbers I used to surround these beds and make this wall.... it's so much better all around .... if your timbers are in good shape, just stain them!!!...