• Railroad ties are useful in many landscaping projects.Tracks image by Towards Ithaca from Fotolia.com
  
  Railroad ties are commonly used in landscaping projects. Sturdy and rustic-looking, railroad ties are inexpensive and often can be found for free. Although they are useful for a variety of projects, they do have their disadvantages. Railroad ties are extremely heavy and they are covered in creosote, an oily, poisonous bi-product of wood and coal smoke.
  
  

Retaining Wall

• Railroad ties are ideal for retaining walls on slopes. A retaining wall that is more than two or three ties high will need reinforcement from steel rods. Before placing the ties, dig a shallow trench as long as the wall you need. The trench should be as wide as the ties and several inches deep. Be sure to level it, so that the wall is stacked straight. Determine if you want the ties stacked directly on top of each other, or if you want them alternated like bricks. You may have to cut the ties with a chainsaw to achieve this effect. A staggered wall is generally cosidered to be stronger, but isn't necessary if your wall won't be more than two or three ties high. Use 12-inch long galvanized nails to secure the top tie to the one below it.
  
  

Steps

• Railroad ties can be used as steps up a slope. Decide how wide you want your steps to be and how high between each one. Cut your ties with a chainsaw to the length needed for your steps. Cut your steps into the slope with a shovel and then level them off with a flat-edged shovel by scraping the ground. Use a level if you want to make sure that the steps are very even, but bear in mind that railroad ties can be uneven so the steps will be rustic.
  
  

Raised Beds

• Railroad ties are good for permanent raised garden beds, as long as the plants are ornamental and not edible. Square off an area using string and stakes. Level the ground where the ties will lay with a shovel. Rake any loose dirt around to even out the space. If you are trying to keep animals like rabbits out of your plants, the bed should be at least two feet high. If your railroad ties are oozing creosote, do not use them for this application, as direct contact with creosote can kill some plants.