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Started By
Message
New raised garden beds - what type of wood to use?
Posted on 3/17/23 at 9:30 am
Posted on 3/17/23 at 9:30 am
Trying to decide what type of wood to use for new raised garden beds in NW LA. They will have ground contact. Information I have come across seems mixed in terms of whether or not pressure treated wood is safe for vegetables/herbs. I'm afraid if I use untreated wood (even cedar or redwood - which is supposedly rot resistant), it will not last very long. Thoughts?
17
Posted on 3/17/23 at 9:31 am to Dingleberry Dan
I used composite decking material. I double stacked for depth and cut small pieces to screw from the inside to join them together.
Posted on 3/17/23 at 9:36 am to Dingleberry Dan
I went from wood to cinder blocks a few years ago and no issues. I use the holes in the blocks for herbs and garlic. I wish I would’ve done it sooner. Blocks were 1.20 each
Posted on 3/17/23 at 9:38 am to Dingleberry Dan
For wood, it honestly doesn't matter. They will all rot in a few years. Treated, untreated, cedar, etc. I used them all and all of them starting falling apart after a few years.
I finally trashed all of my wood beds and am currently building cinder block beds. 2 pallets were $250 and I'm able to build 4 4x8 beds 24" high.
You could also build corrugated metal bed for pretty cheap that will last longer.
I finally trashed all of my wood beds and am currently building cinder block beds. 2 pallets were $250 and I'm able to build 4 4x8 beds 24" high.
You could also build corrugated metal bed for pretty cheap that will last longer.
Posted on 3/17/23 at 10:50 am to Dingleberry Dan
I just built a 4'x 8' raised bed with treated 2x10s. Ive read several articles that say treated lumber affecting the plants is a myth, but I guess I'll find out if I die from my tomatoes in a few months.
Posted on 3/17/23 at 10:59 am to Dingleberry Dan
I'd use cinder blocks, if I were choosing the material for a raised garden bed.
Posted on 3/17/23 at 11:10 am to LSULumberJack
quote:
Ive read several articles that say treated lumber affecting the plants is a myth, but I guess I'll find out if I die from my tomatoes in a few months.
Pressure treated wood used to contain arsenic. But it hasn't for 20+ years. Now its mostly just copper azole used to treat lumber.
ETA: I have some raised beds built with 2x10 and 2x12 treated pine still in decent condition after 4 years.
This post was edited on 3/17/23 at 11:11 am
Posted on 3/17/23 at 11:18 am to Dingleberry Dan
quote:
I'm afraid if I use untreated wood (even cedar or redwood - which is supposedly rot resistant), it will not last very long.
I used cedar and after 4 years it just looks weathered. It was expensive 4 years ago and probably insane now.
Posted on 3/17/23 at 11:54 am to LSULumberJack
quote:
I guess I'll find out if I die from my tomatoes in a few months.
You won’t die in a few months, it will be years of pain as cancer slowly eats you from the inside, while simultaneously being irradiated and injected with poison in an attempt to get you a few more months of suffering. At top dollar too.
Posted on 3/17/23 at 12:04 pm to Dingleberry Dan
I used cinder blocks which was cheaper than wood. They will last longer and I plant onions in the block cells.
Posted on 3/17/23 at 12:40 pm to Dingleberry Dan
I just built new ones this year. I used metal roofing i had so that the soil doesn't come in contact with the treated wood and set them on gravel to hopefully keep the wood drier than on direct ground to last longer. I guess time will tell.
My last ones were made out of treated 2x12's on the ground and only laste 4 years before they rotted.
This post was edited on 3/17/23 at 12:54 pm
Posted on 3/17/23 at 1:09 pm to PHNBK
They will last longer and I plant onions in the block cells
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Cinder blocks here also. What all could be planted in the block cells? Thought the blocks might get too hot to support life, also the small dimension.
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Cinder blocks here also. What all could be planted in the block cells? Thought the blocks might get too hot to support life, also the small dimension.
Posted on 3/17/23 at 1:40 pm to Dingleberry Dan
Use untreated if worried about treated. Cinderblock doesn't look as nice IMHO. In 3-4 years, you can slide in new planks easily as the ground is compacted and you remove the rotted/ing carefully. I hear treated is OK these days tho. Or read this from the Yella Wood peeps YellaWood Raised Beds
Posted on 3/17/23 at 1:44 pm to Dingleberry Dan
i use cut logs and/or split firewood.
as it/they rot they add nutrients to the bed, and can be easily replaced
as it/they rot they add nutrients to the bed, and can be easily replaced
Posted on 3/17/23 at 3:04 pm to Dingleberry Dan
If you must go wood, go cedar. I went Cinderblocks instead and love the decision. As another poster stated, the holes in the cinderblocks house my herbs and various colorful flowers
Posted on 3/17/23 at 3:31 pm to nated14
quote:
I went from wood to cinder blocks a few years ago and no issues
I can see why cinderblocks are a financial and somewhat practical decision, but man, they just don't look as good are a well built wood raised bed.
Anyone with pics of their cinderblock setup? I was looking into building one of these this summer and I would consider the swap to cinderblocks if there is an appealing setup.
EDIT: I went ahead and searched. I can be convinced. These are some solid pics:
LINK
This post was edited on 3/17/23 at 3:37 pm
Posted on 3/17/23 at 4:16 pm to PHNBK
quote:
and set them on gravel
You are 100% committed as you will never be able to get all that gravel up should you ever change your mind.
Posted on 3/17/23 at 5:54 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
I have to admit, I’m most concerned with how the cinder block beds will look. But those pictures look pretty good!
Posted on 3/17/23 at 5:57 pm to ABucks11
Just curious, do you remember the price of your cedar boards when you got them? I need a laugh.
Posted on 3/17/23 at 6:00 pm to Dingleberry Dan
I made a couple with landscape timbers. 6 timbers will make a 4x8 bed that's 6" deep. The oldest is almost 3 years old and there's no visible rot
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