Untreated Lumber For Raised Beds

Untreated wood in general can make beautiful rustic looking raised beds.

Untreated lumber for raised beds.

Using any type of untreated lumber for building raised beds eliminates the chance of harmful chemicals leaching into the soil. Here is what we did. If your raised beds will be exposed to a lot of moisture wood like pine may only last a few years. Can i try to use one of these methods on raised beds that are already built and outside.

Wooden planters built out of untreated wood will probably last much longer than you think. Yes untreated wood will decompose over time but because it is untreated you reduce the risk of potential toxins moving from your wooden beds into that organic veggie garden you re starting to keep your family fed well. My current raised beds are made from 1 untreated pine and last approximately 10 years. The only thing to keep in mind.

These instructions describe building a 4 foot by 6 foot by 10 1 2 inch bed with 2 x 4 untreated lumber. Two compounds alkaline copper quat acq and copper azole ca b have now replaced cca wood in the residential market. A cedar frame can last up to 10 years but one made of douglas fir may last only 5 to 7 years. Over the years there has been a lot of talk about pressure treated lumber and its use in gardening and specifically for raised beds.

Both cedar and redwood add a beautiful look to your raised bed garden while also employing a natural. Rather than get into the never ending discussion of what. Wood options for raised garden boxes. Of the species used for untreated lumber douglas fir.

The size is up to you. The durability of untreated wood used for raised beds largely depends on the type of wood used. Wondering about your options in raised garden bed materials. In 2003 the epa banned the sale of lumber treated with chromated copper arsenate cca for residential use.

Untreated lumber isn t rot resistant but it s a good option for edibles. Even natural oils like boiled linseed oil blo contain inorganic additives. Should you finish untreated wood used for raised beds. For each bed you will need about 8 96 2 4 s some construction screws.

If you want to build these untreated pine raised garden beds yourself fear not. The wood is untreated and has only been outside for a week or two. Anonymous on april 16 2013. Each bed cost us less than 25 and about 20 minutes of work.

A redwood raised garden bed however can last up to 20 years. Wood borers like termites are also a possible concern. Like most things the more people talk about a particular topic the more the truth gets diluted and the myths and incorrect facts get shared as truths. How long untreated wood will last depends on many factors but it will certainly last longer if treated to resist moisture and damage from the sun.

When choosing wood be sure to use untreated wood. A bed that s at least 6 inches high provides ease of access and gives roots plenty of room to grow. Great materials to use for raised beds cedar or redwood.