Raised Bed Vegetable Gardens

**Beautiful Disaster** · 02-24-2011 07:59 PM

Going to be building one rather soon, a 10 (or 8) x 16 one for planting veggies. I'm super excited about this, but am totally at a loss for what to use.

Cedar is super expensive. I'm on a budget. A tight one.

Treated lumber is controversial for veggie gardens because of the Copper that treated lumber contains and the fact that it "may" leach out into the soil. Studies show the levels, if any are insignificant (or at least from what I've heard) but.....should I bother growing my own veggies if I'm not going to be super safe about it? I can get the sizes I need in treated lumber, and the cost is affordable.

Untreated lumber I'm told won't last me anytime. And if I go untreated I can't get 4X4's or 6X6's which is what I wanted.

Any input????

What to do?

**ItsASecret** · 02-24-2011 08:21 PM

Are you building a big box, with a wood base, and just placing top soil into it for the veggies? Or is it going to just be on top of regular ground soil then build up some small walls and filled again with top soil? The reason I ask is if you leave the bottom open to regular ground soil no matter what you will get the already present chemicals in that soil leaching into your 'good' top soil. Your neighborhood will be laden with those chemicals, though low levels oftentimes, but they are still present. As for the lumber treated wood prevents it from rotting which is a good thing. My mom built a big box for her carrots and those are just regular treated fence posts. She has not had any issues.

**WildChild** · 02-24-2011 08:57 PM

Ummm that treated wood may be far more dangerous than you have been lead to believe. Many places that sell it do not provide the required information about handling and use. The first product they had leached arsenic in the soil and created a serious contamination problem. Some people who were exposed or worked with it, died. The new stuff doesn't use arsenic but copper and is corrosive to most metals.

Personally I wouldn't use it.
Here are some exerpts from an article about it.

By JAMES AND MORRIS CAREY

The Associated Press

" The pesticide
that is most commonly used for pressure
treating is Chromated Copper Arsenate (CAA) -
a compound that contains arsenic (rat poison).
Keep in mind, there are several degrees of
toxicity (and danger) associated with the various
types of pressure-treated lumber."

"Pressuretreated
lumber that can be used in water
contains the greatest amount of pesticide and
should not be used around the home. A second
level of chemical strength
qualifies the wood to be used in contact with
earth (fence posts, retaining walls, etc.). This
material could prove to be dangerous if used for
decking or patio furniture. A third type of
pressure-treated material is not meant to be used
in contact with earth and most often is used for
decks and furniture. Yes, even rat poison can be
walked on if it is diluted enough."

" look for the "treatment
retention level" stamp somewhere on the board
you are buying. A retention level of up to 0.25
is safe for decking and furniture. Pressuretreated
wood that has a retention level higher
than 0.25 should not be used in places where it
will come into direct contact with your bare
skin. "

"Don't use pressure-treated lumber to make
food containers for animals, cabinets for people
or cutting boards."

"When handling pressure-treated wood, treat
it as wood that contains a chemical that is not
safe to ingest. When cutting, planing, grinding
or chiseling it, be sure to wear a breathing mask.
Also, it is a smart idea to wear eye protection."

"The Environmental Protection Agency tells
us that clothing worn while working around
pressure-treated wood should be washed
separately. Wood scraps should be discarded in
the trash and not burned."

"On the House," AP Newsfeatures,

**Beautiful Disaster** · 02-25-2011 06:46 AM

ItsASecret - I'd just be building the walls and adding my own soil, approximately 1 foot thick. I understand what you're saying about ground chemicals....but I just don't know what I can do about it? Ya know?

WC - Thanks for the article. I've read so many conflicting things at this point. I even read some studies where people sent off samples of soil exposed to treated lumber, etc. Some say not a big worry, some say big worry. Some say cover them with thick plastic, some say "thick plastic has chemicals". *grumble*

Cedar is ideal but it's so high priced I cannot afford it. At the same time, I don't want to build something that is going to be an eyesore and if I use untreated, then will I have yucky rotten boards after just a few years?

**WildChild** · 02-25-2011 09:12 AM

Inconsistancies in testing may be accounted for by the different "retention" levels. In other words there are different grades of those product, some more toxic than others. Why take the chance?

Just build it with regular lumber, it will take many years to rot and by that time you may have different ideas about what you want or can afford. Check out Rodel Press' magazine "Organic Gardening" or "Mother Earth News" you will find all kinds of info on various ways of creating raised beds safely and economically. You night also join your local "Yahoo Freecycle" and start watching Craigslist free listings for materials you could use. You might find enough rock or brick to do your project, esspecially if you are planning to build a bed or two at a time.

**Beautiful Disaster** · 02-28-2011 02:07 PM

Thanks WC and It'sASecret. If we ever stop getting all this rain and storming, perhaps I can get started on my beds. I got my seeds started yesterday indoors. I'm excited!

**bec** · 03-19-2011 06:16 PM

you could always use hollow concrete builing blocks, or some of the more decorative ones from garden centers if the surface is faily level. If you just put them down yourself wothout concrete you can always make garden bed bigger or smaller later on by adding/removing some blocks.

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