Shopsmith Forums

Good day all
This weekend I need to blow out a project for my (TOWSIC). I've seen other acronyms but this one came to mind "the one who says I can".
I have chose to use pressure treated lumber for a tier garden in the back yard. A couple questions came to mind.

How long do you think that type of wood will last?

Is there any problems or hazards with what ever they treat the wood with and food?

Does that type of wood eat up a blade faster than regular wood?

Hope everyone has a nice Easter:)

This is what I got from a Google:

http://www.google.com/search?q=pressure ... =firefox-a

I used pressure treated wood for my garden sides about 15 years ago. They are 2x10's that are mostly below ground and I have only changed one since.

I had concerns about food safety but my son, the chemical engineer, informed me that drainage goes DOWN so there is no danger. I'm not sure he is right but we are still here and in good health all these years later.

I'm also not sure about a raised bed as this would give more exposure to the treated wood chemicals but then the inside could be lined with plastic to reduce exposure. If I had the money at the time I would have gone with cedar. Looks nicer and no question about safety.

Good luck

John

I did a raised bed with landscape timbers and after a few years they rotted out. Now I have this setup and have had it for 3 years with no problem. Not treated wood, but just another idea.



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Thankyou for the pic sir. Looks like the red barn would make a good workshop.........

mrhart wrote:Thankyou for the pic sir. Looks like the red barn would make a good workshop.........

IIRC, it already is!;)

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BEfore
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...And after. Pressure treated railroad ties (well, what's CALLED railroad ties). Used my japanese pull saw to cut half laps at the corners, and spiked the logs to the ground with re-bar. Several loads of topsoil and some Heather (Summer Heather in back, Winter Heather in front) and she's done. Wife is pleased. Lif3e is good... unti the next rpject, that is. Cheers,

Derek in Surrey, B.C. Just south of Vancouver; where the Canucks just sent the Blackhawks packing!

We call those 'landscape timbers'.

Nice dandelion garden also!:D

Interesting the timing is about a couple weeks behind our crop!;)

I did a lot of research on this subject over the years and some unscientific testing.They changed the treatment they used on the wood from something that was basically harmless unless you were into eating pressure treated 4x4s to a treatment(s) that we don't yet know much about. In any case I think that what ever you use to build your beds cost is going to be one of you primary driving factors. I use treated wood. Both land scape timbers and pressure treated 4x4s. I would prefer concrete block and plan to use that for replacements in the future.



Many more garden photos here:
http://tinyurl.com/3sozmpz

rlkeeney wrote:I did a lot of research on this subject over the years and some unscientific testing.They changed the treatment they used on the wood from something that was basically harmless unless you were into eating pressure treated 4x4s to a treatment(s) that we don't yet know much about. In any case I think that what ever you use to build your beds cost is going to be one of you primary driving factors. I use treated wood. Both land scape timbers and pressure treated 4x4s. I would prefer concrete block and plan to use that for replacements in the future.



Many more garden photos here:
http://tinyurl.com/3sozmpz

Nice garden...I was looking at your album...Do you use the plastic clips pictured to secure plastic over the beds? Are they made by cutting out a section of thin wall PVC pipe? I notice on one or two of the pictures that a garden hose is connected to the top of the frames...do you have misters installed? Being in FL do you use shade cloth at all? Sorry about the third degree...We are still 2 or three weeks away from planting our cold season crops and I can't wait.