Raised beds, Cedar or untreated

Many people wonder about the safety of using pressure treated wood raised garden beds to grow vegetables or fruits. A study conducted by University of Minnesota found that vegetable crops grown in CCA-framed garden beds can accumulate arsenic from treated wood, but based on U.S. Public Health Standards, these vegetables would be safe for human consumption. To be on the safe side, you can line garden beds made of CCA-treated wood with plastic sheeting on the base and sides of the bed to separate the wood from the soil. For more information, see:

Leevalley.com sells a system that incorporates paving blocks, were I to build a raised bed today that's what I'd use.

It depends very much on the type of timber and to a lesser degree your soil and climate. Some like radiata pine would be lucky to last 2 years untreated unless you live in a desert. OTOH some timbers are used for fenceposts (or wharf pylons) and are expected to last 40 years. Around here such are varieties of eucalyptus which are probably not available where you are but there may be local timbers that will do the job. There is a grading system for timber properties which includes durability in contact with the soil, talk to your timber merchant about it.

David

Charlie

What about composite decking boards?

Enjoy Life... Dan

I think they would be great for raised beds.

Charlie

Just need to put the posts a little closer together bscause they bend easily.

You didn't read it carefully. The fasteners are what they sell. Early in the description they say something like "Lumber and paving blocks not included." You buy those locally.

gloria p

Bim-batta-boom.