What kind of wood should I use to build flower boxes, raised beds?

Karen Fiedler
by Karen Fiedler
I want to build some window boxes and raised beds but I'm not sure about what kind of wood to use and if it's safe to paint them or seal the wood in some way. I don't want to hurt the plants by using a stain that leeches into the soil.
  4 answers
  • Shoshana Shoshana on May 23, 2017

    Cedar is a good wood. It is a lightweight, durable wood that resists cracking. Western Red Cedar is ideal as a planter wood, because it is thermal coefficient, meaning that even on hot days, it is cool, which is good for plant roots. Cedar is also naturally bacterial and fungal resistant and contains natural oils that preserve the wood even in humid climates. Cedar planters require little maintenance. A coat of sealant or stain will preserve the color, but if left bare, cedar planters typically weather to an attractive silvery grey patina.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on May 23, 2017

    www.hometalk.com/diy/-12278119 www.homealk.com/1422064/how-to-make-a-wood-planter-box

  • Mary Russell Mary Russell on May 24, 2017

    cypress,red cedar,both really good,but the absolute best in my opinion,if you can get it,is yellow locust.I have yellow locust fence posts on my farm that are probably more than 50 years old,I still have trouble driving a fencing staple into them.

  • Sylvia Candler Sylvia Candler on May 27, 2017

    Redwood is very hardy and holds up well as planters. I still have a few planters that my mom bought in CA in the 80's are they are still in good shape.