Using treated wood in garden beds...

Bob Graham
by Bob Graham
Is it advisable to use treated 8x8's I have laying around to build an herb/vegetable garden?
  11 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jul 13, 2016
    How old is the wood?
  • Irene Irene on Jul 13, 2016
    I have heard that treated 8x8's are not good for plants. They can leach chemicals that are toxic to plants. It might be worth finding that out from a greenhouse or plant nursery....or google it.
  • Jean Moore Jean Moore on Jul 13, 2016
    I don't think I would use those. Ask you local nursery what to do to minimize the chemical leaching that might occur.
  • Cherree Weeks Cherree Weeks on Jul 13, 2016
    Just use cedar wood. That is what I have used and it works great!
  • William William on Jul 13, 2016
    Prior to 2003, pressure treated wood used a copper chromium arsenic compound and was harmful in every way. Decks, raised beds etc, would leach/transfer the chemical to plants and people. After 2003 pressure treated wood has a copper chromium ammonium compound. The ammonium compound makes transfer and absorption of the chemical almost impossible. You can use newer treated wood for raised beds without any problem and little concern.
  • Jean Myles Jean Myles on Jul 13, 2016
    If you do not know how long the 8X8's have been lying around then I suggest you find some other lumber.
  • Marie Marie on Jul 13, 2016
    NO - do not use treated lumber for a garden. Try cedar
  • Cathy Cathy on Jul 14, 2016
    Yes you can, just make sure you line them with heavy landscape fabric.
  • Bob Graham Bob Graham on Jul 14, 2016
    Thank You to all for your input. The timbers are not too old and I think I will use them to build a tiered herb garden off my deck and then use containers within the frame in which to plant. Thanks again!
  • Bob Graham Bob Graham on Jul 14, 2016
    Thank You for all the input. I am going to build a tiered herb garden and then use containers for the plants. I have been thinking about this for a while. I will try to post a picture in a month or so when it is done. Thanks again! Happy gardening.
  • Sophia,M.,McConnery Sophia,M.,McConnery on Jul 14, 2016
    If you think they may have some contaminant just sand down,seal,and also line with thick plastic!