Gardeners...question for you

[pbwalker]

I know a few have gardens here, so I figured I would check with good folks here before trying the monstrosity that is GardenWeb.

My wife and I want to go the raised bed route. 3 boxes of 3'W x 10'L x 3H. I'm planning on using 1 x 6 planks of cedar, with 4x4 posts in 4 corners as well as in the middle (for added support). My concern is around the posts. I've been reading up on treated lumber and there seems to be several schools of thought. One says that you should never use it at all. Another is to use treated wood and just wrap it in 4mil plastic. Last one is saying treated is fine because they use copper now as opposed to arsenic.

This is my first foray in to gardening, so I want to make sure I'm not going with something that will leech toxins in to what we plant.

What do the green thumbs here use?

[mamabearCali]

We treated our own lumber with soy based treatment. 3rd year running and tey are holding up very well.

[pbwalker]

We treated our own lumber with soy based treatment. 3rd year running and tey are holding up very well.

Thanks mamabearCali! Did you just use raw pine posts and treat them with SoyGuard, or did you add SoyGuard on top of the treated 4x4? (Or did you not use 4x4's? I'm open to other suggestions as well!)

[mamabearCali]

We did not use 4x4's. 2ftx12foot planks with 6inch by 4 foot stabilizers. Our raised garden dimensions are 4 feet by 12 feet. ....can raise a bunch of produce in a small space!

[pbwalker]

Awesome! Thanks so much!

I just had a friend mention using two untreated 2x4's, joined together (if I am going the 4x4 route). Total "duh!" moment for me.

Gratzi!

[LSL]

I just used gray, concrete construction blocks. Eight inches deep, about 18 inches long. No worrys about bugs, arsenic, copper or soy. Openings are used for different herbs, and defined space for "crops." okra seeds sowed Sunday popped out today.

[Estand]

I tried to figure out the same thing as you a few months ago.i am a total newbie to gardening. I knew I wanted something that was minimal work and hopfully I could change when needed...as in add on or move it. I lucked out on a great deal on some cinder blocks. I found lots on craigslist btw. I'm about to add on another 4x4 section. I am glad I went this route because it will be easy to just extend or add onto what is there now.

Building:
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http://db.tt/9jpJH9c9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Today:
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[RPBrown]

I just used gray, concrete construction blocks. Eight inches deep, about 18 inches long. No worrys about bugs, arsenic, copper or soy. Openings are used for different herbs, and defined space for "crops." okra seeds sowed Sunday popped out today.

This is my choice as well. I have 5' x 12' beds with the cinder blocks as we call them and they have been in place for 12 years and still going. The up front cost is more than lumber but you will have to replace even trated lumber every 4-6 years. Do that 3 times and it pays for the blocks and then some.

[FishInTx]

I built a flower bed in the front of the house with landsacape timbers. I lined it with plastic to keep the dirt from filtering out. Hasn't killed any plants but it's starting to look a little weathered after 5 years. I might have to replace it soon.

[uthornsfan]

Anytime I have put wood in, on, or around the ground I cover it in 1 of 2 substances.

#1 for small areas like posts for a fence I will use epoxy resin

#2 for larger areas I just cover the portions wood resting on the ground or backing up to dirt with roofing cement. It water proofs but doesnt leach into the soil

[smoothoperator]

You can take seeds from Colombia and Mexico and plant them up the holler down Copperhead Road.

[The Annoyed Man]

My wife just showed me this page yesterday: http://www.curbly.com/users/mollymc/pos ... nter-ideas

It has some pretty creative planter ideas that would be relatively inexpensive to make. I particularly like the cinderblock ones.