Comments on: What's the best kind of wood to use to make raised vegetable beds and where can I source it? http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it Gardening CareTips for the Backyard Gardener Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:41:59 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: John W http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it/comment-page-1#comment-20 John W Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:40:59 +0000 http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it#comment-20 I think, given the tone of your question, the last thing people should be suggesting is old railway sleepers! They are very likely to have all sorts of carcinogenic compounds leaching out of them, which clearly is of concern to you. New 'sleepers' will use much safer Tannalised preservatives look for "ACQ treated"<br><b>References : </b><br>http://www.railwaysleeper.com/ I think, given the tone of your question, the last thing people should be suggesting is old railway sleepers! They are very likely to have all sorts of carcinogenic compounds leaching out of them, which clearly is of concern to you. New 'sleepers' will use much safer Tannalised preservatives look for "ACQ treated"
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http://www.railwaysleeper.com/

]]> By: DinhaC http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it/comment-page-1#comment-19 DinhaC Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:05:59 +0000 http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it#comment-19 i sourced old railway sleepers from a reclamation salvage yard over 20 years ago and I'm still growing prize winning veggies and so far all members of my family are alive and kicking, any hardwood will do the job (don't forget to treat the timber if it's not been done)<br><b>References : </b><br> i sourced old railway sleepers from a reclamation salvage yard over 20 years ago and I'm still growing prize winning veggies and so far all members of my family are alive and kicking, any hardwood will do the job (don't forget to treat the timber if it's not been done)
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]]> By: Ghost of many users. http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it/comment-page-1#comment-18 Ghost of many users. Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:32:59 +0000 http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it#comment-18 Old railway sleepers are very good, also pine which my son(a landscape gardener) uses.<br><b>References : </b><br> Old railway sleepers are very good, also pine which my son(a landscape gardener) uses.
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]]> By: luanne t http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it/comment-page-1#comment-17 luanne t Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:12:59 +0000 http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it#comment-17 Western red cedar, specifically. It is native to the pacific northwest and therefore incredibly rot resistant. Other cedars are somewhat rot resistant as well, but western red is the best. It's more expensive, but will pay for itself. You'll probably have to go to a lumber yard, they won't have that in Home Depot unless you live in the Northwest.<br><b>References : </b><br> Western red cedar, specifically. It is native to the pacific northwest and therefore incredibly rot resistant. Other cedars are somewhat rot resistant as well, but western red is the best. It's more expensive, but will pay for itself. You'll probably have to go to a lumber yard, they won't have that in Home Depot unless you live in the Northwest.
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]]> By: booboo http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it/comment-page-1#comment-16 booboo Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:47:59 +0000 http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it#comment-16 The best wood to use is redwood. It lasts the longest. You can also use cedar or douglas fir but they will not last as long. But redwood is expensive so in the end you may save by making one or two cedar or fir beds by the time the redwood wears out? Not sure about it... My in-laws have redwood beds and they are going on 17 years now without any problems. The only thing they would do differently is make them 24" deep instead of 12" so it's easier on the back. There is so much confusion about whether or not to use treated wood (just do a quick google search and you will see pros and cons), so err on the side of caution and just use untreated wood. There are other materials you can use (cinder blocks, hay, etc) but you wanted the best wood and that is redwood. You can buy these at the home improvement store or local lumber yard. A board here was $25 in the spring, I think the size was 2" x 12" x 12'. Here is one way to construct one: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_design_raised_bed/article/0,1785,HGTV_3570_2608081,00.html There are also kits that you can buy, they come in various materials and shapes/sizes. Here is a sample of one: http://www.ipwoody.com/ Good luck.<br><b>References : </b><br> The best wood to use is redwood. It lasts the longest. You can also use cedar or douglas fir but they will not last as long. But redwood is expensive so in the end you may save by making one or two cedar or fir beds by the time the redwood wears out? Not sure about it… My in-laws have redwood beds and they are going on 17 years now without any problems. The only thing they would do differently is make them 24" deep instead of 12" so it's easier on the back.

There is so much confusion about whether or not to use treated wood (just do a quick google search and you will see pros and cons), so err on the side of caution and just use untreated wood.

There are other materials you can use (cinder blocks, hay, etc) but you wanted the best wood and that is redwood. You can buy these at the home improvement store or local lumber yard. A board here was $25 in the spring, I think the size was 2" x 12" x 12'.

Here is one way to construct one: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_design_raised_bed/article/0,1785,HGTV_3570_2608081,00.html

There are also kits that you can buy, they come in various materials and shapes/sizes. Here is a sample of one: http://www.ipwoody.com/

Good luck.
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]]> By: taxed till i die, http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it/comment-page-1#comment-15 taxed till i die, Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:57:59 +0000 http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it#comment-15 Second hand railway sleepers,http://www.jewsons,co.uk/<br><b>References : </b><br> Second hand railway sleepers,http://www.jewsons,co.uk/
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]]> By: KS http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it/comment-page-1#comment-14 KS Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:42:59 +0000 http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it#comment-14 We used pressure treated cedar from the lumber store, been gardening for years with no ill side affects.<br><b>References : </b><br> We used pressure treated cedar from the lumber store, been gardening for years with no ill side affects.
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]]> By: Ern T http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it/comment-page-1#comment-13 Ern T Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:03:59 +0000 http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it#comment-13 If it's heavy weight and you want it to last I go with Deafro, it has to be railway sleepers. I remember my grandad using them in the 50/60s and they're still in use now. They used to be easily obtained but I wouldn't know where to look for them now.<br><b>References : </b><br> If it's heavy weight and you want it to last I go with Deafro, it has to be railway sleepers. I remember my grandad using them in the 50/60s and they're still in use now. They used to be easily obtained but I wouldn't know where to look for them now.
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]]> By: earthbound http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it/comment-page-1#comment-12 earthbound Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:21:59 +0000 http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it#comment-12 cedar is the most rot resistant wood it doesnt need any treatment in fact it is important to use untreated wood . chemicals can be infused into the wood by the supplier ( look for a geenish cast or small dashes on the surface) and anything you apply will leach into your soil and contaminate your food. You should be able to find this at a building supply store . Another good option is straw bales there are too many benifits to mention as long as you have room.<br><b>References : </b><br> cedar is the most rot resistant wood it doesnt need any treatment in fact it is important to use untreated wood . chemicals can be infused into the wood by the supplier ( look for a geenish cast or small dashes on the surface) and anything you apply will leach into your soil and contaminate your food. You should be able to find this at a building supply store . Another good option is straw bales there are too many benifits to mention as long as you have room.
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]]> By: Deafro http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it/comment-page-1#comment-11 Deafro Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:46:59 +0000 http://www.gardeningcaretips.com/raised-vegetable/whats-the-best-kind-of-wood-to-use-to-make-raised-vegetable-beds-and-where-can-i-source-it#comment-11 The best wood to use is old railway sleepers. I hope you can locate some in your area. They are strong and already treated and will last a life time<br><b>References : </b><br> The best wood to use is old railway sleepers. I hope you can locate some in your area.
They are strong and already treated and will last a life time
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