I am about to begin building a raised bed for growing vegetables similar to the one pictured. I would like to build it out of wood that is treated with ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary), which is commonly available at building supply stores. I have read the MSDS for this product, but it does not mention the case of potential leaching of the chemical by rainwater into the soil and possible absorption into vegetable plant roots. Is there advice available here about this subject?
I don't know about how safe or unsafe treated wood is, but we use untreated cedar for raised beds. It doesn't cost alot more and doesn't warp like treated pine. I've seen 4x4 treated posts you could use as a spare tire in a pinch, they were warped so bad.
We are using ACQ-treated 4x4s as a foundation for our greenhouse, and supposedly they don't have the toxicity issues of the older type of treated lumber. We needed to put cedar 2x4's as an overlay because copper would react with the aluminum greenhouse frame, and those were $30 each for 10-footers!
I had the same worries when I built my vegetable bed two weeks ago. I couldn't get a definite answer, so I used untreated wood. I used linseed oil to protect the wood...
Elsa
Elsa, what can you plant in South Africa this time of year, as I would assume your fall season is starting?
ImaTulsaDawg, yes we are at the start of Autumn... I sowed broad beans, peas, lettuce, onions, carrots, swiss chard, mustard greens and chinese cabbage.
As a rule I don't grow cabbage (we get black fly quite early on in the season) but I'm going to give the Chinese Cabbage a try. We can also grow broccoli, Brussel sprouts, chives, garlic.... can't think of anything else. I hardly ever get frost where I stay (don't know how this Winter is going to be as our Summer was cooler than usual). Two years ago I had some green peppers that over wintered without any trouble, as did the Scarlet Runner Bean plants.
I assume it is a whole different story in Okmulgee. What are you planning on growing this Summer?
Elsa
Elsa, we grow just about everything under the sun, because we sell at farmers' markets in the local area. You can visit our blog to see details, as it would be easier than listing everything out here. It's www.thehaywire.typepad.com If you can overwinter peppers then I'd say you don't have too much of a winter. Lucky you!
Thanks, will have a look...
This site has some info about the pressure treated wood.
http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6985
I personally would not use treated wood in a veggie area. We took out the treated wood that former owners had put in their veggie garden. We also took out railroad ties in another area where veggies and animals hang out. Had no problem getting rid of the rr ties - posted them on craig's list and got a ton of replies.
We used to use railroad ties and creosote indiscriminately - long before people were aware of how toxic that stuff could be. We don't anymore of course. On another thread, though, people are talking about raising potatoes in tires, setting a new tire on top of the first one and continuing as the plant grows taller. I would think there would be some real issues with the use of old tires, too.
I agree - have always wondered about the whole potato/tire thing.
At first I was thinking of growing my veggies in tyres, but had the same concerns. Nobody was able to give me an answer on the possibility of chemicals being released from the tyres, so I decided on wooden raised beds...
You could try growing taters in a galvanized garbage can.
I also saw them being grown in hessian bags.
I grow mine in 30-gal rubbermaid trash cans.
I have used ties in my garden, most are in excess of 40 years old, I'm pretty confidant they are done bleeding creosote into the soil as they are slowly breaking down. I do use newer one in landscaping where food is not involved.
I grow my taters in plastic 55 gallon drums that I cut in half and drill holes in the bottom for drainage. I have a local source where I get them foe $10 a piece making my containers $5 each. I try to make sure they were not used for any volatile chemicals, and scrub them well before I use them. Ric
Hey, thanks for this thread! This is just what I was looking for. I'm hoping to start some new raised veggie beds asap. Was wondering what to use for them. Looks like I'll be using ACQ wood...if I can find it for sale locally.
I looked up an article on it, and apparently, it's just what we all are looking for. Check it out....the info you're looking for is at the bottom of the page...the rest of the info is all about regular pressure treated wood (and we all know why we shouldn't use that stuff!) http://www.finegardening.com/design/articles/pressure-treated-wood-in-beds.aspx
Thanks again,
Heather
Heather, that's a good article. Thanks for posting the link!
