Would linseed oil work?

MeMo

That's what I was thinking too... There are "VOC Free" paints as well.

You might find some more info on this in the square foot gardening forum, but from what I've read its not worth the trouble to treat the wood. Either way it starts to rot in a couple years, but with 2 inch lumber, you'll get several years from it before the boards need to be replaced.

Here is a link that might be useful: Square Foot Gardening Forum

Great, thanks for the info!

Here is a company that I found online with a link to a product that might work.

Anyone know of this company?

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.bioshieldpaint.com

When I built my raised beds, I used a product called 'Lifetime Wood Treatment' and am very happy with the results. The 2x10 pine boards are starting their 5th year now, and are practically in the same condition as when I first placed them in the garden. The wood changes color to a silvery patina, which looks very nice.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lifetime Wood Treatment

I don't know about treating it, but when you build new beds use Oasge Oragne or any of the locust family of trees.

We have locust post's here on the farm that have been in the ground 80+ years and are still solid.

I built a couple of my raised beds out of cedar but as you said the price is crazy. The rest of my raised beds are regular untreated wood. No plastic liner, no oils, no nothing.

When they get too rotten I'll have to build new ones. Hopefully they'll last at least 5 years. After 1 year, they still look great.

ant

Here is a link that might be useful: Picture of my raised beds

I just use pressure treated 2x12s, the old myth about chemicals leaching into the soil? just that. All of my peppers are fine, tomatoes, basil..etc..eaten em in years past, no probs, the wood still looks good, thompsons water seal during the winter one time, looks good, way cheaper than cedar, plus the sealer comes in a variety of colors. have fun with it!

Here's a picture of my raised bed.

Bob

{{gwi:41841}}

Yeah I know it's a little silly. The kids have outgrew this pool, and we like to recycle. I figured with this we don't need a fence to keep the bunnies out.

Bob

{{gwi:41842}}

Bob, that's the greatest thing I've ever seen. :)

ant

He He.....that is quite....creative.

I can see a Jeff Foxworthy joke somewhere.

:-)

Bob, um...ahh, lets see...are you going to fish your vegys out of there?....or just walk on in and mash that soil down. please give us your harvesting methods, thanks

As you might guess, this is our first year, so I'll have to let you know how harvest goes.

Bob

You can harvest with a skimmer net of course. I'd go light on the shock treatments this year though.
:)

ant

I have been wondering about that product called LifeTime Wood Treatment to treat the boards of a raised bed. What I am wondering is would it help preserve the boards on the inside edge(i.e. the soil edge)?? Because I have a high clay content in my garden and the soil is moist for much of the year. I want to build some raised beds that last, but not have to utilize something as ugly as cinderblocks to obtain durability. Has anyone any experience with this product in direct contact with the soil? Does it help stave off rot?? Thanks, J

You've already done the right thing. The plastic liner on the inside will keep the wood dry and that's all you really need in your climate. Don't waste your money on wood treatments designed to keep people's decks looking nice.

If you have the money, recycled plastic would be the best one time investment.

{{gwi:41843}}{{gwi:41844}}{{gwi:41845}}{{gwi:41847}}

eco wood treatment works better than the other product , we bought some at home depot , its great for raised beds

Yes , we used the same product as andy , we bought ours at sherwin williams called Eco Wood Treatment.it was recomended by our garden club, its a non toxic wood preservative that is safe for gardens and veggies,

yes eco wood treatment is our favorite!!

I'm confused. Are Lifetime Wood Treatment and Eco Wood Treatment the same thing???

When I look at the websites it almost seems that way. They claim that their stuff is used for the same kind of things:

Nova Scotia Natural Resources for picnic tables
City of Calgary for treating sound barrier fencing
British Columbia Ministry of Transportation for highway and municipal sign usage
Parks Canada in several national parks
Commercial and residential builders in Canada and the U.S.

http://www.valhalco.com/questions.htm
https://ricochet.heritagewebdesign.com/~bruce16/faq.html

And it's described in a similar manner. Any insights?

from what I can see the eco wood treatment product does not have the plant particles in it,whatever that is? eco wood treatment is also sold at home depot, lowes,that must be the best one I would assume

Eco Wood Treatment , made by Intl Eco Wood Treatment Ltd and lifetime wood treatment, made by Valhalla wood preservatives are two different companies.

THERE IS CONNECTION !!!

I built mine from 5/8" - 6" by 6' cedar. I stacked two boards. I figure for a 3' by 6' bed that is fine. Plus, the price (@ about $2.50 per board) is very reasonable. Not counting labor, each bed costs about $18. Not bad.

Please HELP!
My husband and I are at a difference of opinions about preserving the wood for our vegetable garden raised beds. He has already painted part of the beds with a white paint to preserve them. I would've rathered him not do this. My belief is that the chemicals will leach in to the soil then in to the veggies. Can this be remedied? I was thinking that maybe we can then either cover the painted part with garden sheeting plastic or apply a more non-toxic preservative over the painted part of the raised beds. Can someone please give me your opinion? He's moving faster than I can type!