japus wrote:

Here is what I did this fall in preperation to next springs planting
Using all 2" X12" X10ft treated lumber..(yes treated lumber) I will decide
what to do about this when I plant in the spring..
[....]

FYI

Pressure-treated lumber is wood that has been immersed in a liquid preservative and placed in a pressure chamber. The chamber forces
the chemical into the wood fibers. The pressurized approach makes sure that the chemical makes it to the core of each piece of wood
-- it is much more effective than simply soaking the wood in the chemical.

The most common chemical used to treat lumber used to be chromated copper arsenate, or CCA. In 2003, however, the Environmental
Protection Agency restricted the use of CCA in residential settings due to health and environmental concerns about arsenic leaching
out of the wood. The most widely used alternative to CCA is alkaline copper quat, or ACQ. Copper is toxic to various insects and
fungi that might cause decay. ACQ binds to wood fibers very well and allows wood to last decades even when it is in contact with the
ground.

The protection provided by the chemical depends on the amount of chemical that the wood absorbs. In the United States, the amount of
chemical is measured in pounds of chemical per cubic foot of wood. For ground contact, 0.40 pounds per cubic foot is needed. For
foundations, 0.60 pounds per cubic foot is the standard.

The chemicals in treated wood are generally not good for humans. This is why you see warnings advising you to wear gloves, avoid
breathing the sawdust, and refrain from burning treated wood. Keeping small children away from treated wood is also a good idea.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/question278.htm



arsenate - :a salt or ester of an arsenic acid
arsenic - :a trivalent and pentavalent solid poisonous element

Scott Hildenbrand wrote:
Just wondering what you all think of raised beds for vegetable gardens
as opposed to ground level gardens.
S

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input on this.. Since there is
some mixed feelings on raised beds I'm going to do a test next season
and make one long bed and then a few ground beds behind that and see
which works better.

Appreciate it greatly!

Scott--

On Nov 4, 4:26 pm, wrote:
On Nov 3, 8:44 pm, Scott Hildenbrand



wrote:
Just wondering what you all think of raised beds for vegetable gardens
as opposed to ground level gardens.

It's a good time of year to get all that planned out and in place so
looking for input.

My thought is that the raised beds will be easier to maintain and to
work in. My thought on that is more for the wifes sake since she has
back trouble that acts up from time to time.

I was thinking of just using treated 2x8s or so, standard toe nailed
framing with braces in the corners. Also thinking of stapling plastic
sheeting along the inside just to minimize the dirt to wood contact factor.

So, any thoughts on this, tips or tricks, etc?

Also make life easier where soil prep is concerned, no? That way I can
just dump in bags of good soil and compost as apposed to working with
the brick solid clay around here.

I agree with you totally. The beauty you can create in levels, is
stupendous. More and more people are turning to these kinds of
gardens, they are easier to maintain. Simplicity and use of logs or
cut lumber adds to the whole beauty and atmosphere of the yard.

I will be using brick and then over-cladding with sandstone tiles or
clumps to create a wonderfully natural setting. I want to install a
natural waterfall, archway, various raised beds etc., and clad them
all with sandstone. Drainage is very important as we have clay soil
here. Sometimes I wonder how people in the UK manage to grow anything
at all with their annual rainfall!