I would like to build raised garden beds for my vegetables but someone told me I shouldn’t use pressure-treated lumber. Is that true?
Pressure-treated lumber contains toxic substances that can leach into the soil and cause harm to plants and humans. For this reason, it should never be used near areas where you grow vegetables, herbs, fruits or anything else you might want to ingest. You should also never build compost bins out of pressure-treated lumber or put sawdust from it into your pile. The same goes for old railway ties and telephone poles, which contain creosote, a toxic substance that you definitely don't want coming into contact with anything you're planning to ingest.
It’s best to construct your raised vegetable garden beds out of untreated wood. Redwood and cedar can last ten years or more before degrading to the point where they require replacing. If you’re looking for something a little more permanent - and less expensive - you may want to consider building your boxes out of stone or concrete (or both).
If you have any questions or comments, please send them to me at vanessa@gardenmuse.ca.
