Do not use pressure-treated
lumber for building a raised bed.
Don't use it for building
children's playsets. Don't use wood chips from chemically treated
lumber as mulch or as cushioning in children's play areas. The pesticides
and preservatives in the wood are very strong and can be absorbed
through the skin and by ingesting plants that have absorbed the
chemicals. Keep it out of the garden and out of direct contact with
humans - especially little ones!
Untreated wood will degrade
over time but it could be up to ten years before you would need to
replace it. At two years old, the untreated redwood boards surrounding
our beds have weathered nicely and are quite sound. Make sure to ask
when you're shopping for lumber.
Links to more information about treated lumber
The good news? You can avoid all the controversy and any possible
hazard by just using something else. Why not?
Text
and images Copyright 1998 Cyndi Kirkpatrick. All rights reserved
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