Using treated pine for your raised garden beds
Posted on: 23 April 2015
When using treated pine for constructing raised garden beds, there are a few things to consider, particularly if you're planning to plant vegetables and fruits. Let's look at what you need to know when purchasing your treated pine:
What are the benefits of using treated pine in the garden?
As a timber that has been preserved using both fungicide and pesticide, treated pine is resistant to decay and deters pests, particularly termites. This makes it a perfect solution to a variety of applications in the garden, as it will have greater longevity in the elements than most other types of timber. Treated pine is also a light wood, making it easy to carry and work with.
What grade of treated pine is best for constructing raised garden beds?
Not all treated pines are created equal. Conventional CCA treated pine is treated with copper, chrome and arsenic and is best used for pergolas, fence posts, decking and retaining walls. CCA can also be effectively used for garden beds that are not planted with vegetables, fruits and herbs (edibles).
If you are planning to build a raised garden bed for edibles, however, ACQ treated pine is your best option. Similar in performance to the CCA treated pine, ACQ is a new grade of treated pine that does not contain arsenic. This makes it a safe alternative for your veggie garden, as there are no fears of chemicals being absorbed into your organic soil.
Where is the best place to buy my treated pine from?
As ACQ gains popularity, it is increasingly available to customers, and can even be purchased as a flat-pack raised garden bed kit. Not all hardware stores stock ACQ treated pine, so you may need to order it in. Alternatively, contact your local timber supplier for a variety of lengths and widths cut to size.
What are the best practices when using treated pine?
Always use gloves when using any treated pine to prevent splinters or residual preservatives making contact with your skin. Also, as treated pine has a coating to help it resist premature weathering, any cuts made in the wood must be resealed with the correct sealant to ensure it maintains it's anti-fungal properties. For a hassle-free solution, have your ACQ treated pine cut to size by your timber supplier or a local tree service—they can also reseal it for you. Just be sure to measure your space correctly and take the measurements along with you to your purchase.
For more information, contact a company like Australian Treated Pine.
Share