Pressure treated lumber has been a controversial topic for many years.
Best wood for garden beds.
Because of this folks frequently ask us about the best type of wood to use for their planter boxes and raised garden beds.
These types of beds are great for several reasons including keeping your garden pathways clear of weeds as well as protecting your plants from some pests like slugs and snails.
When considering wood you could use whole logs or more commonly planks.
The best and worst materials for building raised garden beds.
Hence you can use redwood without having to treat it or apply any finish.
The purpose for chemical pressure treatment is to protect wood from rot decay and wood ingesting insects.
This wood makes perfect raised garden beds.
Hemlock fir and pine are suitable materials for raised beds but aren t very long lasting.
A raised bed planter can be a permanent fixture for perennial plants to settle in and mature.
The main reason is that redwood is naturally rot resistant.
Even with untreated wood raised beds can last three or more years before sections need replaced making it a great economical option for those looking for solutions with temporary cheap and easy raised beds while you slowly add more longstanding beds to your garden over.
Redwood has been known to last for up to 20 years.
Raised beds are garden containers commonly made from wood and the type of wood we use will determine how long lasting safe and sustainable they are.
If you are looking for designs i have free plans for building raised garden beds here.
It s also the most affordable option.
The con is that it s also expensive around 2 3 times the cost of cheaper wood.
Custom build your own garden box in any size or even add a few to your backyard oasis.
This raised bed has great curb appeal and is ideal for gardeners of all levels.
This raised garden bed has an outer frame built of wood with the center of the planter made from corrugated metal.
The best of the best is cedar since it s naturally rot resistant doesn t require chemical treatments looks great and will last for 10 20 years.
Raised beds are a great idea because they protect growing plants from the scuffs and kicks of passersby while allowing the soil to warm faster in the springtime generating an earlier crop.
Pressure treated lumber is an option.
Cedar another rot resistant wood cedar can last 10 15 years and looks gorgeous.
Douglas fir douglas fir can last 5 7 years and is the cheapest of the types of wood used for raised garden boxes.
The spruce autumn wood raised beds can be as humble or creative as you like.