Timber for raised beds

[Rforron]

Hi Folks, wonder if you can help me with this one. I recently visited my local B&Q Whorehouse and noticed that they had Decking boards for sale at a very reasonable price. My concern is, will the tanalising process and the chemicals used cause leeching into the ground and thereby damage my veggies?

[terrier]

Hi Rforron, welcome to the forum. The answer to your question is No, but if you are worried about chemicals leaching out, just line the inside of the frame with polythene sheets.
There's a lot of new property being built around your area and if you have suitable transport, it could well be worth your while to do a bit of scavenging around the building sites. When new houses are built, a huge amount of wood is skipped because of over ordering. The formen on the sites are usually only to happy to give it away to save themselves the problem of disposing of it. Well worth a try.

[kitchengardner]

Hi Folks, wonder if you can help me with this one. I recently visited my local B&Q Whorehouse and noticed that they had Decking boards for sale at a very reasonable price. My concern is, will the tanalising process and the chemicals used cause leeching into the ground and thereby damage my veggies?

This used to be a big problem but most modern wood treatments are fine. However if the wood has been stained (ie coloured) that can be more of a problem, but a simply lining with plastic (e.g. old compost bags cut open) will solve this.

Regards

Kitchen Gardener

[janeyo]

Hi we got our timber from a local scaffolder, they normally have damaged boards. Got all ours, enough to make 6 raised 8 foot by 3 foot beds for about £4 each board. Just had to cut them up at his yard to get them in the car. But he helped!

janeyo

[Snadger]

The building and gardening industry have become very enviromentally aware and the water based paints used these days don't 'leech' like the old creosoted timber used to.
Decking boards are about 5 inches wide aren't they?....................if this is high enough for your raised beds they would look very 'posh' I would imagine and should last for ages!
If they are cheap enough, go for it!

[Peter]

Hi Folks, wonder if you can help me with this one. I recently visited my local B&Q Whorehouse and noticed that they had Decking boards for sale at a very reasonable price. My concern is, will the tanalising process and the chemicals used cause leeching into the ground and thereby damage my veggies?

Bottom line is un-treated timber will not last in contact with soil.

BTW great strap line for a brothel "You can do it when you B&Q it".

[Snadger]

Bottom line is un-treated timber will not last in contact with soil.

BTW great strap line for a brothel "You can do it when you B&Q it".

Well spotted Peter!

[snakeshack]

health and safety insists that scaffolders replace their boards every 2 years.
ring round your local firms and find one,I paid £3.00 per 4 metre board