So, you want to do some raised bed gardening and make some wooden beds, but you are not sure which wood to use, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll provide all the information you need.
The bed foundation is key to creating a flourishing garden, and the type of wood you choose for your raised garden beds can make all the difference.
The selection of wood is not just a matter of aesthetics but also of durability, sustainability, and long-term success for your raised garden beds.
This article will explore the key considerations for choosing the best wood for your garden beds, helping you create a flourishing and enduring garden space.
It is no surprise that wood will break down and rot over time; therefore, careful wood selection is key to long-lasting raised garden beds. Wood rot happens from soil fungi that thrive in damp conditions and insects.
Over a period of time, the fungus gradually expands, resulting in the gradual weakening and deterioration of the wood.
Not all wood types are created equal, and factors like durability, resistance to decay, and sustainability should be considered.
The wrong choice of wood can lead to a shorter lifespan for your garden beds, higher maintenance, and potential replacement costs.
On the other hand, making a thoughtful wood selection can lead to a garden that thrives for years, saving you time, effort, and resources.
Important Things to Think About When Selecting Lumber for Your Raised Garden Beds:
Here are the important considerations for selecting lumber for your raised garden bed broken down into bullet points:
Wood Type: Choose decay-resistant wood like cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated pine for ground contact for longevity.
Sustainability: Opt for wood sourced from sustainable forests to reduce your environmental impact.
Size and Dimensions: Carefully plan and measure to ensure your garden bed suits your space and gardening needs.
Budget: Be mindful of your budget; different wood types come with varying prices.
Balancing these factors will guide you in making a well-informed decision when selecting lumber for your raised garden bed, ensuring a successful and enduring gardening experience.
Tips for Finding Affordable Wood for Your Projects:
You can acquire wood for a lower cost by considering the following strategies:
- Go to a local sawyer: A sawyer is a job title for a person who cuts wood, usually using a pitsaw in a hole in the ground or with the log on stands above the ground. They might also work at a sawmill. Using a local sawmill service is cheaper, and you know what you are getting. Click here to find a local sawyer in your area: https://woodmizer.com/us/Find-a-Local-Sawyer
- Buy in Bulk: Purchasing a larger quantity of wood can often lead to discounts or reduced per-unit costs.
- Opt for Local Wood: Local wood sources can be more affordable because they don’t incur long-distance transportation costs
- Look for Sales and Deals: Keep an eye on sales, discounts, and seasonal promotions at lumberyards or home improvement stores.
- Consider Alternative Wood Types: Explore less expensive wood species that still meet your project’s requirements.
- Explore Online Marketplaces: Check online marketplaces and classified ads for discounted wood from individuals or businesses.
- Utilize Lumber Auctions: Some areas have lumber auctions where you can find wood at competitive prices.
- Negotiate Pricing: Don’t hesitate to negotiate prices, especially when buying in larger quantities.
Remember to balance cost savings with the quality and durability of the wood, ensuring it meets your project’s requirements.
What Wood is Best For Raised Garden Beds?
In general, wood is a really great option for raised garden beds. Wood decay affects more species of wood than others.
Almost any kind of wood can work for raised garden beds, the key is deciding how long you want your garden beds to last.
Here is a list of the top species of wood most suitable for raised garden beds.
- Redwood: Redwood stands out as one of the finest wood choices due to its remarkable resistance to rot and protection against insect invasions. It’s a favored material for constructing outdoor children’s playsets. On the downside, it comes at a high cost. Nevertheless, raised garden beds crafted from redwood have the potential to endure for more than 30 years. It’s worth noting that redwood is not commonly available in most local home centers, so you might need to place a special order to obtain this exceptional wood for your project.
- Eastern Red Cedar (Juniper): high-quality wood that can fend off decay and fend off insects. This wood is anticipated to have a lifespan of roughly 20 to 30 years when placed in the ground. If you’re working with this type of wood, try to utilize as much of the inner heartwood as possible, which is the central, sturdy part of the tree. The outer layer of the tree, known as sapwood, isn’t as long-lasting.
- Western Red Cedar (Cypress): high-quality wood that can fend off decay and fend off insects. This wood is anticipated to have a lifespan of roughly 20 to 30 years when placed in the ground. If you’re working with this type of wood, try to utilize as much of the inner heartwood as possible, which is the central, sturdy part of the tree. The outer layer of the tree, known as sapwood, isn’t as long-lasting.
- Cypress: This wood is tough, so it doesn’t easily get damaged by rot or pests. Plus, it’s not too expensive, which makes it a great choice for raised garden beds. It’s a solid option, kind of like cedar, but better than pine and Douglas fir.
- Douglas fir: This wood is not commercially available but can be found in the Northeast US. Douglas fir is a tree that thrives in the chilly, rainy areas of the Pacific Northwest. It’s good for raised garden beds because it naturally fights off rot and bugs. Even when the weather gets tough, it stays strong and doesn’t fall apart, so it’s a great choice for garden beds.
- Eastern Hemlock: Generally, only available in the northeast. We discovered it’s cheaper than cedar or fir and can stay in the ground for about seven years. It has been noted that this particular type of wood is highly favored for raised garden beds.
- Black Locust: Very durable. Not commercially available but can be available through a local sawyer. This wood is grown in the South and Midwest.
- Pine planters: pine planters without any treatment will last 2-3 years
Wood Types to Avoid for Raised Garden Beds:
When constructing garden beds, it’s generally best to avoid using woods that are prone to rot, insect damage, or contain harmful chemicals. Here are some woods to steer clear of:
- Railroad ties: This type of wood is not hard to find, but it is treated with creosote, which is extremely toxic to humans. You do not want it near a place that will come in contact with plants you are trying to grow or vegetables you plan on eating.
- Old Pallets: Pallets seem like an attractive option because they are free. Keep in mind that they might have been exposed to chemicals. You wouldn’t want your plants or the vegetables you intend to eat to be affected by anything harmful that might have been on the pallets.
- Treated Wood with Toxic Chemicals: Avoid using wood that has been treated with harmful chemicals, as they can leach into the soil and affect your plants. Do your research and find out what chemicals are used with treated wood. Avoid using older types of wood treatments such as CCA, creosote, and Penta-treated lumber. Various pressure-treated lumber are available today and infused with chemical preservatives that are safe for horticulture.
What is Pressure Treated Wood?
Pressure-treated lumber has been infused with chemical preservatives. As a result, it can withstand environmental elements such as water damage, moisture, soil fungi, and pests more effectively and maintain its structural integrity in conditions where untreated wood would succumb to rot. Pressure-treated wood can last 40 years.
Is it Safe to use Pressure-Treated Wood for Raised Garden Beds?
Pressure-treated wood, usually made from pine, is treated with chemicals to make it more resistant to rot and damage from water. You might get worried when you hear about chemicals being used, and your concerns would have been valid 20 years ago. Back then, wood was treated with a chemical called Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA), but it was banned in 2003.
These days, most pressure-treated wood gets treated with something called alkaline copper quaternary. It is water-based and not considered an environmental or health concern. So, the answer is YES. You can use pressure-treated wood for your raised garden beds, which can last 20-40 years.
Key Points about Pressure-Treated Wood:
- Pressure-treated wood is typically softwood lumber, such as southern yellow pine.
- It undergoes chemical treatment to resist rot, decay, and termites.
- All treated wood is now categorized as “ground contact.”
- “Ground contact” wood has a high chemical retention level and can be placed directly on or in the ground.
- The American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) mandates that treated lumber for gardening should meet the “Ground Contact” standard. According to the AWPA Book of Standards, preservatives like copper azole (CA) and alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) are recommended for Ground Contact use in residential applications.
How Thick Should the Wood Be for a Raised Garden Bed?
The thicker the better, the thicker the wood is, the longer it will last.
The thickness of the wood for your raised garden beds can vary depending on your specific needs and the type of wood you’re using. In general, here are some common thickness recommendations:
- 1 inch (2.54 cm): Thin boards can work for smaller, shorter-term garden beds, especially if you plan to reinforce them with corner brackets or stakes.
- 5 inches (3.81 cm): A slightly thicker wood can provide more stability for medium-sized garden beds.
- 2 inches (5.08 cm): This thickness is suitable for larger and deeper garden beds or if you want extra durability. It’s also commonly used for timber garden bed construction.
- 5 inches (6.35 cm) or more: For very large and deep garden beds, or if you want to ensure your beds last a long time, thicker wood is advisable.
Keep in mind that the wood’s thickness should also consider the bed’s dimensions, the weight of the soil, and any additional support or bracing you plan to use. Thicker wood generally provides greater strength and longevity but may also be heavier and more expensive.
The wood you choose will depend on your situation, budget, climate, and what woods are available in your area.
Sharing My Raised Garden Bed Project Journey:
My mom and I chose pressure-treated pine from Home Depot for our raised garden beds, designed for ground contact. We are using Oldcastle planter wall blocks, and these blocks are specifically designed to work best with 2-inch stock lumber. We decided to use at least four lengths of 2-by-6 lumber to achieve a perfect fit.
Here is the list of the lumber and supplies we used:
- (2 x 6 boards) cut into 4 ft x 12 ft sections
- Oldcastle planter wall blocks
I’m excited to invite you into my journey of creating raised garden beds. As I dove into this project, I considered various factors like wood selection, weather conditions, and the right supplies to make it all come together seamlessly.
Now, as I share my experience, tips, and the supplies I’ve used, I hope you find inspiration for your own gardening projects.
Together, we’ll explore the world of raised garden beds and create beautiful, functional spaces for nurturing plants and enjoying the joys of gardening. So, let’s embark on this journey together and cultivate our green thumbs!”