I had a neighbor who was taking out a 30-year-old deck and gave me all the wood. I was planning on using it to make some massive garden beds for my wife, but I'm concerned the wood is going to be a problem. I'm pretty sure it's pressure treated, and from 30 years ago I'm pretty sure the stuff they used on the wood was pretty toxic.
by -Tisbury-
4 Comments
Maybe. Maybe not. I wouldn’t risk it.
Yeah, newer pressure treated wood is done differently. But the old stuff did have chemicals you don’t want in your edible food. Be fine for a flower garden but I wouldn’t risk it.
When I build garden beds with wood, I line the inside with thick black plastic before adding dirt. I do this to help the wood last longer. You might consider doing this to create a barrier between the wood and the soil. But if you’re even a little concerned about chemicals, go with your gut.
That CCA on the tag means it’s been treated with Cromated Copper Arsenate.
Arsenate is a form of arsenic. Do not use.