How to build non-toxic raised veggie patch?

GracieGurl

I want to build some raised veggie beds, with non-treated wood. What kind should I use, and what do I look for at Bunnings? It's hard to find someone to help in the timber sections sometimes and I'm a bit intimidated, so I'd like to know what I'm looking for when I go in there. I am planning to use hot-dip galvanised channel posts in the construction of the beds. Thanks

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @GracieGurl. It's wonderful to have you join us and many thanks for your question on sleepers.

You might like to start by reading through this helpful article: How to choose sleepers for a garden bed. It discusses the available timber treatments and the non-timber alternatives.

Essentially, you'd either need to find non-treated hardwood sleepers or you would need to use treated Pine sleepers. Un-treated Pine is not an option as it would rot out very quickly. The great news is that most treatments for sleepers are not toxic in food gardens. You only need to avoid using CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenate) treated Pine sleepers. ACQ or MicroPro are safer alternatives and not considered toxic. If you wish to prevent all chemical contact with the soil, you can line the bed with Builder's Plastic.

You just need to confirm with the team member in the timber yard what the treatment is on the sleepers and let them know that you do not want CCA-treated. If the only option is CCA-treated, you can still use them, but you'd need to line the bed with plastic.

If you can let me know your local Bunnings store, I can contact them for you to verify what options are available.

Here's a helpful step-by-step guide on How to build a raised garden bed for privacy. Also, you might like to check out these 10 ways to build a raised garden bed for inspiration.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell