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What type of timber for a garden bed?

Hi , I want to build garden bed but I don’t know what kind of wood or timber I should use . I looking for wood or timber that has chemical free and last long in outdoor ?!!! What’s post should I use on edge of bed ???
please help !!!!!!
thanks

Community manager's note: Check out How to choose the right timber for the job for expert advice.

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Comments

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @yana. It's fantastic to have you join us and many thanks for your question.

You might like to start by reading How to build a simple raised garden bed or for something a little more advanced How to build a raised garden bed by @Adam_W. Adam goes into detail about what materials to use and how to assemble the garden beds. I trust you'll find both articles very useful.

You'll need timber suitable for in-ground use which is typically H4 treated pine. It appears you are looking for an alternative to traditional CCA treated timber, the Micropro Sienna sleeper range would be a suitable option. There are limited options when it comes to posts with a non-CCA treatment. I would suggest you either use the Whites Retain-iT system or sleepers for the posts as well. Both of these methods are described in Adam's articles.

You might also be interested in viewing some of these fantastic projects-

Merbau garden bed by @diy_hausdesigns

Raised garden beds by @TheSaltyreefer

Elevated garden bed in Jarrah by @Rustikman

Raised garden bed by @moshiach77

Please let me know if you need further assistance or had any questions.

Mitchell

TheSaltyreefer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/10135#Comment_10135

Microshades are awesome, no need for any lining just screw them together and away you go, hardwood is fine also 🙂
hardwood posts easy as, and or use gal brackets to keep them together

Adam_W

Hi @yana
As has been said Microshades sleepers are excellent and considered 'safe'. That's what I use in al of our food garden beds here at home.
Hardwood, if you can find it untreated, is also excellent but harder to cut & lift etc. Be aware that a lot of hardwood is CCA treated so look carefully at product details. Some peopel will suggest recycled railway sleepers. I would advise against that. Apart from being crazy-hard to work with they can be heavily impregnated with all manner of industrial grade chemicals.

Dharanya

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/10338#Comment_10338

Hi, I am new to gardening and looking for information about the alternatives for the treated timbers and came across your post about “Microshades Sleeper”. Can you please care to explain how would that be safe? From what I understand MS is just a coatingbof pain on top of the usual treated timber. Do you mean this coating will seal the treatment intact and there wont be any leeching. Please explain. Thanks in advance

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/70250#Comment_70250

Hello @Dharanya

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you so much for joining the discussion and sharing your question about the Microshades sleeper.

The difference between the CCA-treated timber and the Microshades sleeper is that it does not contain any Arsenic. This one single difference makes the Microshades sleeper an ideal timber for use in garden beds. The treatment on the timber is done by pressure. No other treatment is made prior to this.

Here is a handy link to MicroPro: MicroPro Sienna treatment technology

If you need more advice or information, please let us know.

Eric

Divaneh

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/10338#Comment_10338

Hi Adam,

Im doing a 20 meters long garden bed / retaining wall and was wondering if i should go with 75mm Sienna micropro or untreated hardwood.

I was thinking to paint the back of the sleepers with bitumen paint and sheet the back of the sleepers with heavey duty plastic sheet or soemthing similar like corflute black sheets. There would also be the typical 200mm gravel and agi pipe and geofabric.

Now the posts will be 1.5 meters apart.

I like the looks of the natural wood and would use oil to stain the sleepers.

However not sure with all the gravel and the sheeting between the sleepers and the soil if treated hardwood is still a concern and it i should go with untreated or seinna 75mm, which one would you recommend?

Applogies for the long winded question.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/86013#Comment_86013

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

Before diving into timber recommendations, I’d like to clarify whether you’re planning to grow vegetables or other edible crops in this garden bed. If you are, painting the back of the sleepers with bitumen paint and adding a builder’s plastic lining to separate the soil from the timber is an excellent precaution to prevent any potential chemical leaching into the soil.

When it comes to timber choice, if you’re not growing edibles, you’re free to go with whichever sleeper best suits your preference. However, if you are concerned about treatment chemicals, the Sienna MicroPro sleepers would be a great choice. They’re ACQ-treated rather than CCA-treated, which is generally considered a more garden-friendly option. On the other hand, some untreated hardwood sleepers may also work well, but keep in mind that they might weather more quickly without the added protection of treatment.

Your setup with gravel, agi pipe, and geofabric is spot on for drainage and longevity. And since you plan to stain the sleepers, both Sienna and untreated hardwood will achieve a natural look, though Sienna MicroPro will provide added durability against decay and pests.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Divaneh

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108331#Comment_108331

Hi @MitchellMc

Thank you for your response. We will be planting veggies and eatable plants and furit trees. Do you think if im putting plastic sheet and gravel hopefully to stop any chemical leaching into the soil, would CCA rated hardwood be an option?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121442#Comment_121442

Hi @Divaneh,

Provided there is a gap between the soil and any CCA-treated timber, then it's typically accepted to be fine. With the installation of a plastic barrier, you're even more covered. So, CCA-treated hardwood would be an option.

You want to avoid using CCA-treated timber and then placing soil directly up next to it and growing edibles next to the timber.

Mitchell

Divaneh

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129682#Comment_129682

Thank you!

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