Are Landscape Timbers Safe For Vegetable Gardens

Asked May 23, 2013, 12:26 PM EDT

Is it safe to plant a vegetable garden in an area enclosed with treated (not the railroad type with creosote, but the lighter colored ones from Home Depot/Lowe's)? Do these treated timbers contaminate the soil and, thus, the food? Thank you for your help. Sharon

Jefferson County Colorado

Expert Response

Your answer can be found in this publication:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/quickref/vegetable/intensive_veg_gardening.html

It specifically says:

The sides of an enclosed raised bed are often made of treated wood. Green pressure-treated lumber, has been treated with cromated copper arsenate (CCA) or ammoniated cooper arsenate (ACA). These two preservatives are the safest for the garden because of their very low tendency to leach into soil. Research studies have shown that there is very little chance of ingesting arsenic in vegetables near treated lumber. Because of the arsenic in the wood, however, wear rubber gloves and a dust mask when sawing the lumber. Avoid using creosote-treated railroad ties. Freshly treated creosote lumber can leach into the soil for several years and continues to give off vapors over a seven to nine year period.

If you have further questions contact the Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers at 252-902-1705 or pittcomgv@hotmail.com
Danny Lauderdale, Extension Agent
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Pitt County Center

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Submitted to the NC_CES_Pitt Group
Assigned to Patricia Gray Cahoon by System about 1 month ago April 21, 2013, 12:07 PM EDT
Assigned to Danny Lauderdale by Patricia Gray Cahoon about 1 month ago April 21, 2013, 11:17 PM EDT Danny, I think I know the answer (just heard them talking about this issue on 'You Bet Your Garden' on NPR, but this is a question for you.
Resolved by Danny Lauderdale about 1 month ago April 22, 2013, 10:04 AM EDT
Tags edited by Rhonda Conlon 3 days ago May 20, 2013, 9:51 AM EDTChanged to horticulture
Tags edited by Rhonda Conlon 3 days ago May 20, 2013, 9:51 AM EDTChanged to horticulture, raised bed gardening from horticulture

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Danny answers your question

Better than I can.

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