When building raised beds, after assembly we coat them well with boiled linseed oil 9cheaper by the gallon). Then, each spring and fall coat the outside of the bed, just for extra protection. Just let the wood live as long as possible, and compost it when it's done.
We assemble the beds with 4" corner braces (on the inside), so if one side needs replacing before others, it can be done easily. Just scoop the soil out of the corner of the bed and unscrew the braces, and put a new board in. >From my totally unscientific opinion, I wouldn't suggest painting the beds. >Paint will flake. Personally, I don't want paint flakes in my soil. Happy gardening! Paco John Verin City Wide Coordinator - Philadelphia Green The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 100 North 20th Street, 5th floor Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 Phone: 215-988-8885; Fax 215-988-8810 http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Lynn Gregor > Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 10:48 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [cg] wood for raised beds > > > Hello, > > Question regarding longevity of untreated wood: > > - Is it safe to paint the outside of the raised bed to at > least provide a > little more protection against weathering? If yes, what type > of paint would > be best to use? This of course has the dual purpose of > incorporating art into > the garden. > > - How about digging the beds up and turning them over every > year or so to even > out the weathering; ie, the wood that may begin rotting by > being underground > all year could then be exposed to the air and sun to dry out? > Does this sound > like one way to help increase the life span of untreated wood > for raised beds? > > Any other ideas about increasing the longevity of untreated > raised beds? > > Thanks for any info! > Lynn Gregor > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > ______________________________________________________ > The American Community Gardening Association listserve is > only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn > more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
