There are several different alternatives to using pressure treated lumber to build raised beds.
Pressure treated wood for raised beds.
He stated in a bulletin titled treated wood in raised bed gardening scientific evidence and data have shown that using pressure treated wood for raised bed or box gardening is safe to adults and children in terms of the plants grown and used in these containers he further explains all chemicals in consumer products have a toxicity and most are very low so they are not a problem especially those regulated by the federal government.
Yes the new pressure treated wood is safe for use for raised garden frames.
Wood treated with chromated copper arsenate or cca can leach toxic arsenic into soil.
Certain woods such as cedar black locust redwood and cypress are naturally less prone to rot due to the oils in the wood.
Some have the same look and others are a different approach altogether.
Inspired natural wood raised bed.
This instructable takes repurposing to a whole new level.
If you want to use a pressure treated wood for your raised beds look for lumber with a label stating it was treated with acq alkaline copper quat.
Inspired natural wood raised bed.
Of course the primary concern with using pressure treated wood in raised bed gardens has been with the arsenic in cca chromated copper arsenate treated wood.
With a few precautions.
Many new gardeners and even experienced ones turn to treated lumber when sourcing materials for raised beds due to its added protection against moisture and the associated rot and bug damage.
However while treated lumber will hold up better over time it can also leach harmful chemicals into your soil.
Over years the industry in cooperation with government recommendations.
Garden use of treated lumber.
Gardeners have used pressure treated wood for decades in raised beds and as posts but on december 31 2003 the environmental protection agency epa banned the sale of lumber treated with chromated copper arsenate cca for residential use.
This publication from pennsylvania state university does a good job describing the risks of using both cca treated wood as well as acq treated wood.
The safety of pressure treated wood for garden beds depends on what preservative was used to treat the wood.
When building the raised beds with this lumber make sure you and your scouts wash their hands well after the construction is done.
This garden bed uses corrugated metal and pressure treated wood.
Concerns have focused on the leaching of arsenic from pressure treated wood into the soil contaminating plants and people.
Modern pressure treated wood should be an acceptable option.