DIY Chatroom - DIY Home Improvement Forum - raised garden next to house

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raised garden next to house

can you make a raised garden next to a house? not directly on the house, but if I build a pressure treated box about 4" to 6" off the face of the house?

I don't see the problem with that. What is your concern, specifically?

I don't think being close to the house is a problem, as long as you didn't already have a drainage problem to start with. I would consider using something besides treated lumber to frame it with, maybe cedar, redwood, or cypress. I don't like the idea of whatever is in the treated lumber leaching out where I am growing things to eat. Just my personal opinion.
Mike Hawkins:)

I was just concerned about moisture and maybe condensation on the siding, with possible mold and mildew problems... Just over thinking a simple projects :laughing:

edit: good idea on the treated lumber to, I didnt think about that!

I used PT on my raised garden
I then lined the inside with the old vinyl siding off the house
I have PT posts in my garden for support structure
CCA (has arsenic) is no longer made, new wood is ACQ & does not have arsenic

Quote:

Certain national gardening publications have raised concerns about the safety of using treated lumber in food gardens. Pressure-treated lumber uses CCA (chromated copper arsenate) or ACA (ammoniacal copper arsenate) as a preservative. However, studies done by Texas A&M Agricultural Extension Service showed insignificant movement of these compounds into surrounding soil. Pressure-treated lumber has no proven effect on plant growth or food safety. However, on Feb.12, 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a voluntary decision by the lumber industry to move consumer use of treated lumber products away from a variety of pressure-treated wood that contains arsenic by Dec. 31, 2003, in favor of new, alternative wood preservatives. Alkaline cooper quaternary (ACQ) is a relatively new wood treatment that is available in some areas of the country. This product is higher in copper than CCA but is free of arsenic.

P.t. wood is not waterproof. Unless you buy it specifically treated for that--- with an extra cost. You are fine using the "ground contact, 40%retention" in dirt but remember not to water the plants as the p.t. will absorb water and rot, but not from insects or decay. Never entomb p.t. in concrete. A p.t. post in the ground will absorb water from the dirt by capillary action and adhesion. A tree feeds water to its leaves and fruit from its roots up through the trunk (think post). I would treat the p.t. with a waterproof liquid, especially the cuts and bare ends.
http://www.ufpi.com/literature/ptfaq-204.pdf

http://www.thompsonswaterseal.com/advice/faq.cfm

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/scienc...Bio_p033.shtml

Be safe, Gary

got me thinking maybe I should try out a composite material... that would last forever right :thumbup:

Like the composite decks that fall apart after 2 years ? :laughing: