Hi, I`ve been using pressure treated decking and 2X2 for raised beds which has worked fine. However I forgot about the fact some of it is obviously covered in soil all the time. My question is how long would this timber last and what would be a good way of extending the life of future bes? I have heard of people standing wood in creosote for a couple of hours beforehand but not sure how effective that would be. Thanks.
Hi FP,
You could retreat the timber prior to use with a GOOD quality preservative/dry well before use to lengthen the life.
Creosote was banned by the 'noxious police'. There is an 'alternative creosote' but I suspect it's useless.
Pressure treatment is the same as used on fence posts etc. so should last at least ten years.
I use Protective Bituminous Paint Black on my raised bed timbers on the side that is in contact with the soil and the bottom bit but leave the othe side untreated so the timber can dry out in the summer. Protective Bituminous Paint Black is a waterproofing paint used on buidings.
Thanks for that, I`ll join the throngs down at B&Q tomorrow.
Creosote alternatives are actually quite good and easily obtainable from most DIY/Builders merchants. I use Creocote when treating outdoor fresh timber for the first time because it,s quick drying. Real Creosote is not banned but is only available in 25ltr containers and to professional users (builders/renovation companies/farmers/timber treatment companies), in fact anybody who has a trade account with a builders merchant! It is not allowed to be sold in small volumes for DIY use but I,m sure you must know someone with a trade account and enough people to share the container with!!
For my raised beds I treat the timber every winter with Real creosote after pulling the soil away from the boards, my homemade timber framed greenhouses get the same treatment on all exposed timber. Outdoor benches/tables are treated with creoCote because I was having to replace jeans/shirts and fleeces too often thanks to the slower drying time of real creosote.
Creosote was withdrawn from general sale because of a minute % possibility of it being carcinogenic ( about 1/15000th of the % possibility of Blue Asbestos), but there are no recorded cases of a cancer diagnosed as having been caused by exposure to creosote.