The only thing better than enjoying the produce from your garden is planning your garden. I could spend hours looking through seed catalogs, checking out the latest garden equipment, drawing maps of what my garden might look like, and, naturally, thinking about the best type of wood for raised beds. After all, you want something that isn’t going to rot, but you also don’t want anything treated with chemicals.
So I did what any gardener would do and spent the next three weeks scouring websites and reading through extension program materials and forestry blogs. I’m kidding; it was only two weeks and six days. I also asked around and thought about my own experience with raised beds. No surprise, but I got a ton of information and more than a few strong opinions about using materials other than wood, too.
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What is the Best Wood for a Raised Garden Bed?
Raised garden beds are a great way to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers. The enclosure allows you to control the soil quality and prevents issues like soil compaction. Raised beds also reduce back strain since you don’t have to bend over as far to tend to your plants.
When building a raised bed, one of the most important decisions is which wood to use. The right wood will be durable, rot-resistant, and safe for your garden. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of various wood species to help you decide what is the best wood for raised garden beds.
Cedar
Cedar is one of the most popular choices for raised beds This aromatic wood has natural oils that act as a pest repellent and preservative Cedar has a beautiful reddish-brown color and straight grain, It’s also relatively affordable and easy to find,
The oils in cedar make it naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects. A raised bed made from untreated cedar can last over 10 years. With a protective stain, it can last even longer. Cedar’s durability makes it an ideal wood for vegetable gardens and beds you want to keep for years.
Redwood
Like cedar, redwood contains tannins and oils that help repel pests and moisture. It’s extremely durable – even more so than cedar. Redwood raised beds can last over 15 years without any treatment. The downside is that redwood can be quite expensive since it only grows in certain regions like coastal California.
Redwood has a beautiful rich red color that darkens and weathers to a silvery gray over time. It’s easy to work with and takes stain very well. Redwood is a great choice if you want your raised beds to be an attractive fixture in your yard.
Cypress
In the southern United States, cypress is an affordable alternative to redwood and cedar. It contains oils that act as natural preservatives. Cypress is also extremely strong and rot-resistant. Raised beds made from cypress can last 7-8 years or longer.
This wood has an attractive yellowish-brown color. Over time it weathers to a silvery-gray shade. Cypress works well for gardens in hot climates since it handles heat and humidity better than many other woods. Just keep in mind that cypress can be hard to source in other parts of the country.
Juniper
Juniper is an underrated choice that deserves more consideration. Like cedar, it contains aromatic oils that naturally deter pests. Juniper is highly rot-resistant – even more so than cedar. Juniper raised beds can easily last over 10 years with minimal upkeep required.
This durable conifer wood has a slightly purple-tinged outer sapwood with a reddish-brown heartwood. It weathers over time to an attractive silvery finish. Juniper grows widely across North America, so it’s accessible and affordable for many gardeners.
Pine
For gardeners on a budget, pine is the most economical choice. You can often find it for around half the price of cedar. Pine has a lower natural oil content, so it’s more vulnerable to rot and pests. But with proper treatment and maintenance, a pine raised bed can still last 5+ years.
Pine lumber comes in several varieties including yellow, white, and red pine. Regardless of type, pine tends to be relatively soft and straight-grained. It takes stain well if you wish to customize the color. Just be sure to apply a non-toxic wood protector.
Avoid These Woods for Raised Beds
While the above woods are great choices, there are certain woods you should avoid for raised garden beds:
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Pressure treated lumber can leach chemicals into your soil even if it’s treated with safer alternatives to CCA. Avoid it to be safe.
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Reclaimed woods like pallets or railroad ties are often treated with harmful preservatives and pesticides. Do not use them for edible gardens.
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Any mystery wood could potentially be treated or contaminated. For food crops, stick with known, untreated varieties purchased new.
Key Considerations When Selecting Wood
When choosing wood for your raised beds, keep these factors in mind:
Durability – Redwood, cedar, cypress, and juniper are naturally durable and rot-resistant. Pine is least durable.
Cost – Pine is cheapest while woods like redwood and cedar are pricier. Find the best wood you can afford.
Appearance – Cedar and pine have a more basic look while redwood is highly decorative.
Availability – Check which woods are accessible in your region.localized woods tend to be most affordable.
Safety – Ensure the wood is untreated to avoid any chemical contamination.
Sustainability – Look for FSC-certified or reclaimed options. Avoid rare tropical woods.
How Thick Should the Boards Be?
Use the thickest boards your budget allows. 1-inch thick boards are too flimsy for raised beds. Aim for at least 1.5-2 inches thick. Thicker boards resist bowing and last longer.
For a more decorative look, use thicker boards for the sides and thinner boards for corner trim and capping.
How Long Do Raised Beds Last?
With proper care and maintenance, a raised bed made from durable wood like cedar or redwood can last over a decade. More vulnerable woods like pine may only last 3-5 years. Ensure your raised bed has adequate drainage to prevent premature rotting.
Staining or sealing the wood annually will help maintain its integrity. Expect to replace thinner boards sooner. Adding a landscape fabric barrier will also extend the life of your raised bed.
Get Growing!
Now that you know about the best wood options, you can start planning your raised garden! Carefully built wood raised beds can provide many years of enjoyment while keeping your vegetables and flowers healthy and thriving. The initial investment is well worth it.
Discovering the best type of wood for raised beds
There are several considerations around the best type of wood for raised beds. I’ll touch on those below, but first, here are some popular options for raised garden beds.
Cedar. Cedar is most commonly thought of as the best type of wood for raised beds. It’s largely resistant to rot and termites, and it’s relatively easy to find. It can also be expensive. As an example, a 2-inch x 6-inch x 10-foot long cedar board runs about $25. The wood will last you 15 or more years.
Redwood. Redwood has a lifespan of more than 20 years, and like cedar, it’s also resistant to rot. It’s also a bit more challenging to find than cedar, and it ain’t cheap. An 8-foot redwood board is in the $30 range.
Pine. Pine is a softer wood and won’t last nearly as long as cedar or redwood. However, it’s also inexpensive. We’re talking around $15 for a 10-foot board.
You have more options, of course. A lot of people like juniper because it’s resistant to insects and rot. It’s a little more challenging to find, but it will also last more than 50 years! There’s also Douglas fir, which has a long history in housing construction. It’s also very affordable but tends to have a much shorter lifespan.
As you can see, the best type of wood for raised beds can vary depending on how much you want to spend. Personally, I prefer pine since it grows quickly and is less expensive. However, there are some very important considerations to bear in mind no matter which wood you opt for.
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FAQ
What kind of wood should I use for raised beds?
Instead, it is recommended to use untreated wood, specifically cedar or redwood, for making raised beds. Cedar and redwood are naturally resistant to decay and insect damage, which makes them ideal for outdoor projects like raised beds.
What wood should not be used in a raised garden bed?
Just about any wood is fine except black walnut as it has a toxin the suppresses plant growth.
What is the best material to use for a raised garden bed?
Raised garden beds can be constructed from a variety of safe and sustainable materials. Cedar or redwood are two great options for wood as they are naturally rot-resistant and won’t leach harmful chemicals into the soil.