Hellllooooooo...... I need some help please :) Im currently attempting my first garden :) lol I havent done much yet, except decide im going to do it, chose to do a vertical garden, decided to use pallets, and what vegetable to choose! I contact a craiglist liste for pallets, they are in the building!!!! Im so excited, but now I need help with some basics.... 1. How do I know they are ok to use...as far as putting vegatables, ill be eatting, to grow in them... pressure treated/arsenic in 2015, has there been changes since the orginal post? How about the wood being ok to use as far as insects? Is there anything else I should look out for?!? 2. I was going to be painting the pallets, does this affect the vegetables I will be gardening? Obviously after letting it cure for a few days..... :) 3. I was going to put KRYLON UV-Resistant clear acrylic coating over finish product to seal in the color of the paint and protect the wood..... lol I am no profeffesional..but this is something that seemed logical to me and I have also used this on garden statues...n the statues still look tip top after 2 or so years...? Im sure this is just the beginning of my question but I think it a good start.... I would value any advice :):) Thanks so much Caitlin

When I built my current framed beds 20 years ago, I used PT lumber. At the time, it seemed like the best idea since sliced bread. But after 20 years, I have to wonder just how much is left that can leach into the soil. And the newer ways of treating wood do seem to be a lot less potentially harmful that the old arsenic compounds. So I am a bit conflicted about what to say now. After thinking on it for a while, I would say that I sure wouldn't re-use any of the old PT wood to make new frames, probably wouldn't buy new PT wood, and plan to replace my existing frames (and the soil within) with either artificial wood or cinder blocks (and new soil). The artificial wood is not cheap and isn't terribly strong either (thinking of how often I put pressure on the frames while turning the soil to add compost). I think I'll redo my deck tops with it (adding more joists), but use cinder blocks to replace the old PT wood garden bed frames. And I kind of like the idea of having the holes in the tops of the cinder blocks to plant flowers in all around the edge... I'll have to learn about cementing the blocks together though (an undiscovered subject for me at the moment). On the other hand, if I had some reason to use PT wood (like having a bunch on hand or a cost consideration), I would line the bed with pond liner (best) or black plastic (OK). That would have to minimize any leaching, I think.

Coldlime, CCA has been used to pressure treat lumber since the 1940s. Since the 1970s, the majority of the wood used in outdoor residential settings has been CCA-treated wood. Pressure treated wood containing CCA is no longer being produced for use in most residential settings. That said, people do it all the time. You'll have to decide for yourself. Below is a link to an article that may be of help to you in deciding. There have been many discussions here at gardenweb on this subject. You can do a gardenweb search on "pressure treated lumber" if you'd care to read some of those. One last thing...there is a vegetable gardening forum here at gardenweb. If you post this query there, you'll get a lot more responses than you will here. Here is a link that might be useful: Does Pressure-Treated Wood Belong in Your Garden?

Sierraeast, I've been frequenting this site long enough to know there are some skilled HO'ers out there that have built some fine decks. It takes a real man to admit they were wrong, I see you are one. The next paragraph is not for you, but for others who may read this & be in the same boat as Danielle. Here's why I made that statement. Danielle did not state the elevation of the deck or any details other that it was 900 sq. ft. Just the size alone means there's going to be some considerable money being spent. I'd hate to see her spend big bucks & not be happy with the results or have safety issues. It cost less to do it right the first time, if it's not they might not be friends anymore. The golden rule for contractors is, don't do work for friends or relatives. Works the same for HO'ers, don't have friends or relatives do work on your home. Al PS. Thanks Steve & John for having my back.