FAQ > General Information > I want to build raised beds for my organic garden. What material should I use?
Non- pressure treated lumber is the ideal material for raised garden bed construction. Western Red Cedar is a popular choice because it’s both affordable, and extremely durable; you can expect to get five or more years out of a Western Red Cedar garden bed before it begins to rot. Redwood is an even longer lasting, but more expensive option, while Yellow Pine is a low priced choice with a much shorter life span. With constant ground contact, in a damp environment ( i.e. in an organic garden application) Yellow Pine can rot in as little as two years. Untreated, 6” by 8” landscape ties are another popular choice for building raised garden beds, especially in large scale applications like community gardens. Stone and masonry are also excellent building material options for raised garden beds .
Last updated on November 27, 2011 by Matthew Kokenes