Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
truck rated to haul a half ton. Since each block is eighteen
inches long, a pickup-sized load gives only 33 linear feet.
Boards made from recycled plastic used for decks and other
outdoor structures have become more available in recent
years and combine the assets of the easy handling of
traditional lumber with the durability of concrete block.
Several raised-bed kits are on the market that use plastic
boards, and these may be a good idea if you plan on doing a
small amount of gardening, but because of the expense of the
kits, they don't make sense on the scale needed to feed a
family. For a mini-farm, save expense by buying the plastic
boards at the lumber store and cutting them to the right size
yourself.
It is true that more modern pressure-treated lumber uses less
toxic components than it used to, but the components are still
toxic, and they can leach into the soil of the growing bed, so
they are best avoided.
Many other materials can be used, ranging from landscaping
timbers to poured concrete forms. Just let imagination, cost,
durability, and the potential toxicity of anything you might
use guide the decision. Keep in mind that using materials that
leach poisons into the growing beds completely defeats the
purpose of the home garden or mini-farm because consuming
the products grown in those beds can be extremely hazardous.
(The arsenic in pressure-treated wood, for example, is both
directly toxic and highly carcinogenic.)
