Can I use pressure treated lumber with The M Brace in a raised vegetable garden bed?

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 by Chris Fox

If you're constructing a raised vegetable garden using The M Brace raised garden bed kit, you should have no reservation about using the latest in pressure treated lumber for your side Creating a raised garden bed using pressure treated lumberand end walls. In the last five years a new generation of pressure treated lumber was developed and is know as Micronized Copper Azole (MCA) or by brand name – MicroPro, ProWood Micro and Home Depot's WeatherShield among others.

When constructing a raised garden bed with The M Brace garden bed metal brackets you should have no fear using the MCA pressure treated lumber. Because (MCA) micronized copper formulations use a treatment process that has earned Environmentally Preferred Product status from Scientific Certification The M Brace raised garden bed bracketsSystems, it's safe for any type of garden and is a great choice for wood that comes in contact with the ground as it resists rotting and insects. This new formulation even has a lighter, fresher appearance compared to other/older pressure treating formulations and is less corrosive to fasteners. And less corrosive is good if you choose to use the stainless steel/non powder-coated M Brace. The metal will last longer and not accelerate corrosion.

Now go make your garden and outdoor living area even more beautiful with The M Brace raised garden bed brackets with pressure treated wood.

Watch a video on constructing a raised garden bed using The M Brace.

Comments for Can I use pressure treated lumber with The M Brace in a raised vegetable garden bed?

Friday, April 20, 2012 by Dr. Ken:
I beg to differ. Modern neuroscience links excess copper uptake to brain damage (proteins that make the neurons work) Studies indicate copper leaches about 6" laterally into the soil under the conditions typical to raised beds. Considering most raised beds are 4' wide a 6" reduction of the perimeter (as if the plant roots will behave) is not worth the risk as copper is readily taken up by most plants particularly root vegetables.
Monday, April 30, 2012 by Chris Fox:
Thanks for your comment Ken. USDA heavy metals expert Rufus Chaney points out, what constitutes an acute toxic dose isn’t really relevant to gardeners. What we want to avoid are chronic toxic doses, which can lead to disease. Chronic exposure means every day for a lifetime. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry (ATSDR) in Atlanta, we can ingest up to 0.3 micrograms of inorganic arsenic per kilogram of body weight per day and not be harmed. The average American woman, who weighs 132 lb. or 60 kg., would have to eat more than 18 micrograms daily all her life to see any ill effects. Before you get alarmed, remember this is inorganic arsenic we’re talking about, not the organic types predominant in our diet. And, an ATSDR spokesperson points out, 0.3 microgram is a low estimate for the maximum tolerable dose.

For additional information refer to this pressure treated lumber blog: http://blog.ufpi.com/blog/pressure-treated-lumber---basics-and-beyond/use-pressure-treated-wood-for-raised-garden-beds

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