Vermiculite alone is not a carcinogen. However, it has bad reputation because before the 1990’s it was often contaminated with asbestos. If you get pure vermiculite its non toxic, but you have to be careful of your source.

Hi Ryan,

I think my images were maybe a bit misleading. The garden is actually four feet across according to the square foot gardening method that should be the widest I want to go. I am also going to leave about 18″ of room near the fence so I can access that side of it.

Thanks for the advice on the stain. I’ve been reading that soy based stains may be okay, do you have any insight on this.

Thanks!

As far as wood selection goes, cedar or redwood are the best choices for raised beds because, although they will still weather to a grey color, they are much more resistant to rot than pine or other woods and will last longer with constant contact to the wet soil. If you do want to seal or stain the wood, consider that you are growing food and anything that you put on the wood can leach into your food.

Also, I agree, stain on the outside only, our beds are gonna look amazing :)

Thanks!

I am a little sorry to be continuing this comment string, as you have two more posts that I easily have thoughts on, but I guess we have the exact same climate and some interests in common so you are now being spammed for appreciating my thoughts. And now, after this preface, what I’m here to say is I just to say, I LOVE the idea of staining the wood! Great idea! I would guess the side that faces the dirt is maybe shoulnd’t be stained, but that is invisible or barely visible. Now, let me know what you think of this. I’m trying to figure out is a cool looking edging for right around the outside of the beds. If you don’t put something there, grass is kind of difficult to deal with right at the garden’s edge. I put some old bricks around the edge last year, just perched on the top of the ground, and that helped. I think I’ll maybe sink them into the ground. Old bricks look cool. Mel Bartholomewn has things like crushed rock that he uses, but they just have the right aesthetic at all. I am a little afraid I will be overwhelmed by digging trenches around the whole business when I want to be planting, but that’s my idea so far. But then I think, 96 feet of trenches and burying old bricks?!

Meg,
Thanks for all the information. It’s been really helpful. I just went ahead and order the book by Mel Bartholomew, and am excited to learn more about this method. Too bad it’s supposed to snow a foot tomorrow, it’s totally getting me down in the dumps.

Anyway, I really appreciate all your advice. I am considering staining the wood black so it looks pretty. I will have to do more research on that though and to make sure it won’t have an effect on the veggies. I suppose it probably will, but I will double check.

Yes, seeds indoors! You can do it! Plus it is fun and will get you amped up about the spring. I am going to start my veggie seeds after I get my book, and I’m looking forward to it. Good luck with the seeds, and thanks again!

The more I think about it, the more I would lean toward cedar and getting the kit. It will turn grey just like regular lumber, but it might last longer. For me, I was pretty focused on keeping the cost down, but I wouldn’t have had any of it work out without a ton of help to build it, and I would need the kit if it was all going to be done by me. My gardens are visible from the house. They are so neat and tidy looking that I like to see them, even in the winter. Having your garden visible is actually something that book recommends…I was utterly clueless about gardening,and I still pretty much am, so when I started, I got the book All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. I didn’t read it cover to cover, and I don’t follow it to a T, but it has been a good reference for a newbie. It has you divide your raised bed into a grid and plant a certain number of things per square. I like the grid, but it is a matter of preference more than anything. I love that about gardening. All you really have to do it plant things, water them and you get delightful results. Now, I’ve got to figure out starting seeds indoors. I don’t want to continue to drop $200 on herbs, heirloom tomato and pepper plants every year!

Oh, and what is the name of the book you recommend? Thanks!

Meg,
Thanks so much for the good advice. I do have a husband, but he is not handy, which is why I would like to get the burpee kit. It picks up the slack in the handy department, and makes it easier on me. I will have to do more research about this Square Foot Gardening Method, it sounds interesting, and I have no idea where to start.

Question, would you recommend fancy wood it if the garden was right outside your dining room window, or do you think it would still grey and rot quickly and hold up just like cheap lumber? I really appreciate all the advice.

I ended up using cedar fence planks. They weren’t my number one choice, but they were inexpensive and smell nice. In hindsight I wish I had sealed them last year as they have turned sort of grey but they don’t look bad. They worked well at 6 feet long. I put two on each side and was left with a nice 6 ft square box.

What kind of wood did you use in yours? I suppose we’ll have to buy some fancy cedar or something too.

I forgot that you guys had done this last year – are you getting excited to plant stuff??

Thanks for the truck offer (and the dirt on dirt), you are a good friend.