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Commack, NY

okay, we all use them, but i was wondering what type of wood you guys use. Ive been using this crappy plywood that i ripped planks from. it curls up on the ends, and frankly doesnt do a real good job of keeping soil compaction to a minimum. So basically im in need of new planks, but then i got to thinking, if i used pressure treated wood, would anything seep into the patch that would be harmful to the plant, or soil? if so, then what type of wood would be best.

4/30/2005 7:20:46 PM

wisconsin rapids WI

I use untreted 2in x 10in last year I raised them up on concrete block like a bridge I layed them out so I could walk over and around the plants and the vines could grow under it worked great I could get in and spray without disturbing the plant

4/30/2005 8:08:53 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

find a saw mill that cuts rough cut lumber. buy hemlock. it will last for a very long time.

4/30/2005 9:48:36 PM

Ohio

Wade, thats a great idea!

4/30/2005 10:34:58 PM

[email protected]

Whatever free stuff I find laying around. Usually Pine or Douglas Fir but I couldn't care less what kind of wood so long as it's free ;o)

5/1/2005 12:26:04 AM

Colo.Spgs.CO. Pikes Peak Chapter @ [email protected]

I have found that metal grates, preferably aluminum ones work very well, as water and air pass through them. I prefer the ones 2 ft wide by 3 to 4 ft. long...I can always use more of them, as they are hard to come by and are expensive if one has to but them...Check the local scrap yard as I do, and on some days you may get lucky, and only have to buy them by their weight in metal.....

5/1/2005 4:39:52 AM

Butler, Ohio

Thats pretty cool wade! I might just try that.

5/1/2005 9:27:10 AM

Long Island,New York

Just go down to the saw mill scott...its next to the dairy farm.

5/1/2005 9:41:18 AM

Commack, NY

lmao!

5/1/2005 10:20:08 AM

Key West, FL

Dave Larsen also walks on planks above his plants. I use fencing boards, but they are a little narrow at 6". I bought some plywood and cut it into 8" wide pieces for my main walk ways. Don't use partical board though... At my home patch i walk on blocks for the main walk ways because they were just laying around.

5/1/2005 1:18:09 PM

Key West, FL

oh ya, type of wood, lol. I use anything thats not partical board and that is cheap or free.

5/1/2005 1:19:29 PM

Montoursville, PA

I just inherrited 2" X 8" cedar deck take offs. The price was right. I mulch lightly under them and let them in place for the whole season. Think I have enough for every other walkway between the secondaries. They are in fact pretty good mulch in their own right.

I don't like treated lumber but really believe they are not as scary, by any means, as some folks would make them out, to be.

5/1/2005 7:18:25 PM

Hayes, Virginia

I use old Bread trays.
the trays are about 2 1/2 x 2 1/2.
1 inch deep.
flip the trays over so only the outer part
of the tray gets pressed in the ground.
you can place the trays about foot apart.
To keep the paths between trays open.
Worked well for me last year.

5/2/2005 5:29:05 PM

Canada

I lay 2x2 patio stones in my patch and plant my plants
between them. yes they grow over the stones in some cases but you can always walk over them as well if needed hey this is what works for me so i use it

Dave

5/2/2005 11:09:54 PM

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

I'm going to flood my patch and try to walk on water.

Wish me luck!!

5/3/2005 1:06:49 AM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

get in touch with Stunner, Grandpa!

5/3/2005 5:06:39 AM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

On the issue of treated wood, if used as edging or a retainer for a raised bed, do you think it would help to put plastic sheeting on the inside of the wood between it and the garden/patch soil?

I have some treated lumber left over from out deck constuction a couple of years ago. It's been outdoors, stored under the deck, for a couple of years now. So, if there was any leaching to be done, it may have done it already. But, I'm still nervous about whether it's safe to have near the vegetables that we eat (and for the health of my 1500 pounder to be).

5/3/2005 9:24:12 AM

Cologne / Germany

First I lay 4 - 6 bricks between the vines, then I put whatever plank I have on top of the the bricks. Works good for me to minimize soil compaction.

5/3/2005 10:12:06 AM