I am going to be making some raised garden beds, i was just going to make them with heat treated pallets that i can get for free from work. Most of them are oak. Would I need to Clear coat them, or paint them at all to keep them looking good over the years?
What would some of you do? I reLly dont want them to grt that gray color!
I think it's possible there is a finish you could apply often that could slow the graying, but since you're growing food which is a natural process, I think your best bet is to be ok with the graying which is also a natural process.
Nothing will hold up for a long time in contact with dirt except pressure treated, and you don't want that with dirt that's growing food.
Yes, the red cedar will grey with exposure to the UV in sunlight. The greying in inevitable with any species of wood I believe. The most effective treatments will only delay it a short while…
I don't think you can put anything on them that will work in that type application.
Yes, it is best to go with a naturally resistance wood but since its in direct contact with soil, even cedar will eventually break down.
I've used sawn boards outside they will eventually come apart.
I've also used cedar for fence posts as long as the heart remains intact they're pretty rot proof.
You should come to terms with the fact that a wooden raised bed frame is only temporary. If you use the right wood it can last awhile, but wood is natural and being in contact with damp soil then all wood will rot.
The farm where I work we made new raised beds for the garden last year. We used western red cedar and milled it to 2.25" thick by 7" and went two high for a raised bed height of 14". They look great and they will last a long time. No finish, so they are turning silver. But in 10 - 15 years, someone will probably have to replace them.
If you want them to last for your grandkids make them out of brick/stone/concrete.
I used cedar and painted them with oil based primer then 2 coats of exterior PVA on all sides. Joined the corners with double dovetails and 3" pocket screws. they are 2 years old and doing fine. http://lumberjocks.com/projects/101148
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