Re: ground prep for raised beds

The lumber is pressure treated with arsenic which leaches out into the soil.  Hence, I would not used this lumber if the garden is going to have edible crops.  Also, there are many websites which spell out the warnings of using chemicals (i.e. John Hopkin's Hospital Intellithealth newsletter has released an article indicating pesticides can cause male infertility).
 
Here are some organic sites:  http://www.organicgardening.com/ This site will offer a wonderful array of books on organic gardening.  My personal belief is that there are no regrets with respect to harming one's own health or the delicate ecosystem/environment through organic gardening.  Organic gardening promotes the ecosystem to work harmoniously together as opposed to fighting 'mother nature' with chemicals.
 
 
 
http://www.safe-food.org/  This site concentrates on educating the public of the dangers of Genetically Engineered food.  However, if you follow the link to 'Concerned Scientists', this site will provide information on the dangers of chemical applications.
 
http://freenet.macatawa.org/org/ogm.html  This is the site for "Organic Growers of Michigan" which provides a wealth of information as well as links to related sites.
 
If you are growing fruits & vegetables, the best 'how-to' book I found is "How to Grow More Vegetables (than you ever thought possible on less land than you can imagine)" by John Jeavons.  It's the 5th Edition Revised.  I've purchased this book & many other organic gardening books published by the Rodale Institute/Publishing -- Rodale is the most prominent name in organic gardening -- through http://www.amazon.com/
 
Bless you in your attempts to green our planet.  Peace be with you.
 
Sincerely,
Cyndy Ross, Chairperson
Fellowship, SLLC Organic Community Garden, Memorial Garden, & 'Welcoming Wagon' committees
Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church
2399 Figa Avenue
W. Bloomfield, MI 48324-1808
 
c*@tir.com
Zone 6A
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Deborah Steelman <d*@erols.com>
To: community_garden@mallorn.com <community_garden@mallorn.com>
Date: Friday, May 05, 2000 9:08 AM
Subject: [cg] ground prep for raised beds

We are preparing to install pressure treated lumber for raised bed planting beds on a lot which has some weeds, hard dirt, even the remnants of a macadam drive way still intact. A house was torn down years ago.
    the plans were drawn up by our county agricultural architect, gratis. The local high school shop class is building them and with the help of the HS horticultural club is providing installation.
    We are going to fill the beds with topsoil for planting. What is the best  and most economical way to prepare the ground to prevent weeds from coming up. Chemical weedkillers have been suggested and I'm really reluctant to use them.
    This community garden is a first for our small urban like community of 6,000. We have formed a collaborative committee with 2 churches, the Supt. of our schools, and the chamber of commerce. We received training and an initial grant through the United Methodist Church Shalom Zone progam for community renewal. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Rev. Deborah Steelman, Paulsboro Shalom Community Garden (NJ)
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