This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

RR Ties & Treated Wood for Raised Beds

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

Hi All

This is not a rebuke of any statements expressed by persons posting to THIS
list, rather a reflection of some feelings that I find it necessary to
share.

There have been past references to treated wood and, more recently railroad
ties, as materials to construct raised beds. It is remarkably complimentary
to the members that
no one on this list jumped on the tired old band wagon that peddles rhetoric
to the effect that the use of treated wood or OLD ties means the immediate
end of civilization as we know it.

This may be true.

I have not encountered the evidence that supports the premise, and I have
searched!

What I have encountered is emotional buzz word and alarmist rhetoric very
similar to the radiation outcries of years ago......."........and we found
RADIATION, ARSENIC..... (choose your own devil)" with never a reference to
or comparison with NORMAL BACKGROUND LEVELS.

I can recall numerous media reports that Arsenic was found in the soil of
playgrounds close to treated wood structures. I guess it wouldn't make as
good a news story to explain that Arsenic is one of the elements of which
are Earth (the ball) is composed and is found almost everywhere. The trick
is to be able to place that discovery in the context of what level of
Arsenic. . . . . . . was found as a comparison with generally accepted
background levels.

I find it hard to accept that a RR tie that has laid on the ground, in wind,
rain, snow, etal for more years (decades) than I intend to, could still have
enough harmful chemicals leaching out to hurt anything, or body.

I do not use these things as I choose the appearance of, as well as the fact
of, gardening organically as it was thought of before the Federal Govt..
chose to attempt to codify same. I'm sure that should I commit such a
transgression the "Howling Harridans" or "Environatzies" would show up in
their green sheets and hoods to burn a Christmas Tree on my lawn.

I have been wanting to say these things publicly for a very long time TIA
for indulging me.

Regards,
DT (aka Dore Tyler)  dee_tee@msn.com
Doing his own thing in the privacy of his own garden.
USDA Zone 8b, Tacoma, WA


______________________________________________________________________
To unsubscribe, write to sqft-unsubscribe@listbot.com
Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index