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Pressure Treated Wood & RR ties

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

Hi folks - I had mentioned in a previous post that I need to replace the
short borders (less than a foot) around all of my flower beds.  I was
thinking of using cinder block or brick.  However, I just found out how
expensive it is!! Yikes!  

I had an estimate done today by a guy who uses wood.  Much less
expensive.  My problem is this - he recommends using pressure treated
wood because it lasts at least around 25 years.  He says that redwood
will only last around 6-7 years in my yard because it's in direct
contact with moist dirt.  

Does anyone know how far away from the source pressure treated wood
leaches arsenic?  Is it only a problem if you're growing veggies in the
beds?  Does pressure treated wood harm earthworms or good soil bacteria,
etc?  Any info would be greatly appreciated, as I don't want to cause a
problem in my yard, but then again, I don't want to have to pay someone
to replace the borders again in 7 years.

I also have railwood ties in the yard.  They form the border that keeps
the soil for the lawn in place.  2 of these need to be replaced too.  I
know that railwood ties are soaked in creosote.  Does anyone know why
that's bad?  And, if I don't replace them with railwood ties, does other
wood come that big?

Sorry for the long post, and it being slightly off topic, but I have no
one else to ask.  And you guys are always such a wealth of good info!

Kim
zone 9, so cal


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