How to Use Pressure Treated Lumber for a Vegetable Box
Pressure treated lumber available at the local lumber yard is not the same as the treated lumber offered a few years back. The old CCA-treated lumber leached toxic arsenic into the soil and contaminated plants. At times, plants died as a result of being exposed to the toxins. Newer treated lumber eliminates the arsenic, and is safe to use to making vegetable boxes or other raised garden beds. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Circular saw or hand saw
- Dust mask
- Protective eye wear
- 62 6-inch galvanized wood screws
- 8 flat angle corner brackets (metal)
- Drill or screw driver
- Carpenter's square
- Tape measure
- 7 10-foot pressure treated 2x4s
Instructions
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1
Put on the safety glasses. Measure off four feet from the end of six of the treated lumber 2x4s and mark a straight cut line with the carpenter square and a pencil. Cut the 2x4s at the marked line.
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2
Measure off one foot from each of the four foot sections and mark a straight cut line with the square and pencil. Set each length aside until assembling the vegetable box.
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3
Measure the last 2x4 into one foot sections and cut eight pieces for braces along the sides and middle of the vegetable box.
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4
Assemble the vegetable box by laying three of the six foot sections of 2x4s horizontally on a flat surface and laying a one foot section vertically at each end, on top of the three pieces of treated lumber. Drill a starter hole for the screws and place one screw through the one foot sections and into each of the six foot sections. Flip the side panels and place a one foot section in the middle, running vertically, across the panels. Secure with three more screws. Do this procedure again to produce both sides of the vegetable box.
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5
Lay out the three foot sections of treated lumber horizontally, and lay two of the one foot sections on top of the 2x4s, vertically at each end. Pre-drill the holes for the screws and secure the treated wood together with the screws. Repeat this procedure to produce both ends of the vegetable box.
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6
Connect the sides and ends of the vegetable box with the flat corner brackets using wood screws. Flip the box and add additional corner brackets to the bottom. Place the vegetable box where desired, fill with potting soil and plant.
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