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Im about to bit the bullet and build a new flower bed. I've good some untreated pine (from very cheap chest of draws that feel apart which was a big mistake of a purchase) and am planning on use the wood to build the flower bed (kitchen garden style). I think that the wood will require some treatment such as a varnish but I don't want to use anything toxic.

Do any of you know a good source for non-toxic wood vanish or other outdoor treatment

Thanks

I don't know how toxic it is but if you're planning to use varnish you need something that will stand up to the weather, like yacht varnish. The other alternative would be to oil it instead.

I wouldn't bother personally, the wood will season naturally over time and go a nice, weathered grey colour. I'm not sure that varnishing it would extend it's life that much longer, when sitting on the ground.

We built our first raised beds here in Oct 2000 and have just replaced their sides. They were built with thin cladding wood taken from an old partition in the shed. They were untreated and lasted us till last Summer when the rain, (biblical at times), finally did for them

Most yatch varnish is reasonably ok, as it has to pass marine regs, but personally I suspect Green Aura is spot on, it'll be an expense for very little (a year or two) extra life. If they don't last too long, skip-forage for more wood, would be my take on it.

MW

thanks for the advice, i was worried that the wood wouldn't last nearly as long as green aura suggested.