Most experts recommend beginners to always plans and keeps everything organized for long-term growth. However, keeping the garden managed can be challenging for most individuals if they don’t have a mental map beforehand. It would help a lot if you start small and then work your way up by expanding the garden. That way, you won’t be overwhelmed and learn a lot of things in the process.
A few gardeners have recently come forward with this question of whether or not they can use railroad ties for their vegetable garden. If you’re also confused about using railroad ties, let us help you with a few solutions.
Can You Use Railroad Ties for A Vegetable Garden?
Even though railroad ties might seem like the perfect method to manage your vegetable garden, it is not always the case. If you’re buying new railroad ties, these will be covered with creosote, made from a mixture of hundreds of chemicals to preserve the wood. So, it might not be such a good idea to add these chemical-coated wood pieces to your garden. Instead, you need to look towards other landscaping methods to manage the park if you want long-term growth.
On the other hand, some gardeners did say that using old and worn-out railroad ties does not affect the garden that much. This is because most chemical coating fades over the years, and the wood is safer for the garden. So, you need first to determine the kind of railroad ties you’re planning to buy. If you only look towards the budget, then there is a chance that you will end up losing the whole garden.
To be on the safe side, it is best to avoid using railroad ties. But it can be used in some situations if the chemical coating has faded away and the wood won’t infect the plants. There are a lot of other landscaping methods that will help you manage the garden layout. You don’t need to rely on the railroad ties entirely. So, if you haven’t already invested, just look towards alternatives for a better-looking garden long term.
If you are not familiar with gardening wood, ask your local experts for landscaping options. He will surely recommend something that might work just as effectively as railroad ties but on a more budget. So, if you can afford to spend a few extra bucks, buy other kinds of wood and don’t use railroad ties.
To Conclude
Railroad ties can be an attractive option at a low budget, but they are not viable long term. Even if you want to save a few dollars, you might end up paying a lot more in the long run. So, if you want to avoid destroying your garden, use other kinds of wood to organize your garden.
However, if you have to use railroad ties, make sure that the chemical preservatives on the wood have leached away. The railroad tie should be completely worn out, and then you can think of using them for your garden. A little bit of preservative is not that harmful, but if the railroad ties are entirely covered, you need other options.