[Community_garden] Treated Wood in Raised Beds

[Chatfield, Margaret]

We have a community garden plot program with over 650 plots distributed
across 10 locations. At one of the sites, we have six 4 'x 8' accessible
raised beds. These accessible plots were pulled out of service a few
years ago, because of concerns with leaching from the treated lumber
used in their construction. I'd really like to get these beds back in
service. I think we're looking at a complete tear-down, but I'm hoping
to hear of some options other than removing the wood and soil and
rebuilding from scratch. 
 
Does anyone have suggestions on how to salvage the existing beds, or
input on whether that's even advisable?  Has anyone dealt with this, or
tried removing soil and lining beds made of treated wood? (These were
originally lined with plastic, but it deteriorated in the first few
years.) 
 
We've got very limited financial resources and will probably be
depending on volunteer labor. And we're moving toward a program ban on
pesticides, herbicides and treated wood in 2009, so I'd like the
accessible beds to meet those same standards. 
 
Thanks!
 
Meg Chatfield
Garden Plot Coordinator
 
Green Spring Gardens
Fairfax County Park Authority
4603 Green Spring Road
Alexandria, VA  22312
703/642-0128
margaret.chatfield at fairfaxcounty.gov
<blocked::mailto:margaret.chatfield at fairfaxcounty.gov> 
 
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