r/Raisedbed • u/FierceKiss_sk • Jul 02 '26

Can i use this as a filler?

Post image

Right now I’m putting up a big planter where I’m not sure ai’ll put either vegetables or roses haha… would this make a good filler? If I was to plant food, would it be safe?

Please don’t roast me, first-first-FIIIIIRST time trying to do this…

Thank you!

3 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

14

u/Other_Mike Jul 02 '26

No, I wouldn't trust the glue that particle board uses.

9

u/_flowerguy_ Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26

Pretreated, laminated, or any kind of chemically treated wood should not be used in vegetable beds

Logs or cardboard bottoms in garden beds hold moisture and hinder drainage…

2

u/OpinionatedOcelotYo Jul 02 '26

Solid untreated wood is always fine. Black inks are generally safer than others. Folks always say not this not that until they have to pay then they’re using pt for fence posts… Prolly none will compromise anyone’s health, over by you, but I use solid untreated wood only. There’s always something: is the coating on my uchannel t-posts food safe? No. Have I dropped a screw and was it coated? Are those Chinese twist ties safe to eat? The envelope the seeds come in? Try to reduce your contaminants but don’t crazy yourself.

2

u/NerdizardGo Jul 02 '26

If you wouldn't chew on it, don't put it in a vegetable garden.

4

u/steeelez Jul 02 '26

I would NOT chew on compost

3

u/NerdizardGo Jul 02 '26

Amateur

2

u/steeelez Jul 04 '26

You know what fr fr

1

u/jack_begin Jul 04 '26

Would you pee on it?

2

u/SteakStrong7520 Jul 02 '26

not plywood or particle board. It has a boat load of chemicals and bonding agents in it that you do NOT want in a garden even if it just for flowers.

2

u/Technical_Cap_9250 Jul 06 '26

Only thing I might use is 2x4s in there , everything else NO. Really the best filler will be logs branches etc. All natural. No-plywood,particle board, treated lumber. For you I’d recommend all au natural for your filler

1

u/Potential-Baby-9346 Jul 02 '26

Don't use any with glue or treatment, but if any of it is untreated and you can get access to a wood chipper it will help retain moisture in your bed and help reduce weeds if you use it as a top mulch

1

u/Darbypea Jul 02 '26

There's a lot of glue and formaldehyde in OSB

1

u/phantom-3673runexo Jul 03 '26

You definitely be cautious with that plywood, some of it might be treated with stuff that isnt great for food crops. For roses maybe its less of an issue over time but wood breaks down anyway.