The boards don't need any treatment, but be on the lookout for termites in your bed later. I recommend using the PROFESSIONAL GRADE landscaping fabric from Lowes garden center. It is much different than what is conventionally used, and works great!

EG

Termites? uh oh. This raised bed is going to be pretty close to the house; only about 20 feet away. I heard there are termites in the soil everywhere, but is 20 feet away too close?

Thanks for answering all my questions. :o)

Lois in PA

Lois - as with anything constructed from wood, termites will find it. My methods for defense are:

1. Termite management program surrounding our home (which is mandatory for borrowing money to purchase a home)

2. Ants. Yep, ants live in my raised bed - but I leave them be. I can't tell you how many times I've noticed a worker ant carrying a termite back to it's colony. Natural pest control in it's purest form....hehe

EG

We went through a HUGE hassle with our house before we sold it and a cedar porch we had built. Long story short, termites don't like cedar, according to our termite people.

ribbit - I didn't know that. I guess they are attracted to my 4x4 posts (PT)

EG

Man, there is a lot of confusing information out there about termites and cedar. Some say the resins in cedar will kill a termite in 48 hrs. Some say only the core/red part of the cedar wood will kill termites... We do have ants, several different kinds, so hopefully they will control any termites. Also, the cedar boards will not be sitting directly on the dirt, they will be sitting on a row of stone blocks which will keep them about 3 inches above ground level. I think the next raised bed will be made entirely out of stone blocks, though. :o)