I would like to take this time and valuable web page real estate to spend some time answering a user submitted question. The question is from Larson & Sons Farm in Baltimore Maryland. Larson & Sons Farm asked about the different varieties of wood that was used in the construction of Joes Farm. Larson & Sons Farm has been a supporter of Joes Farm from Joes Farms inception. While Larson & Sons Farm is thousands if not millions of miles away from Joes Farm they have been there every step of the way.
For those who have been following Joes Farm from the early days know, we (Joes Farm) built our first field out of cinder blocks. We chose cinder block because it was inexpensive and easy to use. After the first season of farming, Joes Farm knew that cinder block was not going to cut it. The reasons for that are the lack of soil depth and the overwhelming heat that the cinder blocks absorbed. Joes Farm then scoured the world looking for alternatives. We found that there are some affordable options available for field construction. Pressure treated lumber was recommended by the Home Depot but the fact that it is laden with chemicals it was crossed off the list.
Through Joes farm research we were able to decide on Premium Douglas Fir. It comes in a variety of sizes and did not have the pressure treated chemical after taste. It is more affordable that the finer woods like cedar and redwood. I would also recommend a pine or a maple. They come in untreated planks like the premium Doug fir and are in the same price range. There are options available in composites but Joes Farm wanted to stay one with nature. What we give up by choosing untreated wood and non-composite wood is longevity. Joes Farm is starting to see some deterioration on the older fields after one year. That is the trade off that has to be made.
Just thinking out loud right now, I think another option would be to head on over to Patterson Park and chop down a Horse Chestnut or a Babylon Weeping Willow. That might present some logistical issues and I don't imagine you have access to a saw mill. Good brain storm. Any how, my suggestion to you would be to look into some Premium Douglas Fir, Pine, or Maple from the local hardware store.
Happy farming to Larson & Sons Farm and all of the other Joes Farm Fans.
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Dear Joe's Farm, thanks for the valuable insight and recommendation. I like your 'green' option of going with untreated, natural planks. It seems to stay inline with your organic approach to farming.
ReplyDeleteHi Joe,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be starting a Jim's Farm in a week or two. I'll be rejuvenating a 20x30 plot of land that was formerly a vegetable garden, but has been lawn for 5 years. Rhubarb still persists every year, I'm told. I suspect the soil is still good, but I'm wondering if you and/or your readers have any advice for the Northeast?