Should I use railroad ties in my garden?
When it comes to landscaping, railroad ties, it seems, can do it all. Increasingly, railroad ties are being used in combination with brick, sand, concrete, large rocks or gravel to create modern landscaping designs that have both a traditional and contemporary feel.
How to build raised garden beds with railroad ties?
- Direct exposure to the chemical compounds could lead to serious skin burns.
- Inhaling causes lung irritation and could lead to serious respiratory complications.
- It leads to eye irritation, excessive eye-watering and might require medical attention in cases of long exposure to it.
- Ingesting the material could lead to liver and kidney issues.
Can you use railroad ties for raised garden beds?
Using railroad ties for garden beds can pose a threat to your soil, pets and children, as well as the food you grow. Railroad ties are thick, durable, cheap, recycled wood that forms long-lasting barriers for beds, paths, and retaining walls. You see them everywhere and many consider their distressed appearance naturally attractive.
How to secure landscape railroad ties?
insert a washer and a nut over the carriage bolt and tighten down. You will now have a certified child safe counter sunk bolt holding your landscape tie. Whe you want to remove the whole shebang, simply unscrew the bolts, lift the landscape ties away and cut off the exposed carriage bolts.
Are railroad ties good for landscaping?
Even though some home centers still sell recovered railroad ties, they are not fit for home landscapes. If your landscape came with ties installed by a previous owner, consider removing them and any contaminated soil.
What can I use instead of railroad ties for landscaping?
Pressure-treated lumber is the closest alternative to railroad ties for landscaping your garden and creating planters.
How long will a railroad tie last in the ground?
What are treated railroad ties? Treated railroad ties, crossties or wooden sleepers are made primarily from wood and then treated with a preservative so they can last 30 years or more.
Do railroad ties contaminate soil?
Repurposed railroad ties may seem like a fun idea, but they are often contaminated with creosote. Wood treated with creosote may contain high concentrations several years after treatment. Creosote from treated wood can leach into the soil, or volatilize.
Do railroad ties get termites?
Use of insecticides like borates (disodium octaborate tetrahydrate) and/or pressure-treated wood (chromated copper arsenate) protect against termites and wood decay fungi. However, over time, even railroad ties, telephone poles and pressure treated wood can be subject to termite attack.
Are there untreated railroad ties?
New railroad ties are usually untreated with no need for any chemical treatment. Used railroad ties are mostly treated. Even though the used railroad ties are untreated, they can occasionally be deposits of oil or diesel on the surfaces, which maybe have fallen from passing trains over the years.
How heavy is an 8 foot railroad tie?
An average wooden railroad tie weighs about 200 pounds but can range from between 100 and 300 lbs. depending on size, wood type, and age. A typical 8'6″ tie made of oak will often weigh about 200 pounds while softer woods will weigh less. Older ties will tend to be more dried out and weigh less.
How do you anchor a railroad tie to the ground?
4:3210:37How to Landscape with Railroad Ties - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn through the other one as well locking the two together and then hammering it down a couple feetMoreIn through the other one as well locking the two together and then hammering it down a couple feet into the ground as well so this really holds nicely.
Are old railroad ties toxic?
Railroad ties are treated with chemical preservatives, such as creosote and chromated copper arsenate. Both of these chemicals are banned for residential use, and they're potentially harmful to humans and plants.
Can I use railroad ties for a retaining wall?
A Deadman railroad tie is a railroad tie that runs perpendicular to the retaining wall and into the hill that you are building the retaining wall against. Deadman ties are great for ensuring the retaining wall is as solid as possible. We recommend using a deadman railroad tie every 20 feet of your retaining wall.
How do you seal railroad ties?
When cracks or splits are in your railway ties, use a wood filler product to seal those openings. As with all projects that involve wood treated with creosote -- as railway ties generally are, take extra precautions to protect your health.
What can I do with old railroad ties?
The safest way to get rid of any leftover railroad ties is to dispose of them in a landfill. Most states in the U.S. have certain regulated landfills that accept railroad ties. As your first step, you must get in touch with your area's local landfill.
What is railroad tie?
Railroad ties are thick, durable, cheap, recycled wood that forms long-lasting barriers for beds, paths, and retaining walls. You see them everywhere and many consider their distressed appearance naturally attractive. The wood is preserved by soaking it in creosote, which is composed of over 300 chemicals, many of them toxic and persistent in soil.
What to do if wood ties break?
Wear long sleeves and pants, a mask, eye protection, and thick gloves. If the wood is likely to break apart, consult with a professional team that can ensure removal of all the pieces safely. Once the ties are out, they should be disposed of. Whatever you do, don’t burn the ties!
Is railroad ties safe for gardening?
Image by PaulMaguire. Railroad ties are common in older landscapes, but are old railroad ties safe for gardening? Railroad ties are treated wood , steeped in a toxic stew of chemicals, chief of which is creosote. You can find old railroad ties for sale even at garden centers, which makes the question confusing.
Can you use pressure treated lumber to build retaining walls?
You can try using a pressure treated product from your local lumber store but, honestly, these will contain potentially hazardous chemicals. A safer option is to use pavers or rocks to build retaining walls. In an abundance of caution, the rocks seem the safest choice, as they are of the earth and have no toxicity.
Do you burn railroad ties?
Whatever you do, don’t burn the ties! This releases toxic gases that can be even more dangerous than simple topical contamination. The railroad ties in vegetable gardens that are so common as raised bed barriers pose the worst threat. In these areas, the soil should definitely be removed to a depth of several inches.
Can you use bark mulch to cover a two foot wide garden?
You can use non-dyed wood chips or bark mulch to cover the two-foot-wide walking lanes between the beds, but nothing weirdly colored or bad smelling. Then you'll be growing in clean soil for sure. And there won't be contaminated soil or sawdust blowing around for people to inhale or otherwise come into contact with.
Is it illegal to use old railroad ties?
So it's actually illegal to use old railroad ties in a home landscape.
Is railroad ties legal in Maryland?
Railroad Ties are NOT Legal for Home Landscape Use. Q: Pattie writes: "I recently bought a house just over the Pennsylvania border in Maryland. The previous owner had many garden beds, and the one he used for vegetables had old timbers surrounding it that looked questionable.
Can you use creosote treated wood for landscaping?
There are no approved residential uses of creosote treated wood. The Agency is aware that creosote-treated railroad ties are being used in the residential setting for landscape purposes and as a border ...
How to make a railroad ties garden?
Make sure it’s level. Cut the railroad ties to the desired length using a saw. Lay the ties in the trench in a row, making sure there’s no space between each tie end and the one next to it.
What is railroad tie made of?
The problem with railroad ties is that they’re often made from treated wood. That type of wood has been used for railroad tracks since John Stevens, the father of American railroads, went into business.
What is CCA in railroad ties?
Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) As if creosote in railroad ties was not enough to deter insects and give the wood ties durability, another chemical compound was added while processing the wood ties. That compound is chromated copper arsenate.
What is the best material to use for a raised garden bed?
Fill the gaps between the ties with the excess soil. Make sure the wood ties are made from untreated wood. Cedar is an ideal candidate for building raised beds in your garden. It’s durable and has a high resistance to mites and the erosion of the elements.
Can you grow fruit trees in railroad ties?
Not so fast. Before you consider growing any edible fruit trees or veggies in your garden, you should have the soil tested first. The tests would indicate how much contamination is still in the soil. According to the EPA guidelines, you should never plant anything in soil that had railroad ties planted in it before.
Is it safe to use old railroad ties?
And since they’re made of elements that occur in nature and pose no health risk to humans or animals, they’re by far a safer option to old railroad ties. Barn Beams: The main attraction that old railroad ties offered to gardeners and developers alike were that they were cheap and ready for recycling.
Can you burn railroad ties?
Also, the sawdust resulting from cutting the ties off is too dangerous to inhale. Another thing you should never do with the pile of railroad ties in your garden is burn them.
What is the closest alternative to railroad ties?
Alternatives for Landscaping. Pressure-treated lumber is the closest alternative to railroad ties for landscaping your garden and creating planters. The problem is that this lumber is also not recommended for use in creating planters, particularly for growing vegetables or any other edible items. Although free of creosote, it's treated ...
What is the best material for planter retaining walls?
For safer planter retaining walls, pavers and rocks tend to be a good choice. Natural options rather than man-made blocks of cement can be both stronger and safer in terms of contamination. You can also find safe wooden options to create planters, but different types of wood come with different issues.
Can you use creosote on railroad ties?
However, old railroad ties were treated with creosote to help preserve them during their long stints outside. Today, creosote is not approved for residential use. Finding alternatives to railroad ties for use in your garden is key to safe and beautiful landscaping.
Does Hunker make money from railroad ties?
Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. There are many alternatives to railroad ties. In the past, some people favored old recycled railway ties as a way of landscaping their garden. They're cost effective and were thought to be a positive environmental choice thanks to their reused nature.
Is it dangerous to burn old railroad ties?
This makes the installation of railroad ties very dangerous and also causes issues for gardening with railroad ties. Advertisement. Creosote poses problems for inhalation as well. This is particularly prevalent if you burn old railroad ties to dispose of them, but it can also be an issue with garden railroad ties in extremes of heat.
Can you put railroad tie steppers over gravel?
They can often be placed over turf or gravel, making them fairly easy to install. You can also create walkways using pebbles and adhesive. If you enjoy the look of a walkway made with railroad tie steppers, the best alternative is another wooden material that's also treated to protect it from moisture and foot traffic.
Can railroad ties be used to grow vegetables?
Using railroad ties to create beds to grow vegetables can also contaminate any items you grow. For these reasons, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not approve railroad ties for domestic use. Advertisement.
How big are railroad ties?
Railroad Ties are used for landscape boarders, steps, planters and much more. Our Railroad Ties are 6 1/2″ x 9″ x 8′ 5″ and weigh approximately 80 pounds. They are treated and will last for years in most environments.
What are railroad ties graded as?
Railroad Ties are replaced by all the rail road companies on a regular basis. The Rail Ties once removed are graded as A, B, or C then sold in lots.
Why are B grade ties not desirable in Florida?
B grade ties coming out of Florida will not be as desirable as B grade from the Carolina’s because of the exposure to the intense sun in Florida. Because of our relationship with the rail road we are able to offer the best B grade ties available.
