What paint for raised vegetable garden bed?

[TraceyO]

This is a strange request but I am trying to find a low/no VOC external paint. The paint is to be used on raised outdoor vegetable garden beds. Obviously these beds produce food and I want to make sure the paint is not leeching into the soil over time and exposing the produce to unsafe chemicals. Does anyone know which paint would be best please?  Thanks Tracey

[EricL]

Hello @TraceyO 

Thanks for sharing that very interesting question. Please allow us to contact our supplier regarding your query. As soon as we get more information, we'll get back to you.

Thank you for your patience.

Eric

[MitchellMc]

Hi @TraceyO,

Once Dulux Weathershield cures, as with many water-based paints, they stop off-gassing VOC's. It's typically only in the wet painting stage that they emit these chemicals. If you are particularly worried, you can always line the inside of the garden beds with Builder's plastic so the soil doesn't come in contact with the timber.

Mitchell

[TraceyO]

Hi Mitchell,
Thank you for your response. The only issue with lining the insides is that I would have to pierce holes for drainage so it defeats the purpose of using it. I am happy to use the Dulux but will maybe just use it on the outside of the planter boxes. I notice that Taubmans Solar Shield says "safe for drinking water collection" - is the Dulux Weathershield safe for drinking water collection too?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @TraceyO,

I'd go with the Taubmans since it's safe for drinking water, and Dulux does not specify that it is.

Typically, it's a good idea to line the inside of a garden bed with plastic to help prevent rot, and yes, you would add drainage holes to the bottom. What type of timber are you using?  

Mitchell

[mich1972]

I’m no expert on paint but I do agree with Mitch, regarding lining the raised beds if needed , would be interested to know what timber is being used. To be honest and this is just my opinion. I wouldn’t paint them at all, just keep them natural. Good luck with your project 😀🌿

[TraceyO]

Great thank you I will line them. Do you have a link to the proper lining to purchase from Bunnings?  I am using Tanolith-E treated pine sleepers from Bunnings in Tasmania. The timber is TimberLink timber and according to both Bunnings and Timberlink it is safe for vegetable planters. 

[TraceyO]

Hi Mitch,
I am using treated pine sleepers from Bunnings. They are Tanolith-E treated so safe for use in vegetable garden beds. I think I will leave them unpainted rather than risk a paint seeping issue over years. Very basic design (meaning all the cuts were done at Bunnings) and using outdoor castors so they can be shifted around. 

[TraceyO]

[MitchellMc]

That's great @TraceyO, I just wanted to ensure you weren't using CCA-treated timber. 

Since they are H4-treated, there is no need to line the inside, but you can do so with Builder's plastic.

Mitchell