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Pressure-Treated Lumber in Vegetable Beds: ACQ and MCA Are Safe

Old CCA-treated wood raised concerns. Modern ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) and MCA (micronized copper azole, e.g., YellaWood) are considered safe for food gardens. Review the ACQ human health risk evaluation (linked) and decide. The author is comfortable using ACQ/MCA near vegetables.

raised bed using ACQ wood

About Gardening: Troubleshooting Wilting Tomato, Cucumber, Squash Seedlings; Mushrooms in Raised Beds? Harmless. Cantaloupe Taking Over? Redirect Vines.; Vegetable Gardening Basics: Grow Better Food for Less Money; Starting a Vegetable Garden: A Beginner's Guide to Planning, Planting, and Harvesting; Vegetable Gardening for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Growing Your Own Food; Planning a Vegetable Garden: Soil, Layout & Companion Planting; Is Pressure-Treated Lumber Safe for Raised Garden Beds?; Tilling Rye Cover Crop: Mow 3 Weeks Before Planting; Using Weed Cloth in Vegetable Gardens: A Proven Technique; Pre-Emergent Herbicide Options for Vegetable Gardens

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